The Pietas Honors Program is designed to encourage and serve students desiring a challenging academic program, embodying Bethel's long-standing commitment to the integration of faith and learning. The program is designed to provide an enriched educational experience for students with exceptional academic ability, to create a community for such students, to enhance their preparation for and admission to graduate school, as well as to enhance the general academic environment of the university.
Students in the program take a total of four Honors-specific courses, which fulfill general education requirements. The textbooks for these courses are provided to the students for free by the Office of Academic Affairs. Students also choose one additional course (one at the 200-level or above) to add an Honors tag (H-tag), while also enrolling in HON 001 Scholarship Project. In H-tag courses, students collaborate with the course professor to explore a common area of interest by doing an in-depth research project. After the first year of the program, students engage in a significant leadership or service position at Bethel University, while also enrolling in HON 002 Stewardship Project. This could include a role as a resident assistant, campus discipleship leader, officer of a recognized campus club or organization within the Bethel Student Government umbrella, tutor for the Academic Enrichment Support Center, or many others. In addition to these requirements, there are Honors Colloquia, which students are required to attend throughout their time in the program.
Students interested in applying for the Pietas Honors Program should contact the directors of the Pietas Honors Program.
Pietas Honors Program
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HON 160 | Pietas Seminar I 1 | 4 |
| HON 300G | Pietas Seminar II | 4 |
| HON 305K | Pietas Seminar III | 4 |
| HON 464P | Pietas Seminar IV | 2 |
| HON 001 | Scholarship Project | 0 |
| HON 002 | Stewardship Project | 0 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
This course meets the GES 160 Inquiry Writing Seminar requirement.
Courses whose number is followed by a letter fulfill a General Education requirement.
HON 001 • Scholarship Project 0 Credit
A research project done in collaboration with the Honors Program and an additional course of the student's choosing.
Prerequisites: HON 160; Acceptance into the Pietas Honors Program. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in a course that corresponds to honors research project. Offered: Fall, January, Spring. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
HON 002 • Stewardship Project 0 Credit
A significant leadership or service position done in collaboration with the Honors Program.
Prerequisites: HON 160 and Acceptance into the Pietas Honors Program. Offered: Fall, January, Spring. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
HON 160 • Pietas Seminar I 4 Credits
Introduction to the value of a liberal arts education in the Christian tradition and key facets of the Pietas Program. While exploring a specific topic of interest, the seminar promotes the establishment of community among students and faculty. Instruction and practice in writing, as well as preparing and delivering oral presentations, in a manner that addresses the strengths and needs of students.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Pietas Honors Program. Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: This course fulfills the Inquiry Writing Seminar (GES 160) General Education requirement.
HON 300G • Pietas Seminar II 4 Credits
Analysis and evaluation of community in varying contexts. Investigation of different models of community through reflection, experiential learning, film, fiction, and non-fiction.
Prerequisites: HON 160; Admission to the Pietas Honors Program; [GES 130; GES 160 or GES 149]; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or World Cultures (U) course. Offered: Spring.
HON 305K • Pietas Seminar III 4 Credits
Contemporary and historical topics illustrate societal and cultural interactions with concurrent developments in science and technology. Examples of personal and corporate decision-making processes are stressed, thereby working toward a goal of preparation and motivation for responsible citizenship.
Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) course and Mathematics (M) course; Admission to the Pietas Honors Program. Offered: Fall.
HON 464P • Pietas Seminar IV 2 Credits
Collaboratively research, discuss, evaluate, and address an interdisciplinary issue of contemporary civic importance. Synthesize work completed in other Honors courses and projects as well as reflect on the role of faith in the life of Christian scholarship.
Prerequisites: HON 160; HON 300G; HON 305K; Senior standing; [GES 149 or GES 160]; THE 201; [Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or Comparative Systems (G) course] or World Cultures (U) course]. Offered: Spring.