International Honors Program
In the spring of 2007, PLU proudly launched the International Honors Program. This program welcomed over 80 highly achieving students from 13 different states who are now offered the opportunity to complete their general university requirements through the successful completion of the International Honors Program and curriculum.
Eligibility
In order to be considered for admission to the International Honors Program students must be admitted to the University and complete a separate application form. Students with a 3.6 GPA and higher are encouraged to apply. There are two application phases for admission to the International Honors Program. Students may apply during either phase explained below.
December 15, 2007 - Phase I Application Deadline
Those students who would like to be evaluated during Phase I of the International Honors Program application process must complete the separate online application form by December 15, 2007. Over half of the available spaces in the International Honors Program will be offered during the Phase I application period.
February 15, 2008 – Phase II Application Deadline
Students not participating in the Phase I International Honors Program application process are eligible to participate in the Phase II process. All students wishing to be considered for admission to the International Honors Program must complete the online application form no later than February 15, 2008. Those applicants not offered admission to the International Honors Program during the Phase I process will be considered during Phase II.
Honors Program faculty members will read applications and determine those admitted to the program during each phase of application.
Program Information
International Honors is a rigorous program for students who demonstrate an exemplary record of academic and service achievement. Rooted in the university’s liberal arts foundation, International Honors challenges students to engage the university’s educational mission of thoughtful inquiry, service to others, leadership in public life, and care for the earth’s diverse communities and natural resources.
The International Honors curriculum is shaped by the history of higher education in the West and the global context in which students and faculty live and study today. Embedded in the unique tradition of Lutheran higher education, the program claims the received wisdom of ancient classical learning, medieval universities, Reformation schools, Enlightenment discoveries, and the American experience. Consequently, honors courses introduce students to primary artistic, legal, philosophical, scientific, and theological events, thinkers, and works that continue to shape our contemporary world. As a program and a university influenced by the early modern study of history, all honors courses study the historical contexts in which forms of knowledge and cultural practices arise.
As a distinctive curriculum within a university that challenges students to discover their meaning and purpose through engaged study both here and abroad, International Honors asks students to consider the ways in which their unique interests and intellectual gifts can be of service to the common good. Through broad and deep learning, students are challenged to consider their vocation as leaders within both local and international communities.
International Honors Requirements:
Seven courses, 28 semester hours distributed as follows:
- International Honors 111-112 (190): Origins of the Contemporary World (eight semester hours)
Normally taken sequentially in the first year. These courses explore from a global perspective the historical roots of contemporary events, values and traditions.
- Four 200-level International Honors courses (16 semester hours)
Normally taken in the second and third year. A wide range of these courses are offered every semester, and during J-Term.
- One 300-level International Honors course (four semester hours)
Taken after or with the last 200-level course.
Policies and Guidelines:
The three levels of IHON courses are built sequentially upon one another in terms of content and learning objectives. In order to acquire a common background, IHON students take the required IHON 111-112 (190) sequence in their first year, before taking 200-level courses. Exceptions to this sequence can be made for transfer students, or for students who are accepted into the Honors Program during their first year at PLU.
With prior approval by the IHON chair, an appropriate semester-long course abroad may take the place of one 200-level IHON course. Such a course must focus on a contemporary issue, be international in scope, interdisciplinary, and require critical thinking and writing. One 301 modern language course intentionally designed to meet program objectives (Chinese, French, German, Norwegian, Spanish) may also replace one 200-level IHON course when the student completes supplementary IHON expectations.
Multiple sections of IHON111 are offered every Fall semester; and sections of IHON112 (190) every Spring semester; beginning Fall 2008, varying IHON 200-level courses will be offered every semester including J-Term; one IHON 300-level course will be offered during the academic year 2008-09, and one each semester thereafter. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the required seven courses in the IHON Program by the end of their junior year in order to focus on completion of majors and related research during their senior year.
Course Offerings:
Visit the course catalog.
