In this sophomore-level directed study, students are challenged to apply the knowledge and research skills acquired in their freshman year in the Honors Program. Students work individually with the faculty member leading the Directed Study Abroad class on a mutually-agreed-upon study topic. Students present summaries of their research before a meeting of Honors Program students and faculty held at the end of each semester or at another public forum. This course will be held abroad in a pre-selected country.
NOTE: Additional special fees exist for travel and study abroad administration. Please see the Associate Dean/Program Administrator for specific information.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
The Honors directed study aims to deepen students' interests in topics while strengthening their research and oral presentation skills as a way of preparing them for continued studies at transfer institutions. The Honors Directed Study Abroad class will further introduce students to foreign study and global cultures through the intensive study of and in a specific country.
- Vary by academic field and discipline of the Honors Program (Honors Program faculty leading the Directed Study Abroad, but will be focused on important subjects relevant to the host country of the Honors Program Directed Study Abroad).
- Course objectives determined by the individual instructor and stipulated in a written "Student Contract." See Course Requirements below for detailed steps.
Assessment and Requirements
- Student produces agreed upon project(s), including a journal to be kept abroad, participation in discussions and field trips, and a final project to be finished not later than the midterm of the Fall Term following the study abroad.
- Student writes a 400 word (maximum) abstract summarizing the project for distribution to the Honors Day Student Presentation assembly held at the end of the semester or makes a formal presentation of his/her research before a public forum.
The faculty leading the Directed Study Abroad will determine the assignments and projects the student will undertake in collaboration with the student. The instructor will draw up a “contract” (using the basic outlines of a course syllabus). The HP Directed Study Abroad contract will stipulate what is expected of both the instructor and the student in terms of readings, project goal, journal, and the specific due dates for completion of the readings and the project(s). It is highly recommended that due dates be determined for various stages of the project in addition to the final completion date, so that the student may receive critical feedback as well as avoid procrastination. The instructor presents a progress report and distributes the contract to a meeting of Honors faculty upon return from the Directed Study Abroad. Students enrolled in Honors Directed Study Abroad will read at least one influential work in the discipline of the instructor offering the Directed Study Abroad. An “influential work” is a work that has had a major impact on the discipline or on scholarship in general. At the discretion of the instructor, the student will read the work in whole or in part. The purpose of this requirement is to introduce students to the seminal figures in various disciplines as well as the nature, rigor, and breadth of scholarly works. Working under the supervision of the Honors Directed Study Abroad instructor, students also will work on a project(s) that will engage his/her analytical and research skills as well as result in a tangible outcome or product. The outcome may be a written paper, or any other tangible product suitable to the particular discipline of the student with the approval of the Directed Study Abroad instructor (technical projects, creative writing, studio art, musical recital, audio or visual works, experimental research projects, business plans, etc.) and will include a substantial focus on the thematic matter particular to the country in which the Honors Directed Study Abroad is held.