The Helen P. Denit Honors Program is always looking to kick up creativity in the classroom.
The Denit Honors Program supports faculty who want to involve undergraduates in the learning process. UBalt does not have an honors faculty; rather, professors in every college propose seminars, team-taught courses and multidisciplinary explorations of topics that inspire their own curiosity and passion.
Teach an Honors Course
The Denit Honors Program is always looking for faculty who demonstrate a commitment to high-impact practices in the classroom. Every honors-designated course includes a component of experiential learning so if you are already trying innovative approaches in your teaching, submit a proposal to have your course designated in the Denit Honors Program.
Honors Council Members
- Kris Eyssell
- Sally Farley (chair)
- Claire Guo
- Ferzana Havewala
- Jeffrey Hutson
- Amrita Shenoy
- Sujan Shrestha
- Jan Williams
Contact Sally Farley for more information about the honors council.
There are two types of designation in the Honors Program:
- Honors: open only to honors students
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Enhanced: open to all students but enrolled Helen P. Denit Honors Program students are able to count the enhanced credits (with a minimum GPA of 3.3) earned toward their credit requirement for graduation with Denit honors
- If you are interested in teaching an enhanced course, please submit proposals and funding requests to Sally Farley. The Honors Council will make the final determinations of designations and the final budget approvals.
- Learn more about submitting a proposal to teach an enhanced course.
- There are two kinds of proposals, proposals for funding (complete if you desire any funds for your course), and proposals to enhance your course on a recurring basis (bc it adheres to one or more of the learning outcomes below).
If your proposal is accepted, you will have access to Denit Honors funds and the logistical support of the Office of the Helen P. Denit Honors Program as you plan your course activities.
Qualifying for Honors
If you are wondering whether your proposal would qualify, compare your learning outcomes to those of the Denit Honors Program:
- Collaborative/team-based learning: courses in which students a significant portion of the students’ learning occurs through a team-based project; incorporates two skills: learning to work effectively in a team, and learning to offer constructive feedback in a collaborative and collegial style; typically incorporates a reflective component
- Diversity/Global learning: either through study abroad, global field studies, or through the curriculum of the course, students in these courses explore cultures, worldviews, and perspectives that are different from their own; typically incorporates a reflective component
- Experiential learning: “hands-on” courses in which a substantial portion of the knowledge is acquired outside of traditional classroom settings; may include service-learning, community-based learning, applied learning, or problem-based learning; typically incorporates a reflective component
- Internship: A specific kind of experiential learning in which students work for an organization (either paid or unpaid) in order to obtain practical experience; must be taken for course credit; typically incorporates a reflective component
- Undergraduate research: An individual student’s exploration of a specific research topic within a field of study under the direction of a faculty member; must be taken for course credit; typically culminates in a complete formal paper and/or presentation
- Writing-intensive coursework: Courses in which a significant portion of the students’ learning is accomplished through various forms of writing; typically relies upon the iterative process wherein students complete a rough draft, obtain feedback, and complete a revised draft
Other Ways to Get Involved
If you are not ready to teach an entire class in the honors program, you might be willing to contribute your talents for one afternoon. Since 2011, the Denit Honors Food and Faculty Series has provided a casual venue for faculty and staff to share their passion, academic research and new ideas with undergraduate honors students. We serve up a delicious meal topped off with engaging dialogue.
Learn more about the series and contact Sally Farley for more information or to be added to the schedule.