Teach Honors Courses

HNRS: The course offerings of the LSU Honors College

Courses offered by the LSU Honors College (designated HNRS courses) are opportunities for LSU professors to teach within their areas of research specialization, engaging with the University's top undergraduate students in an intimate seminar setting and setting the stage for numerous additional mentoring, teaching, and service opportunities, including the LSU Honors Thesis Project.  

The wide variety of HNRS courses in the General Catalog allow professors to explore their current particular research interests with students in special topics courses offered at a variety of levels: from introductory-level seminars to advanced senior-level independent work.  Interdisciplinary teaching is another cornerstone of the College, with faculty from all Colleges working together, creating environments of critical thinking and communication that transcend disciplinary boundaries and encourage creative synthesis of knowledge and experience.

The French House

Professors are welcome to teach in La Maison Francaise, "the French House," home of the Honors College.  Modeled after a Norman chateau in the Calvados region of France, and built for a French and Italian immersion program in the time of Huey Long, the French House now features state of the art multimedia facilities in every seminar classroom.  Special class events, such as films, special speakers, or performances, can be held in the French House's elegant Grand Salon, located on the ground level of the building.

Honors Course Proposals and Guidelines

To teach an HNRS course, a professor first makes a course proposal as described in the Honors Course Guidelines.   The proposals, which include a proposed syllabus, are evaluated by the Honors Board with respect to their rigor, relevance, and originality.  Upon approval, a course will be ready to be offered in a subsequent semester.  Any LSU professor from any department is welcome to propose a course. 

Departmental Honors Courses, Honors Option, and the Honors Thesis Project

A professor at LSU has additional opportunity to teach Honors students through Departmental Honors Courses and the Honors Option.  Departmental Honors courses are Honors versions of existing courses; these courses are developed and coordinated by the home department (for example, MATH 1553 is an Honors version of MATH 1552, and is scheduled and staffed by the Department of Mathematics). The Honors Option is an enhancement of an existing upper-level, non-Honors course based on an agreement between student and professor for additional, independent Honors-level work.  The Honors Thesis Project is the culmination of multiple semesters of specialization and research under the mentorship of a Thesis Director.  All final Thesis Projects are certified by the LSU Honors College in the awarding of Upper Division Honors Distinction and College Honors.

Faculty members play an essential role in the Honors College, mentoring students on their paths from introductory seminars to graduation with College Honors.  In addition to academic courses, there are also many other valuable teaching, service, and research opportunities that together with academics help comprise the complete LSU Honors College experience.