Batten Honors College

DR. TRAVIS MALONE, Dean, Batten Honors College

The Batten Honors College at Virginia Wesleyan explores diverse disciplines from the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences through an interdisciplinary and thematic curriculum that educates and graduates lifelong learners interested in shaping the future and taking action to improve the world.

Grounded in the three pillars of Environment, Leadership, and Global Awareness, the Batten Honors College curriculum encourages independent thinking and self-discovery while challenging students to view the world from multiple perspectives and to integrate theory and practice. Students will gain a broader perspective and think critically about the problems we face today recognizing that solutions to contemporary issues require disciplinary expertise as well as innovation, collaboration, and an interdisciplinary framework.

Student experiences in the Honors curriculum will range from small, seminar-style courses to a faculty-led intensive, immersive global experience. The interdisciplinary seminars will include lectures and group discussions led by faculty from two or more disciplines. Students will develop analytical, leadership, collaboration, and communication skills within their learning community through the Honors courses and experiential learning opportunities that include study away, research or internship, and service projects at home or around the globe.

Completion of the Batten Honors College program of study fulfils the Wesleyan Seminar General Education requirements.

Batten Honors College

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

HON 110: Contemporary Environmental Issues HON 200: Connections & Context HON 205: Topics in Leadership & Literature HON 225: Models of Decision Making HON 270: The Artist & Society HON 480: Senior Seminar Two Honors courses at 300/400 level

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: SEMESTER HOURS

4 4 4 4 4 4 8 32

HONORS COURSES (HON)

110 Contemporary Environmental Issues (4)

An interdisciplinary course that explores scientific, ethical, economic, societal, and political aspects of contemporary issues with global environmental impact. Prerequisite: Batten Honors College. Offered every fall.

150 Leadership and Civic Responsibility (4)

An immersive Washington, DC experience in which students explore social issues, the role of leadership, and commitment to civic responsibility with accomplished, informed leaders in diverse fields, such as government, media and communication, education, business, military, non-profit organizations, athletics, and the arts. Pre-requisite: Batten Fellow. Offered every January Term.

200 Connections and Context (4)

An investigation of concepts, issues, and ideas relevant to the culture and travel destination(s) that includes engagement in a service or research project that addresses the particular need(s) of that community and involves interaction with representative community members, constituencies and agencies. May be taken additional times for credit as topics change. Course fee based on destination. Prerequisite: Batten Honors College. Offered summer and January Term.

205 Topics in Leadership & Literature (4)

This course will explore the personal lives, traits, practices and disciplines of leaders through the analysis of fiction and nonfiction with some attention given to forms of expression other than literature. Students will actively reflect on leadership with respect to their own personal aspirations and values by analyzing the visions and values of the leaders presented in the literature. Prerequisites: Batten Honors College, ENG 105 with C or better. Offered every spring.

225 Models of Decision Making (4)

An introduction to the use of mathematics to model real-world situations and the application of mathematical models to decision making in personal, business, and societal contexts. Models, methods, and selected case studies vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: Batten Honors College, Math Placement H, A, or B. Offered every fall

270 The Artist & Society (4)

An examination of selected topics and works of art to explore the arts as modes of aesthetic communication, the creative process and its ability to express, expand and influence social ideas. Students will engage in creative activity and explore the creative process in relation to the individual and society. Prerequisite: Batten Honors College. Offered every spring.

300 Learning Assistant (1)

Qualified students assist Honors college instructors in the teaching of Honors courses. Prerequisite: Batten Honors College and consent. May be repeated up to four times for credit. Offered every semester.

480 Senior Seminar (4)

An integrative course in which students reflect upon their whole college experience; examine the nature, importance, and influence of their liberal arts education; and refine their liberal arts skills as they design, execute and present a capstone project. Prerequisite: Batten Honors College, senior status. Offered every semester.