UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK 2022 - 2023
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction..................................................................................................4 Advising...........................................................................................................5 Curriculum................................................................................................6-9 Transfer Students............................................................................. 10-11 Scholarships & Fellowships............................................................12 Leadership Opportunities & Student Resources............13 Housing: Stephen Epler Hall..........................................................14 Honors Commons..................................................................................15 Study Abroad...................................................................................... 16-17 Insider Tips..................................................................................................18 Campus Map.............................................................................................19
2
H O N O R S F A C U LT Y A N D S T A F F
BRENDA GLASCOTT College Director glascott@pdx.edu
KATHLEEN MERROW Faculty - Interdisciplinary merrowk@pdx.edu
CORNELIA COLEMAN College Administrator & Honors Thesis Coordinator colemanc@pdx.edu
FEDERICO PEREZ Faculty - Social Sciences fedperez@pdx.edu
BRIANNA AVERY College Advisor bavery@pdx.edu PELIN BASCI Faculty - Humanities bnpb@pdx.edu TINA BURDSALL Faculty - Social Sciences tdb@pdx.edu JENNIFER HOSKINS Faculty - Internships jhoskins@pdx.edu PAUL MCCUTCHEON Faculty - Humanities pmccu2@pdx.edu
ERIC RODRIGUEZ Faculty - Humanities emr7@pdx.edu OLYSSA STARRY Faculty - Natural Sciences ostarry@pdx.edu REBECCA SUMMER Faculty - Social Sciences rebeccasummer@pdx.edu JILL TAYLOR Admissions/Events Coordinator jitaylor@pdx.edu WILLIAM "HARRY" YORK Faculty - Humanities why@pdx.edu
3
INTRODUCTION WHAT IS HONORS?
Welcome! This handbook is a guide to the Honors College at Portland State University. In the following pages, you will find information about the curriculum and courses we offer, our community, scholarship and research opportunities, our in-house faculty, and tips and advice for the program.
In the Honors College, you can dig deep into the urban issues that matter most, join a tight-knit community of highly motivated students, and experience an exceptional education unlike any other. Honors is both a curriculum and a community offered to students at PSU, and our goal is to outfit students with reading, writing, and research skills that will help you throughout college and beyond. Our program emphasizes critical thinking,
deconstructing arguments, and understanding how knowledge is created—and how you, as a scholar, can and will contribute to these discussions. As an Honors student at PSU, you have all the benefits of a small liberal arts college embedded in Oregon’s only public urban research university. Our unique focus on the city of Portland opens unmatched opportunities for research, creativity, and academic exploration. You can work closely with world-class researchers, study abroad with Honors faculty in London or Borneo, and intern with top employers. It all culminates in your senior year, when you not only research, create, and write, but also publish your Honors thesis. There are many benefits to being an Honors student at PSU. You’ll receive personalized advising, priority registration for classes, and support from trained tutors in the Honors Writing Center. We also offer internships for credit, access to leadership opportunities, and enrichment workshops focused on graduate school and careers. Your time in the University Honors College will be both challenging and rewarding.
4
700+
HONORS STUDENTS
30%
TRANSFER STUDENTS
24%
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS
ADVISING Honors students have a dedicated academic adviser, Brianna Avery. Brianna supports and advises students throughout their academic journey at PSU, from new student orientation to graduation, no matter what their major or degree path. She can answer questions about registration, creating an academic plan, understanding requirements, studying abroad, finding internships, applying to graduate schools, and more. She is also a resource for students who are facing challenging situations in terms of academic difficulties, financial stress, mental health struggles, interpersonal conflicts; she connects students with helpful people and departments at PSU. If you have a question, and you don’t know who to ask, you can always reach out to Brianna! B R I A N N A AV E R Y
bavery@pdx.edu Make an Appointment: brianna-avery.youcanbook.me/
ACADEMIC RESOURCES HONORS WRITING CENTER Make an Appointment: pdx.mywconline.net/ The Honors Writing Center is the writing center specifically for Honors students, where we come as a community to talk about writing. Our peer-to-peer model takes some of the pressure off that process by creating a space that makes it easier to develop your own particular style and prose. Writing tutors are happy to work with you at any stage of the writing process—whether you have a complete draft or you're still in the brainstorming phase. ACADEMIC COACHING pdx.edu/learning-center/academic-coaching Academic coaching is a free support service available to all PSU students. Students work with coaches to create measurable plans to meet their academic goals. Goals may address school/life balance, active learning and studying strategies, organization, communication skills, how to access resources, and more. TUTORING pdx.edu/learning-center/tutoring Available for math and statistics, sciences, World Languages. All Learning Center tutors are PSU students. Tutors offer both drop-in hours and 30 minute sessions by appointment. Both require that you sign up with Penji to find tutors. Book appointments at least one day in advance.
