The Honors College curriculum meets the
university's requirements as an academic minor, therefore, students in the
Honors College are not required to enroll in a minor unless they so choose to
do so. However, students enrolled in the Honors College must complete the
curriculum in its entirety to receive credit for the minor and to graduate with
Honors Distinction. Faculty from various disciplines on our campus helped to
design a curriculum that stimulates intellectual growth and curiosity, develops
special talents and interests, and provides a challenging academic environment
to challenge of your abilities.
FIRST YEAR*
Honors Colloquium (3
credits
)
The colloquium is theme-based, interdisciplinary course providing students the
opportunity to get to know each other and transition to a college-level
classroom experience. The small course size permits special emphasis on a
particular topic or theme, honing students' critical thinking and group
discussion skills.
Research Methods and Case Studies (3 credits)
The course offers a comprehensive introduction
to research proposal writing, methodologies, and foundational theories and
protocols necessary for creating an undergraduate thesis or capstone project in
the final year of honors. Students will have the opportunity to apply their
foundational knowledge to specific case studies.
*Current, Rutgers University-Newark students who are newly admitted to the Honors
College are permitted to waive their first year (6) credits if they have
declared minor prior to acceptance.
SECOND AND THIRD YEAR
Honors Seminar in
Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science (6 credits)
Honors seminars provide students opportunities for intellectual exploration,
as well as an introduction to advanced techniques in critical analysis,
research, projects, or fieldwork. The seminar topics varies from semester to
semester, enabling students to choose from a variety of subjects or a single,
project-based learning seminar.
FOURTH YEAR
The Capstone Experience
All students culminate their undergraduate experience with a yearlong effort
through an accelerated undergraduate/graduate program, department senior
thesis, or the Honors College Thesis/Capstone Project. The capstone experience,
and preceding honors curriculum, is designed to provide faculty-mentored
undergraduate research to prepare honors students for graduate or professional
education.
If a student elects the
Honors College Thesis/Capstone Project (7 credits), an honors prospectus is
required prior to completing an undergraduate thesis or capstone project with their
designated faculty committee members. After the prospectus is approved by the
Honors College, the student will complete their thesis or capstone project over
two, consecutive semesters. In the final semester, every honors student must
orally present their thesis or project at a campuswide event and submit their
finalized manuscript (or project) to the Honors College for archival purposes.
The faculty committee members are responsible for providing an evaluation and
letter grade for 21:525:497 and 21:525:498 to the Honors College.
HONORS SECTIONS OF NEWARK CORE CURRICULUM
Honors English
Composition (6 credits)
A two-semester long writing course that instructs students in writing analytic,
text-based essays and that culminates in research-based papers. Honors English
Composition insists on computer and information literacy. The course also
provides opportunities for collaborative projects as well as oral presentation.
This course may be used to satisfy the English Composition degree requirement for
the Newark Core Curriculum.
Honors History and
Literature (9 credits)
Members of the history department work together with members of the English or modern languages departments to define common themes, complementary texts, and
contrasting perspectives on topics such as "The History and Literature of
Race in America," "The History and Literature of Portugal,"
"The History and Literature of Class in America," "The History
and Literature of Spain," and "The History and Literature of American
Immigrations." The courses may be used to fulfill the history and literature
degree requirement for Newark Core Curriculum.
Honors College 
