Honors Liberal Arts

Program Overview

The Seattle Pacific University Honors Liberal Arts program is an accelerated, inquiry-based curriculum for academically motivated students. It emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, ethical decision-making, and lifelong learning. The program includes core courses, approved honors electives, and a public research presentation. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in various fields, including education, law, medicine, business, and academia.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Seattle Pacific University (SPU) Honors Liberal Arts program is an accelerated alternative to the standard General Education curriculum for academically motivated students. With fewer overall credits, the program focuses on inquiry-based learning and asks students to delve into the key questions surrounding human existence, faith, and the world. The program fosters a close-knit community of students and faculty committed to academic excellence, dialogue, collaboration, and intellectual hospitality. Guarded by the key liberal arts question, "What does it mean to be human? ", the program's foundational curricular values emphasize interdisciplinarity, critical inquiry, equity, inclusion, and service.

Objectives:

• Engage students in an intellectually stimulating and rigorous academic environment.
• Develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Foster intercultural understanding, empathy, and global awareness.
• Cultivate ethical decision-making and responsible citizenship.
• Prepare students for lifelong learning and success in a rapidly changing world.

Program Description:

The SPU Honors Liberal Arts program consists of a shared core of courses that explore knowledge construction and scholarly practices. In addition, students complete approved Honors electives and publicly present an approved honors research project at the annual Honors Research Symposium. Study abroad or away coursework can be used to satisfy program requirements with approval from the Honors Director. Honors courses may be counted toward disciplinary majors at the discretion of departments and programs. Non-honors students may petition to enroll in individual honors courses with approval from the Honors Director and relevant faculty members.

Outline:

Core Courses:

• HON 2000: Foundations of Inquiry
• HON 2100: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
• HON 2200: Ethical Reasoning and Social Justice
• HON 3000: Global Perspectives
• HON 4899: Capstone (1–5 credits)

Approved Honors Electives:

• Courses from various disciplines that align with the program's learning objectives and are approved by the Honors Director.

Assessment:

Students' progress in the Honors Liberal Arts program is evaluated through various assessment methods, including:

• Coursework assignments and examinations
• Class participation and engagement
• Research projects and presentations
• Reflective essays and self-assessments
• Portfolio development

Teaching:

The SPU Honors Liberal Arts program is taught by a dedicated faculty of experienced and passionate educators. Faculty members employ a variety of teaching methods to engage students and promote deep learning, including:

• Interactive lectures and discussions
• Collaborative group projects
• Experiential learning opportunities
• Research-intensive assignments
• Individualized mentorship and support

Careers:

Graduates of the SPU Honors Liberal Arts program are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in various fields, including:

• Education
• Law
• Medicine
• Business
• Government
• Nonprofit organizations
• Research and academia