Schoolcraft Scholars

Grow intellectually, think critically.

Honors Program

The Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program can be adapted to individual career and transfer programs. The Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program requires a total of 6 courses to be completed:  Humanities 190 (HUM), Anthropology (ANTH) 290, and four Honors Options.

  • First Fall Semester: HUM 190 (required)
  • Honors Option Course 1 (elective)
  • Honors Option Course 2 (elective)
  • Honors Option Course 3 (elective)
  • Honors Option Course 4 (elective)
  • Final Winter Semester: ANTH 290 (required)

HUM 190:  Individual Humanism:  An Honors Colloquium (Required)

In the first Fall semester, all Scholars must enroll in Humanities (HUM) 190:  “Individual Humanism: An Honors Colloquium” with Dr. Mark Huston (Philosophy). This foundation course studies the individual and community through multiple disciplines. Topics of the colloquium may include, but are not limited to, the human condition; the Renaissance and Enlightenment; the role of individuals in a society of change, transition and revolution; the “unanswered question”; and taking an active role on the social stage. Additionally, students in this course collaborate, practice critical thinking and explore both community issues and community-based organizations.

HUM 190 is offered each Fall semester.

Honors Option Courses (Electives)

Over the remaining semesters, Scholars also enroll in and designate four courses as Honors Option Courses with Honors Faculty. In these regular credit courses, Scholars work individually with Honors Faculty to design and complete Honors Options Projects. Honors Options are natural learning extensions of the usual requirements for a course. They challenge students to use course principles in real-world applications, lead peers in learning activities, conduct special field research, identify and report on special resources, or create a new learning model.

Honors Option projects are natural learning extensions of usual course requirements. These projects challenge students to apply course principles in the real-world, lead peers in learning activities, conduct field research, identify and report on special resources, construct a prototype, create a work of art or enact change.

ANTH 290:  The Individual and Community:  An Honors Capstone Course (Required)

In the final Winter semester of the program, Scholars must enroll in Anthropology (ANTH) 290:  “The Individual and Community: An Honors Capstone Course” taught by Professor Jessica Worden-Jones (Anthropology), Coordinator of Service Learning and Civic Engagement.  In this concluding course of the Honors Program, Scholars conduct community-focused fieldwork and present a capstone project. Concepts, methods, and perspectives from multiple social sciences will be used. The analysis focuses on social-cultural structures and dynamics at the individual, group, community, and global levels. Students reflect on contemporary social issues and their experiences in service learning.  During the course, students also complete a special 15-hour capstone project and synthesize its results.

ANTH 290 is offered each Winter semester.

Service and Enrichment Requirements

Service and Enrichment are integral pillars of the Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program. Knowledge, personal growth, and skills developed through Service and Enrichment are assessed as learning outcomes and transfer to professional life.

What is Service?

Service consists of volunteer work that serves individuals and the community at large. Service fosters a sense of altruism and civic responsibility. By volunteering with local organizations such as Keep Growing Detroit, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Project Share Joy, Fleece and Thank You, and others, Scholars are able to connect with others and impact their local communities.

Scholars are required to complete 50 hours of Service for the Honors Program.  This includes volunteer work with on-campus and off-campus organizations. 

What is Enrichment?

Enrichment consists of any civic and cultural engagement or leadership conference that is not considered service. Enrichment kindles an interest in lifelong learning. By attending museum trips (such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Pageturners Book Club, STEAMz Conference, and other events on- and off-campus, Scholars cultivate a well-rounded educational experience.

Scholars are required to complete 15 hours of Enrichment for the Honors Program.