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International Honors Requirements
7 courses, 28 semester hours distributed as follows:
IHON 111, 112 (190): Origins of the Contemporary World
8 semester hours
Normally taken sequentially in the first year. These courses explore the historical roots and global dimensions of contemporary events, values and traditions.
IHON: Four 200-level courses
16 semester hours
Normally taken in the second and third year. A wide range of these courses are offered every semester, and often during J-Term.
IHON: One 300-level course
4 semester hours
Taken after or with the last 200-level course.
Policies and Guidelines for International Honors
The three levels of IHON courses are built sequentially upon one another in terms of content and learning objectives. In order to acquire a common background, IHON students take the required IHON 111, 112 (190) sequence in their first year, before taking their 200-level courses. Exceptions to this sequence can be made for transfer students, or for students who are accepted into the Honors Program during their first year at PLU.
With prior approval by the IHON chair, an appropriate semester-long course abroad may take the place of one 200-level IHON course. Such a course must focus on a contemporary issue, be international in scope, interdisciplinary, and require honors-level critical thinking and writing. One 301 modern language course intentionally designed to meet program objectives (Chinese, French, German, Norwegian, Spanish) may also replace one 200-level IHON course when the student completes supplementary IHON expectations. IHON students are allowed to count either an on-campus Language 301 course or a study away experience (semester long) for IHON credit. Students may not count both.
Multiple sections of IHON 111 are offered every Fall semester; and sections of IHON 112 (190) every Spring semester; varying IHON 200-level courses will be offered every semester and often in J-Term; IHON 300-level courses will be offered every semester. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the required seven courses in the IHON Program by the end of their junior year in order to focus on completion of majors and related research during their senior year.
IHON students cannot pass/fail an International Honors course.
GPA requirements
Students in the International Honors Program must maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 3.00. Names of students who fall below a 3.00 will be forwarded to the student’s IHON advisor. Students will have one semester to bring their GPA up to a 3.00. If the 3.00 GPA is not achieved, students will be disenrolled from the program. Procedures for assignment of general education credits will be in place for students who do not complete the Honors Program.
International Honors (IHON) Undergraduate-Level Courses
IHON 111 : Authority and Discovery - H1
Explores through varying disciplinary approaches the historical roots of contemporary global issues through a deep study of selected moments of the past before and during the Italian Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution. At least one unit on the Far East, the development of Islam, Africa, or other non-western areas of the world are frequently included. (4)
IHON 112 : Liberty and Power - H1
Explores through varying disciplinary approaches the historical roots of contemporary global issues through a deep study of selected moments of the past through the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions, and the Industrial Revolution. Evolutionary science, medical advances, women’s rights movements, socialism, imperialism, and romanticism in literature and the arts are among topics of study. At least one unit on the Far East and other areas of the non-western world are frequently included. (4)
IHON 190 : Inquiry Seminar - F
Inquiry Seminar is designed for first-year students, which will introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. May fulfill no more than one GenEd. (4)
IHON 253 : Gender, Sexuality and Culture - A, H2
Uses multicultural, international, and feminist perspectives to examine issues such as socialization and stereotypes, relationships and sexuality, interpersonal and institutional violence, revolution and social change in the U.S. and in other selected international contexts. (4)
IHON 257 : The Human Experience - H2
The Human Experience course is a multidisciplinary study of selected topics that illuminates what it means to be human. Topics will vary by instructor and term but each section of the course will draw from one of the following disciplines: English, Philosophy, Religion, or Languages & Literatures. In addition to the primary discipline of the course, the second discipline may be drawn from the Division of Humanities or from outside of the division. (4)
IHON 258 : Self, Culture, and Society - H2
This course is a multidisciplinary study of specific international topics that illuminate aspects of individual and collective human behavior, history, culture and institutions., Topics will vary by instructor and term, but each section of the course will draw from one of the following disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology. In addition to the primary discipline of the course, the second discipline may be drawn from the Division of Social Sciences or from outside of the division. (4)
IHON 260 : The Arts in Society - H2
This course is a multidisciplinary study of selected topics that represents the breadth and influence of arts in society. Topics will vary by instructor and term, but each section of the course will draw from one of the following disciplines: Art, Communication, Music or Theatre. In addition to the primary discipline of the course, the second discipline may be drawn from the School of Arts and Communication or from outside of the School. (4)
IHON 287 : Special Topics in Natural Sciences - H2
Course will cover various topics in the natural sciences. (4)
IHON 326 : The Quest for Social Justice: Systems and Reality - H3
Uses systems (holistic models) to comprehend the search for justice by humankind in the past, the present, and for the future, calling upon students to identify and articulate their own assumptions and perspectives on social justice. (4)
IHON 328 : Social Justice: Personal Inquiry and Global Investigations - C, H3
Students will wrestle with complex contemporary social problems, evaluate multiple responses to those problems, and develop and articulate their own positions and commitments. Class themes vary, but every section includes cross-cultural and interdisciplinary analysis and a final culminating project. (4)