Honors Program
The Monroe University Honors Program provides opportunities for the University’s most academically accomplished students to engage in advanced academic work and to participate in a shared intellectual experience with our most distinguished professors and guest lecturers. Students from all disciplines are welcome to apply to the Monroe University Honors Program, either as prospective students through the admissions process or as continuing students by application to the Honors Director. As Honors Program members, students earn Honors units by taking specially designed, multidisciplinary Honors courses, non-credit Honors courses, Honors sections of general education or major area courses, and participating in Honors Experiential Learning Activities.
There are several pathways to earn distinction as an Honors Program graduate.
Traditional Associate-Level Track
To earn distinction as an Honors Program graduate at the Associate level, students must earn a minimum of ten (10) Honors units:
- Successfully complete HN-150 The Honors Experience (3 Honors units);
- Successfully complete two (2) Honors Multidisciplinary course(s) or Honors section(s) of a General Education or Major-Area course(s) or complete Honors Enhancements in approved non-honors courses (6 Honors units);
- Participate in a minimum of one (1) Honors Experiential Activity, which may include community service activities/volunteer activities, participation in a national or regional Honors conference, participation in a Joint Honors Project, or participation in Honors Book Club. After each activity, students will journal about their experience in the Honors Program Organization on Blackboard (1 Honors unit);
- Have an exit interview with an Honors Board member (unless the student is moving onto to complete Honors on the Bachelor's level); and
- Have a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
Traditional Bachelor-Level Track
To earn distinction as an Honors Program graduate at the Bachelor’s level, students must earn a minimum of twenty-one (21) Honors units:
- Successfully complete HN-150 The Honors Experience (3 Honors units);
- Successfully complete four (4) other Honors Multidisciplinary course(s) or Honors section(s) of a General Education or Major-Area course(s); students may also be eligible to complete Honors Enhancements in approved non-honors courses (12 Honors units);
- Successfully complete HN-450 Honors Program Research Seminar and create a portfolio page to document the experience (3 Honors units);
- Participate in a minimum of three (3) Honors Experiential Activities, which may include community service activities/volunteer activities, participation in a national or regional Honors conference, participation in a Joint Honors Project, or participation in Honors Book Club. After each activity, students will journal about their experiences in the Honors Program Organization on Blackboard (3 Honors units);
- Have an exit interview with an Honors Board Member; and
- Have a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
Associate Flex-Pathway Track
- Successfully complete : HN-093 Honors Program First Year Seminar I, HN-094 Honors Program First Year Seminar II, and HN-095 Honors Program Second Year Seminar (3 Honors units);
- Successfully complete two (2) Honors Multidisciplinary course(s) or Honors section(s) of a General Education or Major-Area course(s) or complete Honors Enhancements in two approved non-honors courses (6 Honors units);
- Participate in a minimum of one (1) Honors Experiential Activity, which may include community service activities/volunteer activities, participation in a national or regional Honors conference, participation in a Joint Honors Project, or participation in Honors Book Club. After each activity, students will journal about their experience in the Honors Program Organization on Blackboard (1 Honors unit);
- Have an exit interview with an Honors Board member (unless the student is moving onto to complete Honors on the Bachelor's level); and
- Have a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
Bachelor Flex-Pathway Track
- Successfully complete HN-093 Honors Program First Year Seminar I, HN-094 Honors Program First Year Seminar II, and HN-095 Honors Program Second Year Seminar (3 Honors units);
- Successfully complete four (4) Honors Multidisciplinary course(s) or Honors section(s) of a General Education or Major-Area course(s) or complete Honors Enhancements in two approved non-honors courses (6 Honors units);
- Participate in a minimum of three (3) Honors Experiential Activity, which may include community service activities/volunteer activities, participation in a national or regional Honors conference, participation in a Joint Honors Project, or participation in Honors Book Club. After each activity, students will journal about their experiences in the Honors Program Organization on Blackboard (1 Honors unit);
- Have an exit interview with an Honors Board member (unless the student is moving onto to complete Honors on the Bachelor's level); and
- Have a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
All Honors Diploma candidates will be reviewed by the Honors Director. The Director will verify and approve that candidates satisfactorily completed all requirements of the Honors Program. Upon approval, the Honors Diploma will be conferred. Student transcripts and digital diplomas bear the Honors distinction, and graduates are recognized at commencement. An Honors diploma is distinct from Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), and Honors students may also earn an Honors diploma with Latin honors.
