COURSES, ADD-ONS, AND INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Honors classes and Add-ons are open to the entire Skidmore Community; independent studies of 1-4 credits are reserved for HF members. All HF members take a minimum of seven Honors Forum credits or three Honors Forum classes. Courses developed specifically for the Honors Forum experiences (which can be IS or Add-ons). Beginning 2012, we are no longer granting Honors Forum credit for study abroad portfolios. Courses developed specifically for the Honors Forum expect a high degree of involvement from participants and present more sophisticated materials and assignments to provide a challenging academic experience. Opportunities also exist for Forum students to create a 1-credit Add-on to enhance any existing course, do collaborative research with faculty, undertake independent and interdisciplinary study at an earlier than usual point in their academic career, and to share their research and creative accomplishments with the wider Skidmore College community.
| Courses | Add-Ons | Independent Studies |
100-Level Honors Courses and Add-ons
“The British Empire,” HI 110H
Tillman Nechtman
CD
“Calculus II,” MA 113H
Gove Effinger, David Vella, or Daniel Hurwitz
“Color”, HF 100 (Add-on)
Janet Sorenson
“Ecology of Food,” BI 115H
Monica Raveret Richtor
English 105H, Topics chosen by Instructor
The English Department
“Honors Problem Solving,” MA 126H
David Vella or Daniel Hurwitz
“Intensive General Chemistry,” CH 107H
Kimberley Frederick
“Introduction to Microeconomics,” EC 104H
Lynda Vargha
“Introduction to Philosophy,” PH 101H
Reginald Lily
"The Land of Absurdity," EN-105H
M. Wiseman
"Writing on Demand," EN-105H
L. Hall
200-Level Honors Courses and Add-ons
"Classical Mythology," HF-200
J. Westerhold
Susan Walzer
"Computer Science Research," CS-275H
G. Effinger
Erica Bastress-Dukehart
“Galaxies and Cosmology,” PY 221H
Mary Crone Odekon
“General Physics I Honors,” PY 207H
Andrew Skinner
“Hindu Religion and Art,” HF 200 (Add-on)
Joel Smith
“Honors Problem Solving,” MA 226H
David Vella or Daniel Hurwitz
“Inorganic Compounds and Materials,” CH 207H
Steven Frey
“Introduction to Medieval Literature,” EN 229H
Kate Greenspan
“Mathematics Research,” MA 275H
Gove Effinger“
Medieval Monsters” HF 200 (Add-on)
Sarah Wright
Mary Lynn
"Peer Health Education," HF-215
J. McDonald
Beau Breslin and David Karp
L
Science Literacy Apocalypse Clusters, HF 200 Sections 003-019
John Brueggemann
“Stories of English,” EN 229H
Kate Greenspan
“Student Citizenship,” HF 203
Roy Rotheim
"Thinking About Race-Ethnicity," HF-200
J. Delton
Katie Hauser
“Van Gogh on Film,” HF 200 (Add-on)
Mimi Hellman
“The Victorian Illustrated Book,” EN 228H
Catherine Golden
300-Level Honors Courses and Add-ons
“Chaucer,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Kate Greenspan
“Workplace Diversity,” MB 336H
Pushkala Prasad
CD
“French Revolution on Film,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Mimi Hellman
“Honors Problem Solving,” MA 326H
David Vella
“Illustrated Book,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Penny Jolly
“Imaginaries of Travel: India,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Aditi Chandra
“Jane Austen in Bath,” HF 300, TX 300A (Travel Seminar)
Catherine Golden
“Modern Political Thought,” GO 304H
Tim Burns
“Music in South Asia,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Gordon Thompson
Nineteenth-Century Novel,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Catherine Golden
“Paleoclimatology Practicum,” HF 300 (Add-on)
Amy Frappier“
“Peer Tutoring Project,” EN 303H
Phil Boshoff
L
“Senior Research Project II,” PS 376H
The Psychology Department
“Senior Seminar,” PS 378H
The Psychology Department
“Social Psychology Research,” PS 320H
Holly Hodgins
“Statistical Methods in Psychology II,” PS 318H
Hugh Foley
L = Leadership
CD = Cultural Diversity
One credit hour Add-ons are a great way to add intellectual challenge to a pre-existing course. Some courses have HF add-ons listed on the Registrar’s Master Schedule under “Honors Forum,” which students can choose to take in addition to the “parent” course. If there is no scheduled Add-on for a course you would like to take for Honors Forum credit, you can work with the professor to propose an independent study or a group independent study. These are usually extended studies of material covered in the course that the student(s) and professor would like to study in more detail. Proposing an Add-on is the same as proposing an independent study. You and your professor will need to submit the independent study proposal form, available on the Honors Forum website, to the Honors Forum Director for approval. Click the link for model courses and Add-ons (click here)
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When it comes to Honors Forum independent studies reserved for HF students only, you have two options: HF271/272 (Fall/Spring) for sophomores or HF371/372 (Fall/Spring) for juniors and seniors. These classes for Honors Forum minors only are designed to allow flexibility in the education of Honors Forum members who choose to pursue projects, research, or advanced studies in areas of particular interest. Honors independent studies may be for 1-4 credit hours and be repeated with a different topic for credit; however, currently only a total of 3 credits will be counted toward the HF 3 course/ 7 credits.
The Process:
- Find a faculty sponsor who will oversee your study.
- Write a proposal with your sponsor, detailing what you will be doing during the semester in your independent study. Make sure to explain the work you will produce (e.g. paper, presentation, exhibition, research) and how this HF independent study will add to your intellectual development. Take time to compose a clear, specific, and well-written proposal.
- Submit this proposal to the Honors Council via HF Director, Catherine Golden, for approval. The Director may request revisions before approving your course; not all proposals are deemed Honors-worthy.