Lower Division: Foundational Work
The first two years of the College Scholars Program experience are grounded in foundational work that supports students’ transition to university thinking, engagement in critical dialogue, exposure to ideological breadth, development of core skills, and exploration of intellectual topics that help them confirm their choice of an academic major. Throughout their first year, College Scholars are introduced to core program elements and expectations through mentor group discussions and activities. They also complete (in winter or spring quarter) a requisite one-quarter Collegium seminar (HC50) during which they establish the e-Portfolio they will use to chronicle their undergraduate careers.
Scholars also participate in a General Education Cluster. These yearlong, collaboratively taught, interdisciplinary, award-winning courses focus on topics of timely importance such as the “evolution of the cosmos and life,” “the history of modern thought,” “work, labor, and social justice,” “frontiers of human aging,” “interracial dynamics in America,” “biotechnology and society,” and “food as a lens for environment and sustainability.” Cluster participation enables students to learn from, as well as network with, faculty who are pioneers in their approaches to learning and research. Upon completing their Cluster, students have fulfilled 18 units toward their degrees, satisfied four General Education requirements, earned Writing II credit, and acquired critical skills in research, writing, and information literacy.
Upper Division: Integrative/Application Work
Students’ transition to upper division Honors coursework and programmatic engagements will be supported by participation in leadership development activities. Additional Honors community involvement, coupled with academic coursework, experiential learning engagements, team building activities, study abroad options, and other enrichment opportunities help prepare students for completing their culminating (capstone) projects in an area of their choosing.
