HONORS 110-303/ Fall 2008/ Dr. Bill Atwill

Honors 110 -

The Honors 110 course has two key components that are intended to prepare honors students for their academic career at UNCW. 

• The first component is the academic preparation for a four year process that will culminate in the Honors Thesis.  This component includes an emphasis on critical/analytic thinking skills; how to assess and use information appropriately and within the boundaries of academic honesty, morality and responsibility; and systematic evaluation of how students communicate ideas in both oral and written formats. 
• The second component is the community development/service component.  The Honors Program is committed to the idea of membership in a community and service to that community.  Honors students work hard to achieve their own goals but they also work to serve others and in doing so promote the interests of the broader community as part of their own self-interests and concerns (as many scholars contribute to their communities as a consequence of their work).  In order to achieve these goals Honors 110 orients students to the University, its structure and how it functions while simultaneously introducing students to the college experience by direct involvement in service and leadership activities.  Thus, as part of this seminar students will participate in on and off campus experiences related to producing students who are academically excellent, culturally experienced and service oriented.

What we will be doing

·         Orienting you to the idea of a “University” in general and to UNCW specifically

·         Understand more about UNCW, its organization, mission and traditions

·         Explore the meaning of being an educated person.

·         Examine the impact of modern higher education on students in the U.S.

·         Explore meanings of community as it relates to the university, to academic disciplines, and to the community at large.

·         Experience and discuss a variety of learning methods besides lectures including discussion, demonstrations, exercises, field experience research and writing

·         Develop the ability to read critically and communicate clearly, both orally and in writing

·         Demonstrate the ability to lead a seminar

·         Demonstrate the ability to work with a group as well as individually

·         Prepare and present an individual oral presentation

·         Demonstrate knowledge of UNCW resources and skill in using these resources

·         Critically analyze information sources

·         Foster a sense of community among honors scholars at UNCW

·         Explore your goals for your college experience