Interested in Teaching in the Honors College?
Tired of large lecture classes? Would you prefer a more engaging teaching experience with some of CSUSB’s most motivated students? Consider teaching in the Honors College!
The Honors College provides a variety of classes:
- See our core Honors courses in the course catalog.
- Honors designated sections of lower division GE courses (e.g. Hist 1460H; PSCI 2030H; ES 1000H)
- Special topics courses
Whether you are new to CSUSB or have taught at CSUSB for years, send inquiries to the director: jacob.jones@csusb.edu.
Thank you for your interest and support in the program!
Research Project Information and Mentor Role
Project Goals
Honors students complete theses similar to work that might be expected of a first-year graduate student. This process should be deliberately rigorous. However, it is not meant to consist merely of an intimidating series of 'hoops,' but a meaningful process of inquiry relevant to the discipline and the student’s interests in it. This project advances the student’s post-graduation goals, whether it serves as a writing sample, conference presentations, or an exemplary piece for a portfolio when students apply to graduate programs or enter the workforce.
The student should conclude this experience with an understanding of how knowledge is produced in their field as well as the confidence and capabilities to articulate, develop, and understand discipline-based research or creative work at an advanced undergraduate level. The project should be attendant to the conventions of written and oral presentation that are particular to the discipline. Whatever form the project takes, it should be a demanding exercise (3 units = roughly 140 clock hours of work) and the resulting presentation should demonstrate in depth skill and understanding of the topic.
There are three components required to complete the project:
- a written proposal that articulates that goals, methods, anticipated results, and material needs of the thesis project;
- a written thesis document that meets the conventions of the particular discipline and that is due by the end of week 15 in the graduating semester;
- an oral or poster presentation as appropriate to the discipline.
The faculty mentor evaluates the thesis upon completion and emails the Honors College Director to communicate that they approve the final project as the student submits it to the Honors College.
Guidelines for Faculty Advisors
Honors students are only ever able to complete their theses because faculty generously provide support to them throughout the process.
- Intend to meet every other week or as needed
- Read and give feedback on at least one draft
- Be willing and able to provide criticism and direction
- Evaluate and sign off on final draft
- Sponsor student for conference
- In some cases, assist with IRB application process
- Optional: Independent Study
Conferences
Presenting to department faculty, as is common for independent studies, fulfills the presentation requirement for the senior project. The University Honors College, however, strongly encourages students to participate in another conference as a means of building professional experience. Some potential conferences include:
- Meeting of the Minds (For Spring Semester graduates)
- Southern California Conference of Undergraduate Research (SCCUR- for Fall Semester graduates)
- Western Region Honors Council Conference (WRHC- Applications typically due in January, present in March/April)
- Discipline-specific conferences organized by national or regional associations.