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Honors Program

Overview

The Honors Program at South Suburban College provides unique educational opportunities for academically talented students. By emphasizing challenging intellectual content, Honors courses provide an enriching educational experience and enhance opportunities at transfer institutions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet two of the following criteria. One must be from Group I; however, both may be from that Group:

Group I

High school GPA of 3.5
Upper 10% of high school graduating class
ACT of 25 or better
SAT of 1100 or better
SSC GPA of 3.5 (12 hours minimum of 100-level courses or above)
Placement test scores of 85 in Writing and 82 in Reading
GED test score of 3000 or better

Group II

Recommendation from SSC instructor
Recommendation from high school instructor

To remain in the Honors Program, students must maintain a 3.25 GPA.

Recognition

Scholarship tuition waiver for Honors-designated courses
Honors course designation on SSC transcript
Member of Honors Program indicated on transcript.
Access to special counselor to assist Honors students with transferring and obtaining academic scholarships
Recognition at Honors Convocation

Application

Application forms are available online or in Room 3223, the Counseling Center, the Honors/ Phi Theta Kappa Center (Room 4255) or from the Coordinator of the Honors Program. Applications are accepted at any time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify?

If you have attended SSC and have accumulated 12 semester hours of college-level credit with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, you qualify for membership in SSC's Honors Program. There are other ways to qualify. See the details on the Academic Recognition section of SSC's WebPage.

Why should I join?

First of all, because nothing bad will happen to you, and there is every likelihood that something good will happen. Second, because it's simple and free.

What 's the "something good" that will happen?

For starters, free tuition for any honors courses you take while at SSC. And free lunches each semester with fellow honors students, faculty, and staff. Don't forget the prestige of having "Honors Program Member" stamped on your transcript. And last but hardly least, there's the opportunity to take some truly thought-provoking courses, which have been specially developed by SSC faculty.

Are Honors courses more work?

Honors course work is indeed more challenging, but Honors courses are not merely more of the same work you would do in a non-honors course.

Will my GPA suffer?

No. Honors students are graded against the performance of the entire student body, not merely against other honors students. For example, an essay, which earned a "B" grade on an assignment in English 101 Honors, would have earned a "B" grade in a non-honors English 101 course.

How do I join?

Simply fill out an Honors application and submit it to the office indicated on the form. These applications are available from the Honors Coordinator, Dr. Steven Vivian, Room 3221; from Betty Myers, Room 3223; or from the brochure holder outside the Honors/Phi Theta Kappa Center, Room 4255.

Are the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa the same thing?

No. Phi Theta Kappa is an international Honor Society whose main function is to recognize student achievement. It requires a 3.5 GPA to join and a $60 membership fee ($30 fee if you are on financial aid). PTK members have many additional opportunities and benefits. Learn more about the college's Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

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Spring 2012 Honors Course Schedule:

Register early to ensure enrollment

Course	Title	Instructor	Meeting Times
ENG 101	Composition & Rhetoric	Robert A. Bailey, Jr.	M, W & F 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
ENG 102	Composition & Research	Maggie Shear	M, W & F 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
ENG 124	Introduction to Linguistics	Robert A. Bailey, Jr.	11:00 - 11:50 a.m. M & W
HFA 201	Gen. Humanities I	Joan Rosen	9:00 - 9:50 a.m. M, W & F
HFA 202	Gen. Humanities I	Dr. Herman Stark	6:00 p.m. - 9:56 p.m. MW (1/19/12)
HUM 210	World Mythology	M. Liauba	11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Tu & Th
PHL 105	Logic	Dr. Herman Stark	7:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. M
SPC 108	Oral Communications	John Geraci	9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. M,W & F

Summer 2012 Honors Course Schedule:

Register early to ensure enrollment

Course	Title	Instructor	Meeting Times
ENG 206	World Literature	M. Liauba	12:30 a.m. - 3:15 a.m. Tu & Th
HFA 108	Introduction to Film Appreciation	John Geraci	9:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tu & Th
HFA 202	Gen. Humanities I	Dr. Herman Stark	6:00 p.m. - 9:50 p.m. MW
SPC 108	Oral Communications	John Geraci	9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. M,W & F

Fall 2012 Honors Course Schedule:

Register early to ensure enrollment

Course	Title	Instructor	Meeting Times
BIO 105	General Biology I	G.A. Griffith	8:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. M, W, & F LABS: 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. T
HFA 108	Introduction to Film Appreciation	John Geraci	11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Tu & Th
HFA 201	Gen. Humanities I	Joan Rosen	10:00 - 10:50 a.m. M, W & F
HFA 202	Gen. Humanities I	Dr. Herman Stark	7:00 p.m. - 9:56 p.m. M
HUM 210	World Mythology	M. Liauba	9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Tu & Th
PHL 105	Logic	Dr. Herman Stark	7:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. M
SPC 108	Oral Communications	Sandra Bein	1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Tu & Th

Phi Theta Kappa Recipients

Honors Faculty

All offices and extensions are at South Suburban College's Main Campus 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
(708) 596-2000

Rob Bailey
English, Office 3114, ext. 2460

Sandy Bein
Communications, Office 3126, ext. 2368

John Geraci
Communications, Office L240, ext. 2479

G.A. Griffith
Biology, Office 4469, ext. 2251

Marianne Liaub
English, Office 3132, ext. 2327

Joan Rosen
Philosophy, Office 3146, ext. 2486

Maggie Shear
English, Office 3122, ext. 2369

Dr. Herman Stark
Philosophy, Office 3471, ext. 2547

Dr. Steven D. Vivian
English, Office 3221, ext. 2323

Jamie Welling
Biology, Office 4469, ext. 2250

Lynn Wollstadt
English, Office 3223, ext. 2047

The Honors Program is most ably assisted by:
Betty Myers, Honors Program clerical assistant, Office 3223, ext. 2468

Honors Program Coordinator:
Dr. Herman Stark, Office 3471, ext. 2547

Questions about Honors? sschonors@hotmail.com

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