{"id":16,"date":"2017-06-14T16:56:08","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T16:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/honors\/faq\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T18:52:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:52:06","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/honors\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#1\"> How is the program structured?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#2\">What are modes of inquiry?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#3\">What are the requirements for admission<br \/>\nand when do I apply?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#4\"> What are the program benefits?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#5\">How challenging are honors courses?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#6\">What is an enhanced course and how do I enhance a course?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#8\">Does the program offer scholarships?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#9\">How do I apply? <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#10\">Who do I contact for more information?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">How is the program structured?<a id=\"1\" name=\"1\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">During their first semester in the full program, Kathwari Honors students enroll in a one-credit course entitled \u201cThe Nature of Inquiry\u201d (HON 100). This foundational course explores an issue or topic from a number of disciplinary perspectives. The goal is to acquaint students with the fundamental ways in which various disciplines pose questions and seek answers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">After completing HON 100, Kathwari Honors students in the full program must take four Modes of Inquiry courses (a total of 12 credit hours). These courses are offered every semester by the program&#8217;s distinguished Honors Faculty. A full listing of available Honors courses is available <a id=\"LPlnk379702\" title=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/honors\/honors-classes-and-modes-of-inquiries\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/honors\/honors-classes-and-modes-of-inquiries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"0\">here<\/a>. Students in the Associate Program are required to take two of these courses.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Kathwari Honors students in the full program must also earn 20 Honors engagement points, which might include a wide variety of service projects such as volunteering at a local nonprofit, presenting at a state or regional conference, tutoring students, serving as a student organization officer, or even opting to study abroad. Students in the Associate Program must earn 10 Honors engagement points.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Junior and senior Kathwari Honors students may participate in the honors teaching practicum (HON 497), which allows them to serve as teaching assistants in a class within their major, or the research practicum (HON 487), which allows them to work with professors in their fields of interest as research assistants. Students in practica will receive Honors engagement points.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Lastly, all Kathwari Honors students must complete the HON 400 Honors Capstone Seminar, which incorporates the Kathwari Spring Seminars lecture series and invites students to complete a capstone project.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Courses taken in the Kathwari Honors Program also may be applied toward fulfilling general education areas.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">What are modes of inquiry?<a id=\"2\" name=\"2\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">At the heart of the pursuit of knowledge lie general Modes of Inquiry that organize the way scholars, researchers, and artists approach and frame the phenomena they seek to understand. The Kathwari Honors curriculum at WCSU is designed to engage students in a host of broadly conceived Modes of Inquiry and to provide opportunities to experience how those modes shape the questions asked and ultimately the methods by which questions are answered.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Students in the Kathwari Honors Program will take a combination of courses that bear at least four of these Modes.<\/span><\/div>\n<h3 data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Honors Modes of Inquiry:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<div data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Artistic Creation<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry through the process of artistic creation or performance of theater, art, literature, music, sculpture, cinema, or other artistic activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Critical Analysis<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry into the various ways in which a text conveys meaning or people derive meaning from a text (viewed broadly to include written work, visual art, music, popular culture, ritual, symbol, cinema, etc.).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Entrepreneurship and Innovation<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry into start-up mindset, creativity in problem-solving, and risk-taking for personal or public progress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Equity and Belonging<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry into the history, progress, and\/or current practice of ensuring equity and belonging to all members of a group, organization, nation, or other community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Ethics<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry into the values and principles that guide the interactions of such entities as individuals, communities, corporations, organizations, and governments in public and personal environments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Historical, Social and Cultural Analysis<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry that examines how an event or phenomenon is shaped by history, society, or culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Leadership, Collaboration, and Team-Based Learning<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry into collaboration and teamwork as a fundamental value and into the emergence of strategies for inspiring groups of people in organizational, institutional, and public problem-solving and change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Scientific and Mathematical Analysis<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry that engages in the scientific method through experimentation, that considers the history and evolution of experimentation, that considers the social impact of the scientific study of natural processes, or that uses logico-mathematical representation or modeling to understand events or phenomena.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Technology<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry that incorporates the use of technology, the creation of technological innovation, or new understandings of the role of technology in society.