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Frequently Asked Questions
If the Course of Study doesn't fit into my schedule,
can I take classes other than the year it says to take them?
It
is important to realize that new TR Scholars are automatically
enrolled in the courses they are required to take in a
given semester. As a result, they are expected to fill out
their schedule with other courses that do not conflict with
the honors courses. The Course of Study for
first year students is designed to help prepare them for
success in college and to establish intellectual community
amongst TR Scholars. This necessitates taking classes together. As
a result, there is very little flexibility in the required
course of study for the first three semesters.
Thereafter, if conflicts arise, discuss them with the TR
Director, and arrangements may be made to accommodate taking
a course or two out of sequence.
Any conflicts that necessitate taking a TR requirement
out of sequence must be pre-approved by the TR Director
and recorded on the Progress Update Form so that there
exists a clear record of special arrangements or exceptions
to TR Program requirements.
Are international students obligated to fulfill
all TR Program requirements?
Yes. When an international
student accepts a Global Awareness & TR
Scholarship they are obligated to meet all TR Program
requirements including: participation, service, curricular,
and co-curricular expectations. Global Awareness/TR
Scholars are not expected to meet both Global Awareness
and TR Program requirements. In other words, the
TR Program requirements supersede the Global Awareness
requirements. However, international students are
expected to work with and serve as leaders for the
International Club and design a service/learning
project that compliments and enhances the objectives
of DSU's Multicultural
Awareness programming.
What is a suitable service learning
project?
The
objective of service learning is to give back to the community.
TR Scholars have been given much therefore much is expected.
So service learning projects should be not-for-pay, and should
be designed with the objectives of the TR program in mind.
There are two approaches to this requirement: all at once,
in a major project, or over a number of semesters, one credit
at a time. If you wish to complete your service learning
all at once, find an organization that needs help with some
new initiative that will give you an opportunity to take
a leadership role rather than simply clocking service hours.
Most service organizations have projects pending for which
staffing is insufficient.These are the type of opportunities
one should seek out when designing a service learning project
for LEAD credit. One could also
do 1 credit service learning projects over a number of
semesters.
What is the timetable for the service learning
project?
3 credit service learning projects won't
always begin and end in the same semester. Therefore, it
is permissible to begin a service learning project and
finish it the following semester. One may not, however,
extend a 3 credit service learning project beyond a second
semester. Credit will be awarded when a Directed Study
form is submitted the first week of the semester following
completion of the project. 1 or 2 credit service learning
projects may be done at any time.
Does the service learning project have to begin
during the Fall semester?
No. The Course of Study
guidelines for service learning projects, internships,
and the scholarly proposal can all be worked into the TR
Scholar's schedule when most convenient. The Course
of Study guidelines offer a reasonable plan
for completing the TR Program requirements, but should
not be viewed as binding in terms of when requirements
are met. If an internship or project is available
in one's field in Fall rather than Spring it is acceptable
to take it then or even in the summer. There is no
discretion as to whether an internship is done; there
is discretion as to when it is done.
Where can I find help designing and
arranging a suitable service learning project?
Ms. Bonnie Bohlman,
Director of Career Services, located in May Hall 206, has
a list of service learning and internship opportunities.
If you need help identifying an organization
with whom you are interested in working, sit down with
Ms. Bohlman.
What is the process for designing a service learning
proposal?
Get a proposal form online (at the
TR webpages " Info
Center") or from either the Career Services
Office or the TR Program Office, and follow the
directions. The proposal needs to include a project
description, a timetable, checkpoints, and learning
outcomes. The proposal should be signed by your
service supervisor, learning supervising, the TR
Director and yourself and submitted to the TR Program
Office before beginning the service learning project.
What is a Study Tour and how many are we required
to attend?
Occasionally the TR Director will
arrange a trip for TR Scholars that involves unique educational
opportunities (e.g., a trip to the capitol during a legislative
session.) All TR scholars must take one of these study
tours for credit during their course of study. The scholar
will collaborate with the TR Director regarding a plan
of study for the study tour, and will submit a follow-up
report that sketches how the study done on the study
tour will contribute to future scholarly efforts. TR
Scholars will be invited to attend all Study Tours, but
only need take one for credit.
What is a Honors Thesis Research/Scholarly Project?
How do I find a topic suitable for this project?
The
Honors Thesis Research/Scholarly Project should evolve
from one's interests and experiences working
closely with a professor or professors in one's major
discipline. By the time one is ready to graduate, one
ought to be prepared to engage in a line of inquiry that
will serve to both challenge and gain for the TR Scholar
a measure of distinction. The topic should be suggested
as the scholar pursues knowledge in his or her major,
and the project should be designed in collaboration with
a supervising professor and approved by the TR Director.
Will LEAD 494 count as my senior project for my
major?
Yes. The TR senior project is designed to
coincide with any senior project required within the discipline
major. TR Scholars are not required to do two senior
projects. However, they are required to do a senior project
that is a "cut
above" (i.e.,
honors level work). The senior project should
establish the TR Scholar's readiness for
success in graduate school and/or preparation
for leadership in the chosen profession.
What is the difference between the Special student/faculty
collaborative scholarship/research
proposal (LEAD 491, Independent Study) andthe
Honors Thesis Research/Scholarly Project (LEAD 494)?
LEAD
491 is preliminary to taking LEAD 494 and will likely lead
to the senior level project. LEAD 491 is a proposal designed
to get the TR Scholar experience in presenting at a conference
or poster session; the LEAD 494 is a capstone experience
designed to demonstrate a level of competence commensurate
with the aims and objectives of the TR Program.
If my major requires an internship do I have to
do two internships?
No. The TR internship is designed
to coincide with any internship required within the discipline
major. TR Scholars are not required to do two internships.
However, they are required to include in the internship
required of their major discipline (assuming one is required)
a leadership component. All Leadership Studies Minor
independent studies, projects, internships and like projects
are designed with utmost student flexibility in mind. One
may substitute these credits for major requirements (with
Major advisor and TR Director approval,)
one may “cross apply” both a major requirement
and an LEAD requirement (with Major Advisor and TR Director
approval,) or, if it is to one’s advantage, one could
even complete two different projects, one if the major
and one for LEAD credit.Consult with the TR
Director for further detail.
Can I enter the TR Program at any time?
"Yes
and no." One may, with the Director's
approval, transfer into the program,
and it is possible, even for students
who have been at DSU for some time, to
begin the TR Program after their freshman
year. However, one must take all required
courses before graduating with TR distinction,
or have a contract for any exception
granted by the TR Director. "No," one
may not enter the TR Program at any
time; applications will only be accepted
for Fall entry into the program.
How
does one get removed from the TR Program and have their
scholarship revoked?
One can get removed from the TR
Program and have their scholarship revoked by being
placed on either academic or participation probation
for a second time, or by being placed on both academic
and participation probation in the same semester.
Will being in this program increase my chances
of getting into graduate school?
An undergraduate
degree with Theodore Roosevelt Honors
Leadership Program distinction, along with strong letters
of recommendation, a strong record of scholarly endeavor
and leadership experience, coupled with high graduate school
entrance exam marks, will make you a highly desirable
candidate, even at the top graduate schools in the nation,
and may well pave the way for graduate assistantships or
scholarships.
Contact: Dr. Jon Brudvig
Office: 701-483-2114
Fax: 701-483-2232 |