Brianna Avery and her dog, Jasper 5
CURRICULUM Honors is a four-year curriculum. Each year is designed to teach valuable reading, writing, and research skills, while building a strong cohort of peers and connecting you to Honors faculty. The curriculum will prepare you to carry out your thesis project: a year-long independent study project of your choice. Honors classes fulfill PSU’s general education requirements - they replace the University Studies classes in your academic plan. Honors is part of your degree, not in addition to it, and you can major or minor in any subject as an Honors student.
1 FIRST YE AR THE GLOBAL CIT Y
The first year of Honors is a foundation for the rest of the program. These courses are taken with the same professor and class of peers, allowing you to create lasting connections while studying the urban environment. You will also learn writing, reading, and research skills that will assist you in the next years of Honors and your time at Portland State. All first years begin with these courses, including those with AP/IB credit earned in high school.
15 CREDITS: HON 101, 102, 103 Each section of the course will study different material, but the writing tools learned throughout the year are the same. Global City section descriptions: pdx.edu/honors/first-year-global-city
6
2 SECOND YE AR E X PLORE NEW PERSPECTIVES
In the second year, you will practice different types of research skills in HON 201, 202, and 203. You will learn how writers craft arguments, how social scientists collect data, how natural science research is conducted, and more! These courses can be taken in any order and are each 4 credits, for a total of 12 credits.
12 CREDITS: HON 201, 202, AND 203 HON 201: URBAN SOCIAL SCIENCES Learn how social scientists collect data and create your own ethnographic research project. Consider techniques such as participant observation, surveys, experiments, and analyzing human data, as well as the ethics of human subjects research.
HON 202 : URBAN HUMANITIES Study texts, artifacts, and other forms of evidence by approaching them through cultural and historical context. Understand how writing is used as a subjective tool to organize thought, and learn strategies for reading efficiently and comprehensively.
HON 203: URBAN ECOLOGY Learn how cities interact with other environments as humans continue urban expansion, and study how the architecture of cities changes wildlife populations and behaviors. Design a research project.
7
3 THIRD YE AR P E R S O N A L I Z E Y O U R PAT H
The third year of the Honors curriculum is where you begin to personalize your path. Students must take at least one HON 407 seminar, and then earn 8 more junior Honors credits through any combination of additional HON 407 seminars, internships or research opportunities for credit, or study abroad experiences. Honors junior year requirements do not need to be completed before the senior year and thesis.
12 CREDITS: HON 407 PLUS HON 401, 404, 407, OR 399 HON 407: JUNIOR SEMINARS Seminars are 4 credit interdisciplinary courses taught by faculty from across the university. Seminars are small, discussion-based, reading- and writing-intensive courses that require students to actively engage with artifacts and texts, introduce advanced methods, and write researched papers. The Honors College offers several seminars every quarter, on a variety of topics. View course descriptions: pdx.edu/honors/hon-407-seminars
HON 404: INTERNSHIPS Earn up to 8 credits for approved internships related to your major or intended career field. This is a chance for you to explore and define your professional goals, gain experience for your resume, earn money and/or academic credits, develop professional connections, hone your skills, and develop ideas to use in your Honors thesis. Internships Information: pdx.edu/honors/hon-404-internships
HON 401: RESEARCH Earn up to 8 credits by participating in research opportunities: join a research lab and understand how research works, gain critical experience and technical skills, build your resume, and connect with professors. Research can be performed at PSU or other institutions. Research Information: pdx. edu/honors/hon-401-research
8
4 FOURTH YE AR E X PLORE NEW PERSPECTIVES
The final year of the Honors program is spent planning, researching, writing, presenting, and publishing a thesis paper. You decide what to study, how to go about obtaining information, what your argument is, and how you'll present your findings. All the skills you've built during your time in Honors are utilized here; see how far you've come as a scholar and participate in academic discourse at PSU and beyond.
