The Jane P. 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 Required seminars
- 2 Honors electives at 300/400 level
- 1 Global Residency Requirement
- 1 Immersive Educational Experience Requirement
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: Jane P. 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 JPBHC 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 JPBHC graduation requirement, each experience must be documented with an entry in the student's electronic portfolio and submission of a completion form.
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.