Honors Program

Curriculum

As of Fall 2024

Courses Offered

The Honors Program offers courses designed to provide students with a stimulating and enriching learning experience. These courses often go beyond traditional methods, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches and active learning methods. Classes are kept small, fostering a more interactive and engaging environment. Notably, Honors courses fulfill both Liberal Arts and Sciences (LASCs) requirements and count towards graduation from a student’s chosen major, regardless of the specific discipline. This means even if a student doesn’t complete all Honors Program requirements, the credits earned in LASC Honors courses will still contribute to their overall graduation requirements.

You’ll need to complete 18 credits of Honors courses.

This capstone project allows you to tackle significant sustainability challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. You’ll work under faculty supervision, incorporating knowledge gained throughout the program. This project culminates in a scholarly paper and a presentation

* Students from the SoE and SarD may need to take both core courses as Honors courses. Check with your honors advisor for more details.

Honors Co-Curriculum

The honors co-curriculum aims to develop students’ essential soft skills for academic and professional success. Students must engage in a series of co-curricular activities. The co-curriculum focuses on developing your essential soft skills for future success. You’ll engage in various activities like workshops, service learning, and leadership experiences. These activities are designed to enhance your professional development plan and will be documented in an e-portfolio (LAS498H).

You have to take at least 3 workshops covering diverse topics such as: Emotional Intelligence, Life Balance, Goal Setting, Career Steering, Leadership and Change, Debate Skills, and the list below:

Before Fall 2024

Majors offered

Students should complete 6 Honors courses (3-4 LAC and 2-3 Major-specific courses) in addition to three workshops.

Courses Offered

LASCs Honors Courses

Arabic

Arts

Communication Arts

History

 

LAS

Literature

 

Psychology

Science

Social Sciences

Major-Specific Honors Courses

Architecture

Bioinformatics

Biology

Business

Computer Sciences

Economics

 

Engineering 

English

Political Science

Psychology

Workshops offered

Soft skills are what accompany the hard skills, that’s why it’s so important to focus as much on soft skills training and development as you do on traditional hard skills.

Soft skills are increasingly becoming the hard skills of today’s work force. It’s just not enough to be highly trained in technical skills, without developing the softer, interpersonal and relationship-building skills that help people to communicate and collaborate effectively. These skills are more critical than ever as organizations struggle to find meaningful ways to remain competitive and be productive. Teamwork, leadership, and communication are underpinned by soft skills development. Since each is an essential element for organizational and personal success, developing these skills through specialized workshops is crucial for career success.

 

The workshops offered: 

 

WRK 202H: Life Balance

In this millennium of ever-changing environmental factors and expanding opportunities, individuals find themselves overwhelmed and often end up burning out while becoming increasingly demotivated. With the growing professional, global, cultural and personal responsibilities, individuals have to find alternative ways to perform, deliver in multiple areas of their lives while maintaining a healthy overall wellbeing. The workshop will assist students in finding and maintaining excellence both as a student at LAU and as a human being in other areas of life.

 

WRK 203H: Skills of Debate

The workshop will focus on the three elements of debate that help develop and enhance skills like critical thinking, decision-making, teamwork, active listening and leadership. These are 1) argumentation and cross-examination, 2) public speaking and the use of verbal and non-verbal delivery and 3) formal debate structure. Participants will get first-hand experience of the power of logic, structure and delivery in persuasion all within the context of an actual formal debate.

 

WRK 205H: Steer your Career I 

Steer Your Career workshop aims to raise the students’ awareness of professional skills and challenges faced as they take their first steps in the professional career path. It will empower and prepare them using modern day tools, methodologies of career development and expert trainings with sessions covering concepts in professionalism and the work place.

During this workshop, students learn about the art of leading people in a transparent and authentic manner, including understanding and developing leadership skills. Students explore the art of public speaking and the use of technology in professional communication. In addition, students are introduced to the basics of different types of business and professional writing including résumés, business letters, and emails.

 

WRK 207H: Leadership and Change

This workshop will help students acquire some core skills required to better deal with change and explore new perspectives designed to prepare them for future leadership roles. Students will be able to:

  1. identify different types of change and the way people and organizations may react to them.
  2. explore one change management theory.
  3. explain why people resist change and how resilience could help them overcome their resistance.

