• A Word from the Director:
• Philosophy
• Goals of the Honors Program
• The Honors Advantage

A Word from the Director:

Welcome to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Honors Program. These pages will help you become more familiar with the Honors program at UA Fort Smith and the many opportunities for learning. I am the director of the program and teach the Honors Humanities Through the Arts course. I truly love what I do because my job allows me to talk about art and to work with students. I have pursued a career as a scholar and teacher, because I love to learn new things about the arts and the world of human culture that produces works of art. The students in my classes, particularly my Honors classes, never fail to teach me something new. Our Honors Program is built upon this foundation of collective, active learning.

Honors courses meet the general course objectives of the non-honors courses but are expected to offer learning opportunities emphasizing analytical skills and synthesis, intellectual rigor, written and oral communication skills, and direct application through authentic assessment. Honors students, contend with original text material, developing their own insights and analyses rather than relying upon the critical accounts found in textbooks. Honors courses assist students in developing an independent voice. A variety of modes of inquiry and original research are the norm, providing you with a firm intellectual grounding in the knowledge base of a discipline. In addition, the Honors Program offers an interdisciplinary component that encourages the exploration of ideas from the perspectives of multiple disciplines. Honors courses are expected to be more rigorous than their non-honors counterparts. Furthermore, the kind of work required of Honors students often involves team efforts, emphasizing collaboration and cooperation among peers.

Henry Rinne, PhD
Professor of Humanities and Art History
Director, University Honors
479-788-7545
Breedlove 200
hrinne@uafortsmith.edu

or

Elizabeth Momand, DMA
Associate Professor of Music
Faculty Advisor, University Honors Organization
479-788-7540
Breedlove 210
emomand@uafortsmith.edu

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Philosophy

Excellence in student learning is the primary focus of the Honors Program at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. By offering coursework and research opportunities that challenge highly talented and motivated students, the Honors Program develops student success in discipline based knowledge and in the core general education competencies. Personal attention from dedicated faculty directs student learning through a curriculum designed to provide opportunities that meet the needs of outstanding students.

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Goals of the Honors Program

1. To challenge high-ability students through rigorous academic coursework, research, and scholarly/creative activities
2. To develop student success in general education competencies beyond the expectations of regular students.
3. To promote a learning community open to the critical analysis of ideas and issues.
4. To meet the needs of outstanding students by offering a campus community that nurtures their abilities and guides them in the identification of personal goals.
5. To contribute to the intellectual life of the UA Fort Smith campus through seminars, lectures, forums, guest speakers, and residencies.

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The Honors Advantage

• Small classes
  
• Honors scholarships
  
• A different and challenging learning experience
  
• Professors committed to excellence in teaching and innovations in learning
  
• University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Honors Organization:
  
  • Community service
    
  • Social functions
    
  • Honors forums
    
  • Cultural activities
    
  • Fun and more fun!
    
• Honors courses designated on transcript
  
• Honors degree and medallion at graduation
  
• Honors lounge/work room
  
• Free interlibrary loan for materials used in honors courses
  
• Early registration for honors students