All questions regarding the Monroe University Honors Program, including admission, may be directed to Kathryn MacDonald, Director of the Monroe University Honors Program, at kmacdonald@monroeu.edu or by phone at (914) 740-6452.
Undergraduate
HN - Honors
The following courses have been designed by the Monroe University Honors Board, and therefore bear the distinction of “HN.” These courses are of an interdisciplinary nature, exposing students to various subject matters within humanities and the liberal arts.
HN-092 - Honors Program Experiential Seminar (0 cr)
The Monroe University Honors Program works to instill the thirst for "lifelong learning." Learning can happen in many different environments and settings. Therefore, this course seeks to maximize student experiential learning outside of the classroom. Any student who wishes to enroll in this course must receive pre-approval from the Honors Program Director. There are various pathways in this course, including the following: 1. Undergraduate Research or Creative Activity - Students may propose a research project or creative activity that will accrue 80-120 hours of work. 2. Service Learning - Students who engage in regular community service or volunteer work (at least 80-120 hours in a semester) may propose this experience (note-community service offerings through the Honors Program do not count toward the hours). 3. Field Experience - Students who must complete non-paid, mandatory field requirements for their degrees (80-120 hours in a semester) may propose this experience. 4. Internship - Students who wish to take on a non-major related internship or internship in addition to the major-required internship (80-120 hours in a semester) may propose this experience. 5. Study Abroad - Students who receive approval to study through the College's Study Aboard Program (80-120 hours in a semester) may propose this experience. This is a non-credit course but successful completion will result in earning three (3) honors units toward the honors diploma. Alongside the work being done outside of the classroom, students will engage in the course in the online envrionment to cultivate a multitude of skills, including problem solving, effective communication, taking initative, demonstrating leadership, and more. Through guided critical reflection and intentionally crafted assignments, students will draw connections between their experience and what they have learned in the Honors Program. The course will culminate with a tangible product that showcases the value of the experience.
HN-093 - Honors Program First Year Seminar I (0 cr)
HN-094 - Honors Program First Year Seminar II (0 cr)
HN-095 - Honors Program Second Year Seminar (0 cr)
HN-150 - The Honors Experience (3 cr)
This introductory Honors course is required for all students in the Honors Program. It utilizes New York City as a basis for interdisciplinary study of politics, economics, transportation, demographics, science and technology, labor, culture and the arts. The specific themes studied vary each academic year. The course requires extensive reading and writing assignments in conjunction with field trips and site visits to complement coursework. It culminates in the presentation of a final research project.
HN-160 - Decades: A Cultural Exploration (3 cr)
This interdisciplinary thematic course explores turbulent decades that changed the United States of America through the Humanities, Affairs of State, Social Interactions, and Class Culture. With music as the guiding thread, students tour tumultuous times throughout history, and explore how the events of those times now affect their lives. Guest lecturers with particular expertise and experiences will offer their perspectives during the semester. Students complete reading assignments, participate in classroom discussions, take part in site visits, and conduct research on pertinent aspects of the decade being studied.
Designation: Humanities, Social Science
HN-165 - Decoding Secret Messages (3 cr)
This interdisciplinary course examines the art of secret messages sent throughout history and challenges students to develop the skills to create secret messages. Students are exposed to basic algebra concepts essential to this art. Additionally, other interdisciplinary skills, like writing and analytical thinking, are honed to understand encryption and decryption. Every day, thousands of messages are sent - subliminally through commercials, as shortcuts in text messages, and via live conversations with colleagues. While messages are most often understood as verbatim, messages can be coded so that only people with decoding knowledge could decipher them. The course begins in Ancient Rome, moving through the Revolutionary War, and working all the way up to modern-day secret messages in media. The course also focuses on Alan Turing's contribution to decoding messages and his ability to crack the enigma machine during World War II. The course shows students that there is more to communication than meets the eye.
Designation: Social Science
HN-240 - The Art and Culture of World Dance (3 cr)
This course explores the cultural heritage, social mores, religious influences, and history of three geographic locations through the medium of dance. Students study the function of dance as an art and as a lens for the society around it. Choreography and performance are central components of this interdisciplinary course.
Designation: Humanities, Fine Arts
HN-243 - The World of Modern Art (3 cr)
Students explore the multifaceted world of modern art in this survey course that examines the transitions and innovations of arts from realism to what is known as today's modern art. With a foundation in art history, students come to understand how fine art as a field has developed. The course also will undertake understanding and appreciating the creative process. Yet another lens of the course looks at art from a scholarly and critical perspective. As part of this interdisciplinary course, students are asked to engage in the process of creativity and develop several pieces of finished art work.
