The Batten Honors College prepares academically advanced and socially engaged students to lead society's professions and institutions with innovative approaches and ethical values that steward an environment threatened by global degradation and climate change.
Grounded in the three pillars of Environmental Stewardship, Global Citizenship, and Leadership, the curriculum builds skills in critical thinking, research, collaboration, and communication. Student experiences include seminar-style courses, faculty-mentored research, and a global residency experience. Regardless of major, every scholar gains a broader perspective on the connection between themselves, their academic discipline, the environment, and the world.
Each year, students from HON 480: Senior Seminar present their research and compete for the Louis and Prudence Ryan Prize for Excellence in Research. Graduates receive a diploma from the Jane P. Batten Honors College in recognition of their achievement.
Program at a Glance
- 4 credits each — 4 required seminars
- 8 credits — 2 honors electives at 300/400 level
- — Global Residency Requirement
- — Immersive Educational Experience Requirement
- 24 total credit hours
Core Seminars
Four required interdisciplinary seminars taken in sequence across the four years of the program.
An interdisciplinary course that explores scientific, ethical, economic, societal, and political aspects of contemporary issues with global environmental impact.
Offered each fall · Fulfills WES 100 General Education Requirement
Students explore how individual values shape approaches to living and leading in a global society, examining leaders and values in the context of environmental stewardship, social justice, inclusivity, and leadership.
Offered each spring
Students explore values in leadership through literature, discussion, case studies, guest speakers, and personal exploration.
Offered every semester · Prerequisites: HON 110 and HON 210, or consent
An integrative capstone course in which students reflect on their full college experience, examine the nature and influence of their liberal arts education, and design, execute, and present a capstone project.
Offered every semester · Prerequisites: Batten Honors College, senior status
Electives & Experiential Requirements
Honors Electives
Two courses at the 300/400 level
Honors students complete two elective courses from any non-honors course for honors credit. Special attention is paid to creating deliberate connections between course content and the BHC mission — equipping scholars with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of an ethical, thoughtful, and influential global citizen.
Honors work typically involves independent scholarly research or creative activity aligned with the mission of the college. Students work with faculty to create proposal projects that allow them to receive honors credit. Honors courses are listed in WebAdvisor.
Global Residency Experience
Completed in consultation with the Dean
To better understand the interconnected nature of human existence and its global impact, all honors scholars are required to complete a global residency. Working with the Dean, Director of Global Engagement, and their major advisor, students develop a plan aligned with their academic, professional, and personal goals. Plans are created during HON 210.
View recent scholar experiences →Immersive Educational Experience
Internship, research, study abroad, or service learning
One extended, immersive educational experience is required — internship, study abroad, undergraduate research, or extended service learning. Experiences may be completed during the summer or a semester, but must be at least four weeks long if full-time or twelve weeks if part-time.
To receive credit toward the BHC graduation requirement, each experience must be documented with an entry in the student's electronic portfolio and submission of a completion form.
Additional Honors Courses
Beyond the core curriculum, the following courses are available to Batten scholars.
An immersive Washington, D.C. experience in which students explore social issues, the role of leadership, and commitment to civic responsibility with accomplished leaders across government, media, education, business, military, nonprofit, athletics, and the arts.
Prerequisite: Batten Fellow · Offered every January Term
An investigation of concepts, issues, and ideas relevant to the culture and travel destination, including engagement in a service or research project addressing the needs of that community. May be taken additional times for credit as topics change.
Prerequisite: Batten Honors College · Offered summer and January Term · Course fee based on destination
An examination of selected topics and works of art exploring the arts as modes of aesthetic communication, the creative process, and its ability to express, expand, and influence social ideas. Students engage in creative activity and explore the creative process in relation to the individual and society.
Prerequisite: Batten Honors College · Offered every spring
Qualified students assist Honors College instructors in the teaching of honors courses. May be repeated up to four times for credit.
Prerequisite: Batten Honors College and consent · Offered every semester
See how the curriculum fits your goals.
The Batten Honors curriculum is designed to work with any major. Explore the full program advantages or reach out with questions.