 

WRK 208H: Comm-U-nicate

There is no “one size fits all”, especially when it comes to communication. Today, more than ever before, we communicate with different types of people, all of whom perceive the world in their own way and we often take this for granted. We expect them to understand us, but yet for some reason, we often refrain from attempting to understand them.

Through “Comm-u-nicate”, students will be able to:

  1. Explain why miscommunication happens using a renowned model, and what one can do to communicate better with others.
  2. Identify the various differences between Hearing and Listening, and explain how the latter is correlated to enhanced communication.
  3. Practice using a questioning technique that helps conversations flow better.

 

WRK 209H: Ace your Interview

Students start looking for great opportunities to enter the workplace way before their graduation. Organizations carefully design series of interviews to select the best-fit candidates among graduates. The trouble is, students simply aren’t told what to really expect, and that makes thing more complicated and borderline unfair.

“Ace your Interview” will offer students insights on how real interviews are conducted, from both sides of the table. After completing this workshop, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the most common types of interviews and why they are used.
  2. Analyze the STAR method and how to leverage it to ace their interview.
  3. Apply best practice that will help leave a lasting impact on interviewers.
  4. Practice nonverbal techniques and tips to impress interviewers.

 

WRK 210H: Own the Stage: How to Deliver More Impactful Presentations

“OtS” is designed as a holistic learning experience that reflects a real challenge students face as they are about to enter the workforce: presentations! At the mere sight of the word, hearts start beating faster, palms get sweaty and voices start to shake. With that in mind, “Own the Stage” offers students a safe learning environment where they must simply practice.

Through a series of constructive iterations, participants will be able to attain a more personal touch to their overall style and learn how to deliver more impactful presentations.

After completing this workshop, students will specifically be able to:

  1. Identify the core requirements the make presentations impactful.
  2. Re-align nonverbal communication with verbal approach.
  3. Practice delivering to an audience of peers.

 

WRK 216H: Developing Stronger Relationships through Emotional Intelligence

Recent research from Armour (2007) showed that employees who had better relationships at work demonstrated higher job satisfaction, higher involvement/commitment and were less likely to leave their job.  Emotions impact our relationships in different ways.  Having the right Emotional Intelligence (EQ) skills can help people develop trustworthy intimate relationships that are an essential component of strong leaders today. Workshop Objectives:

  1. Thoroughly understand how emotions impact relationships.
  2. Understand why relationships are an important part of Leadership.
  3. Understand the components of Building Trusting Relationships.
  4. Apply this learning through tools and exercise

 

WRK 222H: Learning Agility

Learning agility, sometimes described as “knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do” is not necessarily an academic skill. It rather encapsulates a person’s ability and passion to study and deal with a new problem by his/her own learning process to get a clear understanding before making the correct decision. The general objective of the session is to revolve around preparing the attendees for the so-called real world highlighting at a more realistic perspective of what to expect from the job market these days, while increasing their employability.

 

WRK 225H: Meaning and Purpose Discovery 

Life Is Never Made Unbearable By Circumstances But Only By Lack Of Meaning And Purpose”. Viktor Frankl. Many times, you stop and wonder about the Meaning and Purpose of your life. Understanding the core of discovery is crucial for a clear path. Meaning and Purpose questions are always awaiting you to be discovered, answered, lived and actualized.  And if not discovered and acted upon, it will have an undesirable effect on your wellbeing and life processing.

In this workshop we will be:

 

WRK 226H: Meaning, Purpose and Well Being 

“The Quest For Meaning Is The Key To Mental Health And Human Flourishing” Viktor Frankl. It is proven that Meaning is positively related to happiness, wellbeing, life satisfaction, resilience, coping skills, hope, gratitude, health, self-esteem and empowerment. A random living exempt from Meaning leads to Existential Vacuum that will affect your overall wellbeing. Happiness and pleasure are only a side effect of Meaning fulfillment and not the mere end. Finding and living your unique Meaning and Purpose is essential to your Life, to your Mental Health and to your Well Being! 

During the workshop we will be exploring:

 

WRK 227H: Finding Optimism In Challenging Times 

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl. During your journey of living, and as you encounter beautiful uplifting moments, you are not exempt from reality! You are not exempt from a certain kind of challenge that will be part of your life at some point, be it on personal level or collective level. Finding optimism in said situations is a challenge by itself. You being prepared to deal with it and develop it are crucial for your life process.

