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Variety of Course Offerings
Integrated Courses:
Integrated courses are offered to freshmen students during their first fall semester at Gallaudet. Integrated courses combine two courses sharing a common theme, such as Identity and self. This approach allows students to engage in critical dialectics and relate ideas between fields, as well as apply them to real-world problems. In this approach, subjects are not viewed as disparate but rather, they are viewed as complementary and lead students to explore a wider range of thought. These courses open the doors for students seeking to enter a rapidly changing and interconnected world where facts and theories may change, but the need for thinking remains constant and important. Completion of these courses is required for most students seeking General Studies Honors (exceptions will be dealt with on an a case-by-case basis).
Honors Seminar courses (HON 495) build on what students learn in courses, and take the critical thinking and interdisciplinary concept to higher levels. These courses do not cover general studies requirements, but continue the process of bringing together multiple disciplines in order to compel students to apply their learning and thinking skills, and analyze specific problems in depth. Completion of these courses is required for students seeking Capstone Honors; these courses may also be taken by students seeking General Studies Honors.
General Studies Courses:
General Studies courses are offered by Honors faculty to help students complete their Honors and General Studies requirements by learning about a discipline while applying Honors-level thinking to their course work. Such courses also take a critical approach to coursework by promoting discussions and application of what students are learning toward use in the world around them. Completion of these courses is required for students seeking General Studies Honors.
Honors Option:
Honors Option courses allow students to enroll in any course and receive Honors credits. Students may add an Honors Option for a general course section with the consent of the course instructor. Honors Option contracts allow students to complete additional work or modify course requirements in order to facilitate increased learning opportunities.
Honors Options may involve writing an end-of-semester paper; other times, it may involve several smaller papers throughout the semester; some may provide opportunities for students to present the results of their research; others may provide opportunities for students to get their writing published. Also, contract options in the past have allowed the student to arrange a special fieldtrip for classmates, such as a private tour of a research laboratory or an art museum workshop. Such contracts allow students and professors to tailor courses according to individual goals, needs, and preference. Students are encouraged to add such course options toward the completion of both General Studies and Capstone Honors.
Independent Study Courses:
Independent Study courses are offered by faculty members on a voluntary basis to students who seek to further develop their knowledge in a specific discipline. These courses are generally limited to interaction between one professor and one student. The student and the professor work together on assignments and discussions agreed upon for that semester. Such courses may count as an Honors course if the Honors Director and the professor both agree. Independent study requires a lot of trust between student and professor; and is typically more ideal for students beyond the freshman year.
Honors Capstone Development and Completion:
The Honors Capstone Development and Completion courses (HON 487 and HON 488) are offered to juniors and seniors who are seeking to complete their Honors Capstone Project (a.k.a. their thesis). These courses allow students to design and implement original research; research methods, academic integrity, and analytical writing are emphasized. Students who complete these courses may submit their work for professional publication, or may seek to develop their project further following graduation. Completion of these courses is a requirement for students seeking Capstone Honors.
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