Designation: Humanities, Fine Arts
HN-245 - Hip Hop: Origins, Culture, and Soul (3 cr)
This course introduces students to the multifaceted world of hip hop. Hip Hop has a rich history, and students will start with the birth of this dynamic genre of music. The emergence and evolution of subsequent Hip Hop culture are examined. The influences of Hip Hop are embedded in many historical and cultural events, including the emergence of Afro-American people and black solidarity movements, both in terms of the cultural roots and routes of Afro-Latino, Caribbean, and indigenous influences on African American expressions.
Designation: Humanities
HN-250 - The American Presidency (3 cr)
Decisions made in the White House have started and ended wars, caused and cured economic crises, and expanded and contracted human rights. The role of the presidency today is remarkably different than when George Washington first took the oath of office in 1789. Using the careers of a select roster of U.S. presidents, students explore concepts of leadership and human dynamics in the political arena and examine how these presidents contributed to pivotal points in American history.
Designation: Social Science
HN-260 - Human Rights Movements in History (3 cr)
This interdisciplinary course uses the study of the Holocaust to investigate causes and lessons of other modern genocides. Readings, films, field trips, and guest lecturers offer students a range of perspectives. Students discuss and research genocidal conditions and responses. The course culminates in a final presentation reflecting students'' own investigation and analyses. This course fosters the development of a community of scholars, guiding them to become global citizens and "up standers" for social justice.
Designation: Social Science
HN-265 - Introduction to Ethics (3 cr)
Introduction to Ethics is a study of the basic theories, methods, and problems of moral philosophy. Topics include the study of the moral theories of Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, and Rawls; the relationship of ethics and morality to religious belief; morality and evolution; the nature and meaning of moral terms; moral absolutism and relativism; egoism and altruism; the nature of moral reasoning; conceptions of the good life; free will and moral responsibility.
Designation: Humanities
HN-270 - Contemporary Literary Genres (3 cr)
This course allows students to engage in an in-depth exploration of a particular literary genre. These genres may include, but are not limited to: the evolution of the vampire in fiction, evolving ideas in science fiction, romance, mystery and crime, or historical fiction. Students study the chosen genre with a critical lens, learn how the genre came into existence, its richness, and its impact and implications.
Prerequisite: EN-121
Designation: Humanities
HN-314 - World-Changing Discoveries (3 cr)
In all aspects of science and technology, the goal of innovation has been to improve the quality of life. This course covers the evolution of science and technological progress and its perennial impact on social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics. An important objective of the course is a review of the contributions of principal investigators who are responsible for the major breakthroughs that have shaped society; attention is given to the practical and everyday results of these advances.
Designation: Social Science
HN-320 - Process Philosophy: The World Becoming (3 cr)
This course examines the changes in physical science, which have created the need for a new way of examining metaphysics. Students will examine the historical shift from Newtonian physics to the theories of Einstein and Georges LeMaitre, creating the need for a new way of examining metaphysics and cosmology. Students will research the philosophical theories of Alfred North Whitehead, Charles Hartshorne, John Cobb and others with the goal of understanding the need for building a more cooperative, thoughtful, spiritual, and environmentally secure future.
Designation: Humanities, Fine Arts
HN-350 - Comparative Urbanism (3 cr)
This interdisciplinary advanced honors course challenges the student to understand the dynamic relationship of spatial organization and constructed environments to politics, economics, cultures, demographics, technology, and societies. Students study the changing forms of three cities over time and analyze how people have recreated urban life through time and across cultures. Students may pursue detailed research in realms such as planning, architecture, urban social and economic relations, political influences on housing and urban development, influence of changing populations, history, and environmental issues. Prerequisite: Junior Standing.
Designation: Social Science
HN-450 - Honors Program Research Seminar (3 cr)
This upper division seminar is a required capstone experience for Bachelor's students enrolled in the Monroe College Honors Program. One goal of this course is to prepare students for graduate-level research. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor and within the context of the seminar's theme, students develop research questions, an annotated bibliography, an assessment of the sources, and a literature review. At the end of the semester, the seminar culminates in the submission and defense of a research proposal describing an original research project the student could one day undertake. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.
Designation: Research Intensive, Writing Intensive