The goal of an honors education at Harding is the pursuit of enlightened knowledge that allows us to discern truth and strengthen our allegiance to Christ.
The Honors College offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that satisfies requirements in the University’s Core and allows students to individualize their education in upper-level courses through honors contracts. The honors curriculum is anchored in The Big Questions — those that humans spend their entire lives contemplating:
Who is God? Who are we? What matters? What’s our responsibility? How do we know what we know?
We pursue these questions not merely as an academic exercise but rather to create flourishing people who communicate effectively, think critically, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The following requirements are listed for new students in this academic year and for prospective students. Current students should consult the requirements listed the academic catalog associated with their first semester at Harding and reach out to honors@harding.edu if they have questions.
Additional requirements must be met to graduate with Honors College recognition.
Required in the first semester
- HNRS 2000 (1) – Honors Cornerstone
Required for incoming National Merit Scholars and Trustee Scholars in their first semester of Honors College enrollment
- HNRS 2020 (2) – Life and Teachings of Jesus (Gospels)
Choose at least three courses before the final year
- HNRS 2010 (3) – Communication and Critical Thinking (meets one of the following requirements in the Liberal Arts: COMM 1010, ENG 1110 or ENG 2110)
- HNRS 2021 (2) – Faith and Mission of the Church (Acts Through Revelation)
- HNRS 2022 (2) – Creation and Kingdom (Genesis Through Esther)
- HNRS 2023 (2) – Wisdom and Prophets (Job Through Malachi)
- HNRS 2030 (3) – The Big Questions (meets one of the following requirements in the Liberal Arts: ART 1010, THEA 1010, MUS 1010-1015, ENG 2010, ENG 2020, HIST 2100 or HIST 2110)
- HNRS 2040 (3) – Social Systems (meets one of the following requirements in the Liberal Arts: ECON 2010, POLS 1787, PSY 2010, SOC 2030 or global perspectives)
- HNRS 2050 (3) – The Physical World (meets one of the following requirements in the Liberal Arts: BIOL 1100, MATH 1200, PHS 1010, PHS 1020/1020L, PHS 1030, PHS 1050 or PHS 1060)
- HNRS 3750-3759 - Selected Seminar Topics in Bible and Ministry
- HNRS 4590 (3) – Seminar in Ethics
- HNRS 4750-4756 (0-3) – Selected Topics
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