I. Course Objectives

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most respected academic honor society in the United States. Founded in 1776 by students at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, it selects its initiates from the top academic students in the traditional arts and sciences disciplines. Today it has more than 500,000 members affiliated with 270 college and university chapters and 60 regional associations. UL-Lafayette does not have a chapter empowered to induct new members, but we do have a regional association, the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Southwest Louisiana, made up of members inducted at other institutions. One of our association's goals is to move toward meeting the criteria to be granted a charter by the national Phi Beta Kappa Society, which would allow us to induct new members here. To that purpose, we engage in a number of activities to benefit students of this university.

This section of the Honors Seminar is a venture intended to promote more direct interaction between Honors students and the members of the PBK association, from on-campus and off. Five members of the association will appear during the semester to deliver lectures on topics of their expertise. Each speaker will appear twice--one Thursday to present the lecture and the following Thursday to discuss it with the students. The motto of Phi Beta Kappa is: "Learning, morality, friendship." We hope through this seminar to contribute to the advancement of these worthy goals.

II. Grading

The course grade is credit/no credit. Each student who is present for at least 12 of the 15 class meetings and submits a satisfactory final essay will receive a grade of credit; anyone who misses more than three classes or does not submit a satisfactory essay will receive a grade of no credit.

The topic of the final essay is: "My Thoughts on Three of the Phi Beta Kappa Lectures." In an essay of from 250 to no more than 1,000 words (one to three pages typewritten or computer-printed), the student is to discuss her or his reaction to three of the lectures. It could be the three favorite, or the three least-favorite, or the three most intellectually provocative, or three chosen for any reason whatsoever. But a reaction in essay form to three of the lectures. The essay is due in class on April 21. 

III. Awards

The professor will read the essays and choose three for cash awards to be known as "The Phi Beta Kappa Essay Awards." First place is worth $100, second place $75, and third place $50. These awards will be presented at the awards banquet, hosted by the professor, at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at a location to be determined, in lieu of a final exam.

IV. Class Policies

1. Students are expected to attend class regularly. Roll will be taken each class day.

2. For class attendance, an excused absence is one of two types:

a. University business. Taking part in a University-sponsored event, such as a field trip, athletic event, or some other kind of scheduled activity beneficial to students.

b. Personal business. Sickness, family emergency, work, or other personal problem that prevents class attendance.

For either type of absence to be excused, the student must present the professor with written documentation signed by higher authority (coach, employer, doctor, professor, dean of students office, etc.) verifying the reason for the absence. Any absence without documentation is considered unexcused. For this class, no more than one absence can be fully excused; any beyond one will be taken into consideration in calculating the course grade. Excused absences must be corrected as they occur; do not wait until the end of the semester to try to correct this.

3. If you come to class, arrive on time and plan to stay for the whole period. Avoid being late for class, and do not plan to leave early, unless by prior arrangement with the professor.

4. Do your own work.

5. Emergency evacuation procedures. Any students who anticipate needing emergency assistance of any sort, including assistance in evacuating the building, should identify themselves to the professor. A map of this floor is posted near the elevator marking the evacuation route and the "Designated Rescue Area," the area where emergency service personnel will go first to look for individuals who need assistance in exiting the building.