8 CREDITS: HON 403 HON 403: THESIS PROSPECTUS Join a group of your peers who are also beginning their thesis projects; think about the questions you want to research, how you will perform your work, which faculty member you'd like to work with, and create a timeline for your project. (Can be taken fall, winter, or spring term.)
H O N 4 0 3 : T H E S I S C O N T I N U AT I O N Join a peer group who is completing their thesis projects; finish writing your paper, practice presenting your research, and create a presentation for the Thesis Symposium. Then submit your thesis for publication and share your work with your peers. (Can be taken fall, winter, spring, or summer terms.)
Most students will spend three terms working on their thesis. Students typically begin the thesis in the fall term of their final year; however, you can start earlier than that if you expect your project to take additional time. All students are expected to attend an Honors Thesis Orientation in junior year to learn more about thesis expectations, timelines, and finding an adviser. The Honors Thesis Handbook is a terrific source of information. Honors Theses are published on PDX Scholar and are available to browse and download. pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/honorstheses/ 9
TRANSFER STUDE Honors welcomes students who are transferring to PSU with college credits (or who started at PSU in UNST). About 30% of our students start as transfers. Students beginning in the Honors College with college credits should register according to the guidelines below.
30-89 CREDITS Begin with second year coursework (HON 201, 202, 203). All three sophomore courses are required, in any order, or concurrently.
10
ENTS 90+ CREDITS Begin with HON 399, our transfer bridge course. This class is designed to teach the skills from the first two years of Honors, so you will be prepared to take junior seminars and complete your thesis. This class is reading and writing intensive, learning how to think critically about how scholars perform research, establish their arguments, and enter into academic discourse. After HON 399, complete one HON 407 seminar and 4 more credits from third year Honors requirements.
11
SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS pdx.edu/honors/scholarships-fellowships The scholarships and fellowships listed are only offered to Honors College students at Portland State University.
HONORS L AURELS SCHOL ARSHIP
This is a four-year tuition remission scholarship awarded to outstanding applicants to the Honors College. The award is based primarily on the applicant’s application essays, although GPA and other factors may be taken into account. Awarded once a year to new applicants to the college who apply by January 1. HONORS RESEARCH FUNDING
Up to $250 is available per student to help cover specific costs related to research, internship, or thesis activities, depending on funding availability. Students may be awarded research funding once during their tenure in Honors. Students must be enrolled in Honors research, internship, or thesis credits to receive this funding. The Honors College generally funds transportation costs associated with conferences or thesis research; supplies associated with thesis research; and fees for conferences associated with your research or internship. Awards are made every quarter through an application process. H O N O R S E D I T O R I A L F E L L O W S H I P AT P A C I F I C HISTORICAL REVIEW
The John and LaRee Caughey Honors College Editorial Fellowship with Tuition Grant is a 12-month fellowship beginning in mid-September. As a cooperative effort between the PSU University Honors College, The John and LaRee Caughey Foundation, and the Pacific Historical Review, the PHR is happy to offer an undergraduate fellow position to a student currently enrolled in the University Honors College as either a rising junior or rising senior. Students in history (or any major or field of study) are encouraged to apply. Fellows receive a $5,000 tuition remission scholarship and an hourly wage for 12 hours a week. Fellows are selected in winter term for the following academic year through a competitive application process.
