An Honors project should augment the course curriculum, but it should extend the opportunities for advancement beyond the parameters established by the syllabus. The intention of the contracted project should be to allow a student to learn through guided discovery, and the thrust of the work should be substantive in nature.

Some examples of Honors projects include but are not limited to the following:
•Formal research essay 
•Creative work of art 
•Teaching a class unit
•Speech or class presentation
•Creation of visual display 
•Web page design
•Multimedia presentation 
•Presentation of teaching materials
•Hands-on experience activity with reference journal and report on conclusion

Honors Faculty Supervision
The Honors Faculty Supervisor should help design a project that is a joint venture between student and faculty. The degree to which a faculty member is literally involved will vary, but a student should have scheduled “help” sessions with the project supervisor.

“H” Credit
The supervisor determines whether or not an “H” should be added to the student’s transcript. This distinction is separate from the grade given for the class. For example, a student may earn an A for the class, but fail to complete (satisfactorily) the Honors project; in this case the “H” should be withheld, but the A given. (Many other scenarios are imaginable.) Loss of an “H” does not threaten the student’s GPA, class advancement, not graduation requirements; it does, however, affect the student’s standing into the Honors Program which may result in loss of scholarship money, Honors Program placement, and so on.

Honors Program Contract Review
The Honors Program director reviews all project contracts. The intention is to see that students are doing comparable work throughout the Program; that students are fully aware of what the contracts specify; that students have indeed negotiated with an Honors Faculty Supervisor; and that the contracts are thorough, providing detail. Contract forms may be obtained from the Honors Program office and should include: 1) Project description; 2) Time line; 3) Firm completion date; 4) Special circumstances.

Of course, any educational endeavor is at best a good hypothesis; it is always possible to amend a contract provided all parties agree. Any further questions about the Honors Project may be directed to the Honors Program Director, 732-6779, or tseeley@csi.edu.