South Suburban College
The Honors Program at South Suburban College provides unique educational opportunities for academically talented students. By emphasizing challenging intellectual content, Honors courses provide an enriching educational experience and enhance students' opportunities at transfer institutions.
Students
enrolled in Honors courses are graded against norms established in regular
courses. As a result, Honors students are not penalized for taking courses
with other academically talented students.
Applicants must meet two of the following criteria. One must be from Group I; however, both may be from that Group:
Group I
- High school GPA of 3.5
- Upper 10% of high school graduating class
- ACT of 25 or better
- SAT of 1100 or better
- SSC GPA of 3.5 (12 hours minimum of 100-level courses or above)
- Placement test scores of 45 in Writing, 47 in Reading and Math 165 or higher placement
- GED
test score of 300 or better
Group II
- Recommendation from SSC instructor
- Recommendation from high school instructor
- Creative/Visual Arts protfolio
- Interview with Honors chairperson or representative
To remain in the Honors Program, students must maintain a 3.25 GPA.
Application forms are available online (PDF*) or in Room 3223, the Counseling Center, the Honors/Phi Theta Kappa Center (Room 4255) or from the Coordinator of the Honors Program throughout the year. Applications are accepted at any time.
* Acrobat Reader required for downloading Honors Program application form.
How do I qualify?
If you have attended SSC and have accumulated 12 semester hours of college-level credit with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, you qualify for membership in SSC's Honors Program. There are other ways to qualify. See the details on the Academic Recognition section of SSC's WebPage.
Why should I join?
First of all, because nothing bad will happen to you, and there is every likelihood that something good will happen. Second, because it's simple and free.
What 's the "something good" that will happen?
For starters, free tuition for any honors courses you take while at SSC. And free lunches each semester with fellow honors students, faculty, and staff. Don't forget the prestige of having "Honors Program Member" stamped on your transcript. And last but hardly least, there's the opportunity to take some truly thought-provoking courses, which have been specially developed by SSC faculty.
Are Honors courses more work?
Honors course work is indeed more challenging, but Honors courses are not merely more of the same work you would do in a non-honors course.
Will my GPA suffer?
No. Honors students are graded against the performance of the entire student body, not merely against other honors students. For example, an essay, which earned a "B" grade on an assignment in English 101 Honors, would have earned a "B" grade in a non-honors English 101 course.
How do I join?
Simply fill out an Honors application and submit it to the office indicated on the form. These applications are available from the Honors Coordinator, Dr. Steven Vivian, Room 3221; from Betty Myers, Room 3223; or from the brochure holder outside the Honors/Phi Theta Kappa Center, Room 4255.
Are the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa the same thing?
No. Phi Theta Kappa is an international Honor Society whose main function is to recognize student achievement. It requires a 3.5 GPA to join and a $60 membership fee ($30 fee if you are on financial aid). PTK members have many additional opportunities and benefits. Check out the college's Phi Theta Kappa information.
Summer 2008 Honors Course Schedule:
Register early to ensure enrollment
| Course | Title | Instructor | Meeting Times |
| ENG 101 3WH | Composition & Literature | Dr. Steven Vivian | Internet |
| ENG 206 3WH | World Literature I | Ms. Liaub | 12:15 - 3:00 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.; MA-3157 |
| HFA 108 2H1 | Introduction to Film Appreciation | John Geraci | 9:15 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.; MA-LHC |
Fall 2008 Honors Course Schedule:
Register early to ensure enrollment
| Course | Title | Instructor | Meeting Times |
| BIO 105 2WH | General Biology I | G.A. Griffith | 8:00 - 8:50 p.m. Mon. Weds., & Fri.; 8:00 - 10:50 p.m. Tuesday; MA-4466 |
| ENG 101 3WH | Composition & Literature | Dr. Steven Vivian | Internet |
| ENG 111 3WH | Introduction to Literature | Dr. Steven Vivian | Internet |
| HFA 108 2H1 | Introduction to Film Appreciation | John Geraci | 11:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.; MA-LHC |
| HFA 201 2H1 | General Humanities I | Dr. Herman Stark | 7:00 a.m.- 9:45 p.m. Monday; MA-LHB |
| HFA 202 2H1 | General Humanities II | Joan Beno | 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Mon. Weds., & Fri.; MA-LHC |
| PSY 101 2H1 | Introduction to Psychology | Dr. Michael Schnur | 1:00 p.m.- 2:15 p.m. Mon & Wed; MA-3369 |
| SPE 108 2H1 | Oral Communication | Sandy Mongillo | 1:00 p.m.- 2:15 p.m. Tues & Thurs; MA-3135 |
All
offices and extensions are at South Suburban College's Main Campus
15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL 60473 (708) 596-2000
Honors Faculty:
David Anderson, Math, Office 4148V, Ext. 2332
Mary Beth Beno, Math, Office 4148, ext.2333
John Geraci, Communications, Office L240, ext. 2479
G.A. Griffith, Biology, Office 4469, ext. 2251
Patrick T. Deane, Business Law/Paralegal Studies, Office 3427 (Main Campus, ext. 2538)
Marianne Liaub, English, Office 3132, ext. 2327
Sandy Mongillo, Communications, Office 3126, ext. 2368
Bill Naegele, Math, Office 4148, ext. 2409
Dr. Michael Schnur, Counseling, Office 2350, ext. 2393
Dr. Herman Stark, Philosophy, Office 3146, ext. 2547
Dr. Steven D. Vivian, English, Office 3221, ext. 2323
Jamie Welling, Biology, Office 4469, ext. 2250
The
Honors Program is most ably assisted by:
Betty Myers, Honors Program clerical assistant, Office 3223, ext. 2468
Honors
Program Coordinator:
Dr. Steven D. Vivian, English, Office 3221, ext. 2323
Questions about Honors? Write to: sschonors@hotmail.com