12
HONORS ROSENBAUM SERVICE LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS
Rosenbaum Scholars will be matched with a local non-profit board for which they will serve as an intern. Students will develop leadership skills by engaging with and receiving mentorship from the chair, members of the board, and the executive director of the non-profit organization. Internships will run for the 9-month academic year from September to June. Rosenbaum Scholars will receive a $2,000 scholarship over the academic year they are in the program, earn 8 Honors internship credits, and receive remission scholarships covering this internship credit. Scholars are selected in spring term for the following academic year through a competitive application process. EAGLES SCHOL ARSHIP
The EAGLES Scholarship awards $10,000 towards the total cost of tuition for students earning a STEM degree. This is a need and merit-based scholarship for undergraduate students, who will also receive mentorship from faculty and members of the scientific community, and opportunities to participate in environmental pollution research and paid internships. This program is co-directed by Honors faculty Dr. Starry; some scholarships awarded outside the Honors program as well.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES COMMUNIT Y FELLOWS
Join a group of students who plan events for the Honors community, such as game nights and holiday parties.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS CENTER The Financial Wellness Center offers students an opportunity to speak with a Financial Wellness Coach to discuss PSU student accounts, re-enrolling in PSU, resolving a debt owed to PSU, understanding the cost of college, creating a sustainable budget, repairing credit, and repaying student loans. These services are available by phone or virtual appointment; they have drop-in virtual advising every day.
C O M M U N I C AT I O N S I N T E R N S
EMERGENCY FUNDS
Design creative materials like logos and artwork, and write copy for the Honors alumni newsletter and social media accounts.
The Office of Student Affairs distributes CARES act funds and also maintains a database of emergency and assistance funds available through PSU’s Colleges, schools and resource centers.
STUDENT AMBASSADOR
Represent the Honors College! Give tours to prospective students and guests.
FOOD INSECURIT Y If you are experiencing food insecurity, there are PSU resources including a Food Pantry, Free Food Market, assistance with applying for SNAP, and emergency meal vouchers. ◉
Receive training to tutor Honors students in writing! Help students with assignments and writing advice.
PSU Food Pantry: Smith Memorial Student Union (1825 SW Broadway), room 47A. Schedule an appointment for in-person shopping: calendly.com/psupantry
◉
STUDENT RESOURCES
PSU Free Food Market: Open on the 2nd Monday of each month on the South Park blocks, near Shattuck Hall, from 9am11am. All volunteers and patrons must wear a protective face covering.
HOUSING INSECURIT Y
WRITING FELLOWS
M E N TA L H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S
The Center for Student Health & Counseling (SHAC) provides high quality, accessible, medical, counseling, dental, and wellness education services to all PSU students taking 5+ credit hours, regardless of the type of insurance coverage. If you are experiencing stress due to school or life challenges, you can get help at the Center for Student Health and Counseling. Office visits at SHAC are free. C R I S I S S I T U AT I O N S
The C.A.R.E. Team is available to support students in distress and provide follow up support and consultation to the staff and faculty that are worried about them. To submit a C.A.R.E. report for a student in distress fill out this form or email your questions and concerns to askdos@pdx.edu. The Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Program addresses sexual violence at PSU by providing students connections to resources, information, and trauma-informed support. SRVRP advocates for best practices in campus coordinated response efforts at all levels of the institution. To speak with a Confidential Advocate, students can book online at psuwrc.youcanbook.me or call (503) 894-7982.
