Honors Program in General EducationWeb: honors.gmu.edu FacultyAlbanese, Alligood, Daniel Anderson, Bakhash, Bristol, Burr, Burton, Butler, Carton, Jane Censer, Cheng, R. Clark (director), Dakake, DeCaroli, Deshmukh, Ehrlich, Francescato, Geller, Gessner, Gifford, Haines, Harbour, Hodges, Holt, Irvine, Jacobs, Jann (associate director), Johnsen-Neshati, D. Kaplan, Karush, Kaufmann, Kelso, Koch, Levy, Mandes, Mattusch, McFerson, Metcalf, Olds, C. Owens, J. Paden, Palkovich, Radner, Roan, Roman-Mendoza, Rutledge, Sachs, Samuelian, Saperstone, Seligmann, Struppa, Taciuch, Tangney,Taylor, Todd, Walnut, Wan, Wilkins, Yadav, Zagarri Course WorkThe Honors Program in General Education offers all course work designated HNRS in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog. Honors ProgramThe Honors Program in General Education provides highly qualified students with an integrated foundation for their future studies. The program consists of a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that satisfies university-wide general education requirements for graduation and prepares students for their majors. Although administered by the College of Arts and Sciences, the program is open to students from all undergraduate schools and colleges. The program's courses are intended for students who are willing to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and make connections that transcend the limits of conventional subjects. Through intensive discussion in small classes led by out standing faculty members, students learn to probe the foundations of knowledge, develop new skills in addressing complex issues, and think independently, imaginatively, and ethically. The program offers students special access to the technical, intellectual, and artistic resources of the university and the national capital region and seeks to develop among its students a sense of intellectual community with the faculty and a commitment to lifelong learning. AdmissionAdmission to the Honors Program in General Education is limited and competitive. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their entire academic record, including the rigor of their high school curricula, GPA, standardized test scores, and leadership qualities as identified through their application portfolios. There is no separate application process. Admission is by invitation only. RequirementsNot a major in itself, the Honors Program fulfills a core of general education requirements for every major. Requirements of the individual departments for their majors are updated annually and are available in the offices of the Honors Program and the departments. To receive Honors recognition on their transcript, students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.000 in all HNRS courses as well as all non-HNRS courses substituted for HNRS to complete the Honors program (e.g., MATH 113 substituted for HNRS 125). Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.000 may complete the program but will not receive honors recognition on their transcripts. Continuation in HonorsStudents in the program who are placed on academic warning because their GPA falls below 2.000 (1.800 in the first or second semester) may be transferred out of the program. Students who leave the Honors Program before completion must meet the general education requirements of their particular degree programs. On leaving the Honors Program and before registering for general education courses, students should be advised on equivalencies between the honors courses they have completed and their general education requirements. TransfersWithin George Mason: Because of the sequential and integrated nature of the program, honors courses do not correspond exactly to other courses used to fulfill general education requirements. A list of equivalencies is available in the Honors Program office. Outside George Mason: The Honors Program may meet the general education requirements of other universities. As in all transfer situations, however, the general education requirements of one institution may not precisely match those of another. |