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><b>Wellness<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Inquiry into research, strategies, and best practices to promote the inter-relatedness of mental and physical well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">What are the requirements for admission and when do I apply? <a id=\"3\" name=\"3\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Admission requirements are available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/honors\/admission\/\">here<\/a>. Students already enrolled at the university must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to apply. Since the program is competitive, meeting these minimum academic requirements is not a guarantee of admission. All students in the Program must maintain a 3.2 GPA to remain eligible. Students who feel that their GPA or SAT scores do not accurately reflect their academic background or abilities may apply directly to the Program Director to submit special justification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">High school seniors or transfer students may apply for university admission by the second Friday in November for early admission consideration or February 1 for final consideration.\u00a0 Early admissions decisions are usually made by early February and final decisions are usually made by early April.\u00a0 Students already enrolled at the university may apply at any time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Please note that scholarships are not offered directly through the program. If you are accepted into the program, this does not mean that you are guaranteed to get a scholarship. In addition, only incoming students may be eligible for scholarships, which are administered by the WCSU Admissions Office.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">What are the program benefits?<a id=\"4\" name=\"4\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Membership in the Kathwari Honors Program provides numerous benefits for participants. First and foremost, the program is designed to foster the type of learning environment that will prepare students for success in graduate school, professional programs, or work. Participation in the program signifies to graduate programs and employers that you have undertaken extra efforts to enrich your college work. In addition to these benefits, the honors program also provides a number of specific rewards. To take advantage of these benefits members must remain in &#8220;good standing&#8221; in the program. This requires that students maintain the GPA guidelines of the program and make satisfactory progress toward completing the requirements of the program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Benefits include:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">The ability to take up to 21 credits in a semester without additional fees.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Eligibility for priority registration. Priority registration normally takes place for two days prior to the beginning of senior registration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">24\/7 access to the Kathwari Honors House that includes a large conference room\/study area, full functioning kitchen, and lounge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Application of many courses in the Kathwari Honors Program to fulfill General Education competency requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Use of Kathwari Honors Program funds for travel to study abroad, present at conferences, volunteer and much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Optional participation in an Honors Teaching Practicum (HTP) during the junior or senior year. This option allows Honors students to serve as teaching assistants in a course they have taken. The student receives 3 credit hours for an HTP. Members may also participate in an Honors Research Practicum (HRP) during their junior or senior years.\u00a0 This option allows honors students to serve as research assistants to a professor.\u00a0 The student will receive 3 credit hours for an HRP. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Access to Honors-only programs, events, trips, and learning experiences with alumni, professors, local and regional leaders, and inter\/national figures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Entitlement, upon graduating from the program and the university, to wear special cords during Commencement and to receive special recognition in the Honors Graduation program. A certificate indicating program completion is mailed in the summer after graduation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div><\/div>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">How challenging are honors courses?<a id=\"5\" name=\"5\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">One of the questions often asked by students applying to the honors program is how much harder are honors courses compared with regular university courses? While honors courses are demanding, their intent is not to simply pile on extra work. Becoming a critical thinker, one of the desired outcomes of being a member of our honors program, is not like lifting weights. The goal is not to increase the amount of pounds pressed (or books read) in order to increase your &#8220;intellectual bulk.&#8221; In fact, the actual workload in most honors courses is not significantly greater than that found in other courses of the same level. What is different, however, are the types of materials assigned, the quality of class discussions and the faculty expectations about your ability to do independent work. Honors courses are not so much about piling on extra work as about getting intellectually motivated students into one place and letting them engage in the materials and learn from one another. Honors courses are also about allowing students the freedom to pursue areas of interest in their own way utilizing an assortment of methodologies and approaches. Honors courses are built on the fundamental assumption that knowledge is a process to be engaged in rather than a static thing to be absorbed. In other words, knowledge is not a closed set of facts to be memorized but a set of open questions to be explored. If this sounds like the type of approach that you are looking for then the honors program may be right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">What is an enhanced course and how do I enhance a course? <a id=\"6\" name=\"6\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">The Honors Program enables students and faculty to develop individual Honors-level components when necessary. Due to special circumstances such as scheduling limitations, completing a double major, or unavailability of desired courses, students may propose an Enhancement to any normal university course in order to receive Honors credit for it. The Enhancement will add some additional Honors-level dimension to the usual course requirements, and the student will receive one additional credit hour for the successful completion of an enhanced course. The student is expected to initiate the honors Enhancement and complete the application process outlined below.