PSU maintains a temporary emergency shelter that is available to all students experiencing a housing crisis. If you are experiencing houselessness, facing eviction, or feel that you are being treated unfairly by your landlord, there are resources on campus and in the community. This is a comprehensive listing of resources for houselessness and other economic challenges. pdx.edu/homelessness/find-help STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES
PSU students have access to free legal advice and representation through Student Legal Services (SLS). Attorneys at SLS assist students in a variety of legal matters including landlord/tenant issues, family law, criminal cases, name/gender changes, consumer issues, employment disputes, discrimination claims and more. pdx.edu/student-legal-services/
13
HOUSING: STEPHEN EPLER pdx.edu/housing/urban-honors
Stephen Epler Hall is our living learning community for Honors students. It is not required to live on campus (or in Epler) during your time at PSU, but it is a great way to build community, stay connected with Honors students, and learn about downtown Portland. The fifth and sixth floors of Epler are for first year Honors students: this can help you to create networks that can last during your time at PSU and beyond. The Honors Community provides students
There are many advantages to living in the
admitted to the Honors College with the
Honors Living Learning Community:
opportunity to participate in a close-knit
◉
community with other high achieving and
by residing with others who share similar
highly motivated students. This community integrates classroom and experiential learning into the residential experience to form a dynamic learning community.
interests, goals, and classroom experiences ◉
bathrooms, and kitchenettes with a stove top, oven, and mini fridge. We've put a modern, state-of-the-art focus on sustainability.
Honors faculty and staff are easily accessible for advising
◉ The Honors floors are supervised by Honors Resident Assistants, who act as peer
Built in 2003, Stephen Epler Hall has modern studio apartments with large windows, private
Students develop a sense of community
advisors to new students ◉
Student leadership development opportunities
◉
Open to all students in the Honors College
STEPHEN EPLER HALL The Honors Community is housed in Stephen Epler Hall. Epler’s studios have private bathrooms and kitchenettes with a stove top, oven, and mini fridge.
HONORS COMMONS HONORS HOMEBASE
The ground floor of Epler Hall houses the Honors classrooms and the Honors Commons. The Honors Commons is a student lounge reserved for Honors students where we host events, tutoring, the Honors writing center, and hang out. Head to the Commons if you need a workspace: there are computers, printers, whiteboards, projectors, couches, and study buddies. The Commons is keycard accessible 24/7, only available to Honors students (all Honors students, including those living off-campus). Copies and prints made in the Commons do not count toward your PSU print credits, but you do need to supply your own paper.
15
STUDY ABROAD pdx.edu/education-abroad/education-abroad-honors-students Honors students are strongly encouraged to study abroad through any of the many programs offered by PSU. Seminar classes and internships taken abroad can fulfill Honors junior requirements - just talk to Brianna. If you are interested in studying abroad, be sure to register for an Ed Abroad 101 session. These workshops provide important information about how to apply for, fund, and earn credits for study abroad trips. The Honors College also hosts two faculty-led study abroad programs just for Honors students, one in London and one in Borneo. You can earn up to 8 seminar credits (HON 407) for these experiences.
BORNEO E N V I R O N M E N TA L A N D C U LT U R A L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Spend a week in Borneo over spring break with Honors urban ecology professor Dr. Olyssa Starry. Work closely with a local non-profit organization in order to learn first-hand about the tensions that exist between conservation goals and economic growth. Earn 4 credits of HON 407 seminar.
16
LONDON G AT E W AY T O M A R V E L S A N D M Y S T E R I E S : M E D I E V A L S C I E N C E A N D M O D E R N S TA G E
Spend a month in London with Honors Director Dr. Brenda Glascott, a rhetoric scholar, and Professor Harry York, a medieval historian. Read and study texts about theater and London’s history, explore locations discussed in class, and earn 8 credits of HON 407 Junior Seminars. Find more information and apply on the Education Abroad website.
H O N 4 0 7 : L O N D O N A S S TA G E
The heart of Dr. Glascott’s course will be four theater performances, ranging from the West End to fringe theater, that will root our inquiry into intersectional matrices (gender, race, class, sexuality, religion, etc) for experiencing and understanding identity in particular contexts. Dr. Glascott's course will explore how identity is shaped by and shapes the "stage" of the
H O N 4 0 7 : U R B A N L I F E I N M E D I E VA L A N D E A R LY M O D E R N L O N D O N
Dr. York’s class will view London and England from a medieval “scientific” perspective. Readings and discussions will focus on medieval science and technology and how they reflect understandings of the “marvels” of the natural world, geography, cosmography, health and disease, and alchemy.
global city of London through the plays and supplemental readings.
