Honors Program

The Russell Sage College Honors Program offers highly motivated undergraduates an innovative, rigorous and participatory educational experience. The program challenges students to be engaged contributors and leaders within the academic community. A member of the National Collegiate Honors Council, the Russell Sage College Honors Program is designed to:

enrich any course of study at Sage
deliver Honors coursework in a variety of pedagogical modes to foster intellectual and creative risk-taking, the examination of diverse knowledge and trans-disciplinary approaches to problem-solving and research
provide Honors-related academic advising from the Honors directors, faculty and directors of Academic Advising
promote engaged scholarship and leadership on local and global levels through conference participation, service learning and study abroad
deepen the intellectual community at Sage through Honors-sponsored lectures, colloquia and other events

“The program is not just a set of requirements. It’s also a community — and the Honors students find their people in that community.”

Nathanael Green
Assistant Professor of Practice in Writing and Honors Program Director

Benefits

Exciting, unique Honors courses that aren’t just harder, but challenge your creativity and intellect in new ways and from new perspectives to form deeper connections by working closely with experienced faculty
Access to special Honors Program lounge, events, speakers, trips and cultural events
Opportunities for special research and presentations, including possible travel to regional and national conferences like the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference or the Northeast Regional Honors Conference
Smaller class sizes in most Honors courses give you more personalized attention for in-depth discussion with faculty and like-minded students
Priority registration in Honors Seminars (Non-Honors students who wish to enroll in an Honors course must carry a minimum GPA of 3.0 and obtain the permission of the Honors director.)
Additional academic support and advising from the Honors director and other Honors students
A supportive cohort of similarly ambitious, academically minded students
Access to the network of Sage Honors Alumni to help with internship, graduate school and job placement
An Honors degree that can significantly enhance your resume or application to graduate school

Requirements

15 credits of Honors Coursework/12 credits for transfer students. Honors coursework includes an Honors First-Year Experience Course Seminar, Honors Seminars, Oxford-Style Tutorials, study abroad or program-based Honors projects. Students are highly encouraged to take additional Honors coursework to enhance their Honors experience.
Presentation of research or creative work at a regional, national or international conference or appropriate community venue
Demonstration of “engaged scholarship” through participation, leadership and service; can include active participation and leadership in Honors Societies, student governance, service learning and events that promote the cultural and intellectual enrichment of the local community
Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4

Recent Honors Courses

Oxford-Style Tutorials

HST 348: Socialisms
THR 348: The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway
HUM 348: Exploring the Absurd
MUS 348: Rodgers and Hammerstein
ENG 348: Beyond Downton Abbey: The Country Estate in Film and Lit
SCI 348: The Physics of Musical Instruments

Honors Seminar Courses

HST 238: History of Medicine and Healthcare
ENG/WST 248: Wanderlust Tales
BIO 248: Plants: Placid and Pernicious
SOC/WST 248: Votes for Women
POL 248: Politics in Lit and Film
ENG 348: Heroes and Quests
HST 155: Big History
ENG/NSG/WST 267: Nursing and Literature
CHM/VPA 248: Science of Art Restoration and Preservation
ENG 248: The Roaring 20s
THR 209: History of American Theatre

Honors Program Application