Experiential Learning Opportunities
The Saint Louis University Honors Program places a high value on experiential learning as a critical component for holistic student development. By engaging with and beyond the SLU community, you will develop skills that support your personal growth; apply knowledge to “real world” settings; gain practical experience related to your professional interests; and reflect on how these experiences might inform your future pursuits. We frame these experiences in the Jesuit context as Contemplation in Action.
During their time in the program, honors students complete four of these experiences, selected from any combination of the following options. Some experiences may be repeated up to three times or may be enrolled for up to three credits. We encourage students to incorporate at least one Contemplation in Action experience in each year to support their academic, professional, and personal development.
CORE 1500 Cura Personalis: Self in Community
Students who do not need to take a program-specific version of this course can enroll in an honors-only section in their first semester. This course launches students on a path of self-discovery, with grounding and support, as they join the SLU academic community. It situates you within the histories, places, and resources of SLU and St. Louis, and invites you to consider the diverse perspectives and backgrounds that make up our community, including your own. It is a great way to build community with other honors students in a small seminar setting in your first semester and learn more about the range of academic, health, wellness, civic, and cultural resources that are available to enrich your journey.
CORE 2510 Vocational Inquiry Through Advocacy and Service
This honors-only section of a course in the University Core guides students in reflecting on their experiences at SLU, and how these are shaping personal development, potential life paths, and their ability to respond to challenging situations. Off-campus experiences provide a primary lens to engage in discernment, giving you the opportunity to critically evaluate the impact these experiences have had on your growth as an individual. You will be equipped with the skills necessary to handle challenges, respond to stress, and cultivate well-being.
HR 4810 Honors Teaching Assistantship
Serving as a peer instructor for a college course encourages you to take a leadership role in the classroom while deepening your understanding of the teaching and learning process. Honors students who are selected to serve as peer instructors — with Honors or with another department — can participate in this workshop series to develop skills and techniques to support their work in the classroom. The experience encourages you to reflect on what you are learning from teaching, how this impacts your understanding of your own educational experience, and how this relates to your future goals and plans.
HR 4820 Honors Study Abroad
Honors students who will be studying abroad can opt to participate in an online reflective writing course that is driven by thoughtful, sustained consideration of the quest for personal and professional purpose within social, cultural, and historical contexts. Study abroad provides a rich environment in which to explore these topics. You will compose written reflections before, during, and after your time abroad to find and create meaning related to your experience. The goal is to emerge with a memorable, enriching, and educational experience that you can relate to your future academic and professional pursuits.
HR 4840 Honors Research
Honors students who secure a research experience related to their academic interests (on or off campus) may propose the experience for honors credit. In addition to meeting the expectations for their research, students complete a final project to demonstrate their learning and reflect on their growth. Some students complete research experiences over multiple semesters. Depending on your field of study, this can be an effective way to prepare to undertake an Honors Capstone project.
HR 4850 Honors International Partnership
In this course, honors students serve as English-language partners to an international student at SLU. Partners meet regularly throughout the semester, and meetings are followed by writing assignments that encourage you to reflect on cross-cultural communication, cultural humility, and cultural awareness and exchange. The experience offers you an opportunity to develop your communication skills and deepen your cultural perspectives, which will benefit you in your future academic and professional pursuits. It is also a great way to get to know other students on campus and explore the city together!
HR 4860 Honors Professional Development and Vocational Discernment
Upper-level students may participate in a workshop series designed to help them understand and translate their academic experiences into the “real world” as they prepare for life after SLU. The course helps you shape the substance of your academic and personal life, reflect on the character and meaning of your future work, and develop professional skills and philosophical insights to aid you in your job search or application process. With students from a wide range of majors and professional trajectories, the course offers an environment to reflect on our holistic development, personal goals, and life stories.
HR 4910 Honors Internship
Honors students who secure an internship experience related to their academic or professional interests may propose the experience for honors credit. In addition to meeting the expectations for their internship, students complete a final project to demonstrate their learning and reflect on their growth. Some students complete internships in multiple semesters, for continuing or distinct experiences. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain professional experience, apply your learning to real-world contexts, and reflect on the trajectory of your future work.