17
INSIDER TIPS AT T E N D Y O U R P R O F E S S O R ’ S O F F I C E H O U R S . Honors
professors love to meet with students, and this can give you a chance to discuss the course, topics, questions, concerns, and other material you find interesting. Even if you don't have anything specific to talk about, you can always stop by and say hi. W H E N A D D R E S S I N G Y O U R I N S T R U C T O R O R F A C U LT Y MEMBERS, USE THEIR PROFESSIONAL TITLE : EITHER “ P R O F E S S O R ” O R “ D O C T O R .” If they invite you to use their first
name, then you can use that as well!
I F Y O U R D E PA R T M E N T H O S T S E V E N T S , AT T E N D T H E M !
You can meet guest speakers, ask questions, or even volunteer to help. This can give you invaluable connections, or just new knowledge.
P R A C T I C E Y O U R P I T C H : Who are you? What do you want to do?
What have you done? What are you capable of doing? This can be helpful when speaking to potential employers, professors, and colleagues. Even if you never use the pitch, it can help you align your goals and interests with your background and courses. ADD YOUR FULL NAME AND PSU ID NUMBER TO YOUR E M A I L S I G N AT U R E , so professors and advisors know who you are
and can find your information.
S P E A K W I T H Y O U R A D V I S O R C O N S I S T E N T LY. It is always
a good idea to check in and make sure you are taking the right courses, completing your required credits, and graduating with the degree and opportunities you desire. I T ’ S N E V E R T O O E A R LY T O S TA R T T H I N K I N G A B O U T Y O U R T H E S I S . Spend
some time thinking about what topic you’d like to focus on, and who would be the best advisor for your work.
18
CAMPUS MAP
4th
5th
6th
Broadway
Park
Park
10th
11th
13th
12th
Market
Market Stratford Trailers
Science Building One
UH
Parkway
HAR
Parkmill Lot
Helen Gordon
Richard & Maurine Neuberger Center
Lincoln Hall Parkmill Mill
Science Research and Teaching Center
11th
12th
Blumel
St.Helens
Mill Urban Center Building
Parking Structure Two
Cramer Hall
10th
Parking Structure Three
CPSO
PSU Bookstore
USB
NGH HSB
SGH
SBH
Montgomery
Smith Memorial Student Union
Blackstone
Vanport Building
Academic & Student Recreation Center
Karl Miller Center
LBG
Hoffmann Hall
Harrison
4th
University Center Building
5th
Parking Structure One
6th
Fariborz Maseeh Hall
Broadway
South Park Blocks
Millar Library
Community Recreation Field
Harrison
Park
Epler
Albert
Montgomery
Montgomery King
Community Orchard & Campus Apiary
3rd
Clay
Clay
Fourth Ave Building
Shattuck Viking Pavilion
East Hall
Hall
Engineering
College
Trailers
University Pointe
5th
To main campus
Broadway
Jackson
Robertson Life Sciences Building
M O
Native American Center
O
!
g
DY
uildin Ar t B
!
Ondine
College Shattuck Lot
Research Greenhouse
Peter W Stott Center
Fifth Ave Cinema
Hall
WHP
Safety Poles
Max Stops
Streetcar Stops
oln
g
din
uil tt B
Bike Garages
Linc
y ersit Univ ology n Tech ices Serv
rbe
Green Spaces
ter ce & Scien ation Cen Educ
Co
PSU Building
t
Gran
UNIVERSIT Y HONORS HOUSE
Honors Director and Faculty Offices 1632 SW 12th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Main
STEPHEN EPLER HALL
Honors Residence Hall, Honors classrooms, Honors Commons 1136 SW Montgomery St, Portland, OR 97201 19
University Honors College 1632 SW 12th Avenue Portland, OR 97201 pdx.edu/honors
TOP 5 COLLEGE LOCATION IN THE U.S. —Niche
20
