WWU faculty must submit Honors seminar plans by January

Western Washington University faculty have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, 2027, to submit proposals for Honors College seminars for the 2027-28 academic year. The deadline applies to all instructional track and non-instructional track staff who wish to teach these specialized courses.

The Honors College provides at least 24 upper-division seminars each year. Each class is limited to 15 students and carries three credits. The courses are listed under course number HNRS 350. Students enrolled in these seminars are juniors and seniors declared in a wide range of major and minor programs.

The seminars are designed for advanced learners without subject-specific prerequisites. They often explore interdisciplinary topics and bring together students from different majors to discuss and solve problems. Many of these classes are experimental, allowing faculty to test new teaching methods that may later become permanent course offerings.

Faculty may submit only one proposal per year. The same seminar cannot be taught in consecutive years, though a professor can teach different seminars in back-to-back semesters. Team-taught classes are generally not accepted. If a seminar is not part of a study abroad program, it must follow the standard HNRS 350 format. Writing Proficiency points are no longer an option for these courses.

Applicants must submit a three-page, double-spaced description of the seminar. This document must include a statement on the instructor's pedagogical philosophy for creating an inclusive classroom. A sample syllabus is also required, detailing the weekly schedule, readings, assessment methods, and learning objectives. Class evaluations are mandatory. Faculty who have taught Honors seminars before must provide evaluations for those specific classes. Those new to the program must provide evaluations for similar seminar-style courses.

This year, submissions are accepted only through a specific online form on the university website. The Honors Advisory Board, which includes both faculty and students, will rank the proposals in January. The dean will then contact successful applicants and their department chairs to discuss schedules. The Honors College funds a course buyout for tenured and tenure-track faculty who teach these seminars.

Faculty are encouraged to notify their department chairs if they plan to apply. The Honors College dean, Kimberly Lynn, is available to discuss the process or ideas. She can be reached via email or by phone at (360) 650-4869.