During the workshop, you will be subject to:

 

WRK 228H: Guideposts To Choice And Conscious Decision Making

A Human Being Is A Deciding Being. Viktor Frankl. When you become aware of the fact that you are whom you decide to be, then the choices you adopt are a key element and a game changer in each moment of your life. Choices tell us that we as human beings have lots of power. It is you by the choices you adopt and the decisions you take that you will steer your life. And what is most important is that Choices plays a major role in your Meaning and Purpose Discovery

In this workshop, we will be exploring the below:

 

WRK 229H: How To Undergo A Meaningful Fulfilled Life

Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure or a quest for power but a quest for meaning. Viktor Frankl. We all want happiness in our life; we love to enjoy, have balance, we want security, we like to accomplish, we appreciate relationships… They are all beautiful and rightful for each person. BUT is this what life is all about? Are they the core of a meaningful life or an authentic fulfillment? You can consider your life to be just a mere coincidence, or you can choose to be aware that you were born for a purpose, that there is a Meaning behind your existence, and this Meaning is the true path for a fulfilled life.

In this workshop, we will be exploring the below:

 

WRK 230H: The Values Workshop

Values cannot be taught, Values must be lived. Viktor Frankl. To live a life that is satisfying to you, you must live up to your value system. Your value system constitutes your Unique Authentic Identity. It is your pathway to Meaning and Purpose Discovery. Not knowing the values that matter to you and that you ought to live by and actualize will lead to misdirection in many areas of your life and also will affect tremendously your search for Meaning and Purpose. 

In this workshop, students will be:

 

WRK 231H : Building Life Resilience Through Meaning 

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. Viktor Frank. During your journey of living, you are not exempt from different kind of challenges. Being aware of this fact and being prepared to deal with it is resilience.  Meaning is a crucial element in fostering resilience. Without Meaning, your life would be so fragile. It is what allows you to deal with the Tragic Triad or what we call reality and to find optimism in challenging times and turn these challenges into triumphs.

During the workshop, you will be exploring:

 

WRK 232H: Navigating Disruptive Tech: The Role of Human Leadership
 
In this wave of rapid technological evolution, there exists a gap between technological advancement and human leadership. The pace at which technology is advancing often outstrips our capacity to understand, assimilate, and effectively harness its potential. Moreover, with every technological disruption comes ethical dilemmas, workforce transformation, and societal shifts. True leaders understand and navigate these changes effectively.
 
Navigating Disruptive Tech will offer students insight on Understanding Technological Disruption, on the Ethical Implications, on The Human Element, on Fostering Adaptability, on the Future of Work, on Practical Leadership and on Creating a Tech-Ethical Framework.
 
By the end of this workshop, students will have a robust understanding of the current technological landscape, its potential disruptions, and how to lead effectively in such an environment. They will be equipped to not just survive but thrive in a world characterized by continuous technological evolution.
 
WRK 233H: Falling Forward
The “Falling forward” Workshop is a transformative experience designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to overcome life’s challenges and setbacks. In this workshop, participants will embark on a journey of personal growth, self-discovery, and empowerment, ultimately learning how to fall forward when faced with adversity.
 
Our approach challenges the conventional response to difficulties, which often leads us to fall backward. This workshop focuses on altering mindsets and empowering individuals to embrace life’s obstacles and challenges with determination and resilience. 
Throughout this Workshop, students will delve into a range of key topics including but not limited to work/Life Balance, Stress Management, Self-Awareness, Positive Mindset, Relationships and The Importance of “WHY” in Our Lives.
By the end of this workshop, participants will emerge with the tools and knowledge to navigate life’s challenges with resilience, empower themselves to overcome setbacks, and embrace a future filled with opportunity and growth.
 
 
 
WRK 234H:Time Management and Productivity Mastery 

The Time Management and Productivity Mastery workshop is designed to empower students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to master the art of time management and enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity across various facets of life.

Throughout this Workshop, students will delve into a range of key topics including but not limited to how to plan and execute tasks and goals with precision, how to effectively manage time across the domains of work, how to enhance ability to achieve personal and professional goals through efficient time allocation, how to develop a structured and strategic approach to time management that complements the unique needs and objectives and how to adapt to the ever-changing demands of life while maintaining a high level of productivity.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be equipped with the essential skills and techniques necessary to navigate the complexities of modern life, enabling them to optimize their time, achieve their goals, and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.