John Greenfield, Ph.D., Professor of English; Director, Honors Program;
jgreenfi@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6890; Carnegie Hall 205

The McKendree Honors Program is comprised of two parts. The first is an integrated,
interdisciplinary series of courses organized around a broad theme. The second is
a thesis based on research activity or a creative product in the student’s major field
completed during the junior and senior years.
     All students in the program are required to enroll in the honors courses each semester
except in unusual circumstances as approved by the Honors Council. Every effort
should be made to take the designated Honors course for that semester in the first and
second years, but it is acknowledged that various circumstances of scheduling or prior
course credits may preclude students from doing that in every case. A student may stay
in the program as long as he or she takes at least one of the sophomore level courses.
Each honors seminar will require extensive reading coupled with frequent writing
assignments and active discussion participation.

ENG 111H HONORS ENGLISH I: CULTURE AND THE INDIVIDUAL, A (4)
This course fulfills the same purpose as English I, but uses as the basis for writing assignments a specific topic examined from the point of view of two or more disciplines, usually within the humanities. The topic concerns a particular aspect of culture or a number of aspects of a particular culture. Reading and writing assignments are directed toward improving the student’s ability to think analytically and creatively and to write accurate and effective prose. Students will also be introduced to the use of library
resources and will develop basic research skills. Annually, Fall.

ENG 112H HONORS ENGLISH II: CULTURE AND THE INDIVIDUAL, B (4)
This course fulfills the same purpose as English II, with a similar emphasis on reading and writing about literature. The topic of the course concerns some aspect of the relationship of individual persons to culture. The topic is examined through literature and from the point of view of at least one other discipline. Reading and writing assignments are directed toward improving the student’s ability to read critically, to discuss varying points of view, and to write effective critical essays. Students continue to develop their abilities to use library resources, applying research techniques to a research paper. Annually, Spring.

HON 211 HONORS SEMINAR I: THE PHYSICAL WORLD AND CULTURE (3)
This seminar will examine the influence of the environment and of technology on social structures and
values. Readings and discussion will focus on examples of the interdependencies of society, culture,
technology and the natural environment. The role of political, social, and economic systems within cultures
may also be explored. Annually, Fall.

HON 212 HONORS SEMINAR II: THE PHYSICAL WORLD AND THE INDIVIDUAL (3)
This seminar will examine the influence of scientific developments and other elements of the physical
world on individual identity. Readings and discussion will focus on particular examples of the impact of
science upon the individual, culture, and society. Annually, Spring.

Upper level honors courses include:

HON 301 HONORS SEMINAR III: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS (1)
Students develop annotated bibliographies relating to a research topic in their field of interest. Annually, Fall.

HON 302 HONORS SEMINAR IV: THESIS PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT (1)
Students develop a thesis proposal for their chosen research topic. Same as senior thesis course within the major field where acceptable. Annually, Spring.

HON 400 HONORS THESIS (2-4)
The student may enroll in up to four hours of thesis research for which a grade will be assigned upon
completion of the thesis. This course may be the same as a thesis course designated within the major
field. With concurrence of the discipline involved, credit hours for HON 400 may be counted toward the
total required for a major. The transcript title will be listed as Honors Thesis in (Major). Annually, Fall.

HON 402 THESIS PRESENTATION (1)
Each student will make an oral presentation of the thesis project in a public forum at a designated time.
Annually, Spring.

The Honors Program extends through the junior and senior years with a series of seminar
courses which afford the student an opportunity to develop a research or creative
project in his or her chosen field, working with a faculty mentor in that field.
     The second major part of the program consists of the completion of a thesis based
on research activity or a creative product in the major field of each student.
Requirements for this thesis project differ according to major, but each project must be
approved in advance by the major adviser and the director of the McKendree Honors
Program. Each student will select a faculty mentor from his/her field and submit a thesis
proposal to that mentor by the close of the second semester of the junior year.
     Honors Program students have the option of earning credit in their major (or minor)
for HON 302 and HON 400. Students seeking to earn credit in major for HON 302
HONORS SEMINAR IV: THESIS PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT (1) should sign up
for 480 Independent Study (1) in their major. The course will be designated as [major]
480/HON 302 (example: ENG 480/HON 302). (Exceptions to this are Biology and
Chemistry, which already have courses equivalent to HON 302: BIO 461A and CHE
493A [Note: Honors students should list CHE 493A as CHE 493A/HON302]). In addition,
BIO 461C HONORS THESIS III (W) counts as equivalent to HON 402. To earn
credit in major the course must be approved by the faculty mentor in the major (or
minor) who is supervising the student’s research. In certain majors, such as English,
where the Honors Thesis may be completed during a research course (e.g. Eng 490),
HON 301 and HON 302 may be waived. In such cases, the Thesis Proposal would be
completed as part of the research course. Divisions may exercise discretion in awarding
major credit for Honors 302.
     Similarly, students may earn credit in major (or minor) for HON 400 HONORS
THESIS (2-4). Certain majors have research course requirements, which may be taken
for credit to complete the Honors Thesis: for example, ENG 490 Seminar in English
and HIS 410 Senior Thesis in History. Students may enroll in these courses for major
credit and HON 400 credit by designating them ENG 490/HON 400 or HIS 410/HON
400. Or students may earn credit hours in their majors by enrolling in
[major]/480/HON 400 or another course in the major as appropriate (e.g. PSI 490/HON
400). (Again, Biology and Chemistry already have equivalent courses for HON 400:
BIO 461B (2) and CHE 493B (2-4). [Note: Honors students should list CHE 493B as
CHE 493B/HON 400.]) To earn course credit in major for HON 400 the research project
must be appropriate for the course and is subject to the approval of the faculty mentor
and the instructor of the course if the course is a regular course other than 480. In
addition to courses in Biology and Chemistry already mentioned, the following courses
have been identified as possible of being used for HON 400 credit: HIS 410, ENG
490, SOC 495, PSI 490, and PSY 465. Students may check with faculty mentors in
their majors and the Director of the Honors Program to find out if additional courses
may count as HON 400 credit.
     Students who do not wish to earn major credit for Honors courses but who still wish
to do an Honors Thesis should enroll in the appropriate Honors courses (HON 302,
HON 400, and HON 402). (Education majors do not have the option of earning credit
in Education with an Honors project.)