UIS
Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic
Year 2006 - 2007
THE CAPITAL SCHOLARS HONORS PROGRAM
A Unique Baccalaureate Experience of the University of Illinois
at Springfield
Contact: (217) 206-7246
capitalscholars@uis.edu, or www.uis.edu/capitalscholars/home.asp
The Capital Scholars Honors Program (CSHP), open to a small
number of highly qualified college students, is a four-year
baccalaureate experience combining an integrated core of
honors-level, lower- and upper-division courses, UIS general
education requirements, and any of the 20 undergraduate majors
offered by UIS. In addition, students must demonstrate
intermediate-level proficiency in a foreign language. The program
provides academically well prepared and motivated students a unique
opportunity to develop creative thinking, problem solving, and
leadership skills through a high-quality educational experience
based in the liberal arts. Focusing on the student’s total growth
in the personal, academic, social, and civic arenas, the Capital
Scholars Honors Program features interdisciplinary and collaborative
learning and is designed to develop student talents through small
classes that encourage lively exchange between students and
professors. Students learn actively, applying their skills to real
community concerns. Problem-solving and research skills are
emphasized throughout the four-year program.
At the heart of the Capital Scholars Honors Program is the
understanding that leadership is important and that it is only
partly intuitive. Effective leaders learn their leadership skills,
usually through trial and error. While not denying the experiential
basis of good leadership, the Capital Scholars philosophy stresses
that preparation for leadership should not be hit or miss, but
should be a component of higher education for highly qualified
students. Capital Scholars courses incorporate the study of
leadership, and the curriculum-wide focus on collaborative learning
emphasizes leadership as an integral aspect of collaboration. A
senior leadership seminar provides an additional opportunity to
combine the study of leadership with an internship in a community
agency or organization where leadership skills can be observed,
developed, and practiced.
The Lincoln Residence Hall is the focal point for a learning
community in which students, faculty, and community members come
together for enrichment activities. Illinois leaders from the
public and private sectors – representing scientific, artistic, and
cultural interests – join with students for social and cultural
events, workshops, and seminars. Students have opportunities for
day and weekend trips to cultural and educational events in Chicago,
St. Louis, and throughout central Illinois. A wide range of campus
social events and entertainment enliven the hours students spend
away from their studies.
Admission
Admission is open to students from Illinois and elsewhere who have
demonstrated high academic achievement and a potential for
creativity and leadership. Students admitted to the program are
expected to have excellent written and oral communication skills and
to want a challenging intellectual experience in their college
education.
To be considered for admission as residential first-year
students, applicants must have completed 15 units (one unit = one
year’s study in the subject) of high school work in the following
categories:
- Four units of English emphasizing written and oral
communication and literature
- Three units of social studies emphasizing history and
government
- Three units of mathematics including introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, or fundamentals of
computer programming (four units recommended)
- Three units of laboratory science (four units recommended)
- Two units of a foreign language (four units recommended)
Students with these qualifications are selected based on an
overall evaluation of the following: class rank, grade-point
average, College Board or ACT score, personal statement, creative
and leadership potential, and letters of recommendation from at
least two teachers or others acquainted with the applicant’s
academic work. A personal or telephone interview with a member of
the admissions committee may also be a component of the selection
process.
Requirements
To graduate from the Capital Scholars Honors Program at UIS,
students must complete 120 hours of coursework, including the CSHP
curriculum and other UIS general education requirements,
intermediate proficiency in a spoken foreign language, a major,
electives or a minor.
CSHP Integrated Core Curriculum 41-57 Hrs.
CAP 111 Writing for Cultural Literacy 3 Hrs.
CAP 112 Oral Communication 3 Hrs.
CAP 121, 122, 225, 226 (or 326) The “Question” Courses 12 Hrs.
(interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences)
CAP 141, 142 Biology and Chemistry of the Environment* 8 Hrs.
CAP 211 Writing in the Discipline 3 Hrs.
CAP 252 Social Actors 3 Hrs.
CAP 401 Leadership Seminar
or Upper-Division Honors Electives 6 Hrs.
Senior Thesis or Project 3 Hrs.
Foreign language (intermediate proficiency) 0-16 Hrs.
Other UIS General Education & ECCE Requirements 16 Hrs.
Mathematics 6 Hrs.
Humanities (fine and performing arts) 3 Hrs.
U.S. Communities 3 Hrs.
Global Awareness 3 Hrs.
Speakers Series 1 Hr.
Major, Minor, and General Electives 34-73 Hrs.
Major (any of 20 majors) 30-36 Hrs.
General Electives or Minor 4-37 Hrs.
Total bachelor’s degree 120 Hrs.
* CAP 141/142 is waived for science majors who take other science
courses.
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