Tier One Honors Courses are generally discussion-based and intended for first- and second-year students to gain foundational knowledge and skills. The course design and individual sessions are typically led by the faculty member using active learning approaches (e.g., case method, teacher-designed inquiries and experiments, role-playing, collaborative learning, service learning, teacher-student individual conferences, or other experiential learning opportunities). Students engage in ongoing writing and reflection and regularly receive feedback from the faculty member and peers on their work and thinking. Assignments, readings and activities in the course purposefully promote a set of student learning outcomes. All Tier One courses undergo evaluation and assessment, and all courses must have at least 11 University Honors students enrolled in them for the course to be offered.

Tier One Honors Courses have three possible formats:

• A newly developed seminar that is dedicated solely to Honors students
• An existing course that is revised into an honors seminar dedicated solely to Honors students
• An existing course that enrolls both Honors & non-Honors students and includes additional expectations for University Honors students wishing to receive honors credit

Faculty members teaching honors courses are offered various forms of support and are strongly encouraged to participate in our faculty development opportunities. Instructors are compensated for teaching honors courses.

Tier One co-curricular or out-of-class experiences generally address a theme, question, problem or issue and involve a sequenced set of activities and assignments that promote students’ learning and development in less formal ways than is done in a traditional classroom setting. Tier One co-curricular experiences promote a set of student learning outcomes and undergo assessment.

Examples of Tier One Programs include:

• Semester-long book or film club
• Semester-long study circles
• Mentor group (led by a faculty, staff or upper-class peer)
• Weekend plunge experience
• Intensive community service project
• Alternative spring break trip
• Series of five or more workshops or meetings revolving around a theme