\u00a0 <a class=\"pdfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/honors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2017\/06\/Honors-Enhanced-Course-Application-and-Approval-rev-2-14.pdf\">Course Enhancement Forms <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Eligible students <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">All students majoring in nursing or education and in good standing in the Kathwari Honors Program are eligible. All other students must ask permission from the program director or assistant director before beginning the enhancement process. Also, any student with a GPA of 3.2 or higher at the time of application is eligible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Eligible faculty <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">All faculty members are eligible to participate. Consideration in the form of a partial credit hour is associated with enhancement in the same amount as a student developed study (one semester hour for the student =.11 load credit for faculty). Part-time faculty must submit a revised contract to receive the additional credit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Considerations of time <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Course enhancements are generally formed during the semester in which the course is being taken. Students are advised that the process should be completed within the first few weeks of the semester.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Honors course enhancement application and approval <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">An enhancement is established through a contract between the student and faculty member and the completion of the appropriate forms. The completed application contains (1) the cover page, (2) the enhancement contract, and (3) the request for faculty workload credit. When all these forms are completed and signed by faculty, the student then submits the forms to the Honors Program Director to be signed and then to the appropriate Dean. The Dean&#8217;s office should send copies to the Honors Director, the Registrar, and the student.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Details of application &amp; approval elements <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Cover page: The cover page is attached (&#8220;Project Approval Form&#8217;). The student should fill it out and secure the required approval and signatures. Any enhancement is subject to the approval of the Director and the Dean of the school in which the course is offered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Enhancement contract: On a separate page following the cover page, the student should provide a description of the honors component (using the following titles).\u2022\u00a0<strong>Personal Statement: \u00a0<\/strong>The student should set forth the goals of this honors component, specifically discuss the reasons for undertaking the project and how the honors component enhances the course to honors level \u00a0 (Examples: adding to the syllabus, making a course interdisciplinary, creating a multi-cultural element to a course, including a dimension of public service, etc.).\u2022 <strong>Enhancement: \u00a0<\/strong>List or describe in some detail the particular element(s) of the honors component. Include whatever activities are supplemental or alternative to the regular requirements of the course. (Examples: extra or alternative written work, projects, presentations, meetings with outside mentors, etc.)\u2022 <strong>Evaluation Process: <\/strong> How the honors component is graded should be specified. However the honors component is graded, only one grade is ultimately given for the course. (Examples: \u00a0 the student is graded on all work, including the honors component, a separate grade is given for the enhancement which is then averaged in with the grading for the regular requirements of the course, etc.).\u2022 <strong>Scheduling: <\/strong> A schedule of meetings of the faculty member or other people and the student and deadlines or due dates if appropriate, should be included. The honors component must be completed by the end of the regular course. (Examples: weekly meetings, interviews with outside mentors, attendance at events on or off campus, etc. If added or alternative work is assigned, when that work is due.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Request for faculty workload credit: Submitted to the Dean of the school in which the course is offered.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">Does the program offer scholarships?<a id=\"8\" name=\"8\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">The Admissions Office awards merit-based scholarships at WCSU to incoming first-year students who meet the application deadline. The initial screening usually begins in January with awards being offered in late January and February.\u00a0 There is no special application required for these awards beyond the university admission application.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"line\"><\/div>\n<h1 align=\"left\">How do I apply?<a id=\"9\" name=\"9\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">High Schools seniors or transfer students may use the application found on this website.\u00a0 Incoming first-year students who meet the admission requirements will be invited automatically to become members of the program. Students already enrolled at the university may either apply directly to the program using the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/e09mTGpy7A\">application<\/a> or be nominated by a faculty member.\u00a0 Nominations are, however, not a guarantee of acceptance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1>Who do I contact regarding the Kathwari Honors Program?<a id=\"10\" name=\"10\"><\/a><\/h1>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Director:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Dr. Brian Clements<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Kathwari Honors House 102F<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Western Connecticut State University<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">(203) 837 &#8211; 9501<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"mailto:clementsb@wcsu.edu\">clementsb@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Assistant Director: <\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Caitlin Kennedy<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Kathwari Honors House 102D<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Western Connecticut State University<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">(203) 837-9502<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"mailto:kennedyc@wcsu.edu\">kennedyc@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Honors Assistants: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Honors Assistant<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Kathwari Honors House 102E<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Western Connecticut State University<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">(203) 837-3226<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"mailto:honors@wcsu.edu?subject=Website Inquiry\"> honors@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><a href=\"#topofpage\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; How is the program structured? What are modes of inquiry? What are the requirements for admission and when do I apply? What are the program benefits? How challenging are honors courses? 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