The Baccalaureate Honors Program is flexible and intended to accommodate students’ individual needs. The program encourages students to enrich their academic, social, and cultural experiences by studying abroad or engaging in other co-curricular activities. Students in the BHP can earn honors credit for certain activities of this type. If a student engages in a semester abroad, or in a co-curricular activity such as (but not limited to) Model UN, or a semester in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., or elsewhere, there are different options for how to earn honors credit for these experiences.

  1. Honors Contracts: Consult with the Honors Director to see whether it is possible to arrange an honors contract in a course taken outside of Rider. This work would have to be evaluated by the faculty advisor for the contract and reviewed by the Honors Director. See more information about Honors Contracts here.
  2. Paper and Presentation (For Those Who Study Abroad Internationally Only): The Center for International Education (CIE) will contact all students who are abroad and ask if they would like to apply to be ambassadors for Study Abroad. If a student would like to use this ambassadorship to apply toward their honors credit for study abroad, they should respond affirmatively to the CIE’s request for applications. If accepted as an ambassador, students will be required to put together a short presentation about their experience. The presentation may be given once or more frequently, and will be arranged through the CIE. The primary audience of the presentation is students who are considering or planning to engage in a similar experience, and the purpose is to help them understand both the challenges and the opportunities afforded by this type of experience.

    In addition to the CIE ambassador presentation, students who choose this option must also write a 6-8 page paper upon completion of their study abroad experience. The paper must meet the criteria for a BHP course, which requires some research and formal citations of primary sources (or secondary sources if most applicable). At least 2 sources would be required for this paper. Students should talk with their supervisor (e.g., the Director of the Center for International Education, or a professor who went abroad with them, if applicable) and/ or with the BHP director about what types of sources would be most appropriate if they are unsure. 

    More information about what themes should be included in the paper and presentation can be found below after #3. This work will be evaluated by the Honors Director and by the supervisor for the experience.
  3. Paper Only: Upon completion of the experience, students may also choose to write a 12 to 15-page paper combining research and reflection on their experience (without doing any presentation). This work will be evaluated by the Honors Director and the supervisor for the experience e.g., the Director of the Center for International Education; the Model UN supervisor; a faculty member who mentors a semester in L.A. or D.C.; a play director or theater professor involved in the project, etc.). The paper must meet the criteria for a BHP course, which requires some research and formal citations of primary sources (or secondary sources if most applicable). At least 4 sources would be required for this paper. Students should talk with their supervisor and/ or with the BHP director about what types of sources would be most appropriate if they are unsure.

Themes to address in the paper (for option 2 OR 3) and/ or presentation should include the following (to the extent that they are applicable):

  • Incorporation of information from the 2-4 sources you find. (Remember, you need 2 sources for option 2 and 4 sources for option 3). The sources and how to incorporate them will likely vary by experience. Consult with your supervisor and/ or with the Honors Director if you're not sure about how to do this.
  • For those who study abroad: What did you learn about how people outside of the U.S. perceive America? What is your analysis of the reasons for these perceptions?
  • For everyone: How has your experience affected your perception of the U.S.A. (or of American culture), and of your host country (if applicable)?
  • For those who study abroad: How did differences in language, culture, and tradition affect the nature, method, and/or outcome of the study of your academic discipline (major or minor)?
  • For everyone: How has your experience influenced your academic or vocational aspirations and plans?
  • For everyone: How has your experience contributed to your education as an honors student?
  • For everyone: What are some of the particular difficulties you encountered during your experience, and how were you were able to meet or overcome them?

Due Dates For Completed Papers: Papers are due no later than four (4) weeks after completion of the experience (i.e., 4 weeks after the student returns to Rider). If the student needs more time than this to complete the paper, he/ she must discuss changing the completion date deadline with the Honors Director and the appropriate supervisor.

For GRADUATING SENIORS, papers are due no later than two (2) weeks after completion of the study abroad semester.

Criteria for evaluation:

Content:

  1. For those who study abroad: Demonstrates understanding of the host culture and the influence of the study abroad experience on the student’s perception of the culture.
  2. For those who study abroad or outside of Rider: Demonstrates understanding of perceptions of people outside the U.S./ outside NJ, and the reasons for their perspectives and inferences regarding the U.S.
  3. For everyone: Effectively incorporates outside sources and uses them to enhance the analysis of / reflection on the experience.
  4. For everyone: Effectively deploys persuasive evidence and analysis to support claims.
  5. For everyone: Articulates the value of the experience in terms of broader cultural enrichment and interdisciplinary education.
  6. For everyone: Exhibits deep reflection on the value of the experience to the student’s own academic and career goals.

Writing/Oral Presentation:

  1. Logical organization of ideas
  2. Clear and engaging presentation/writing
  3. Correct use of language and (for writing) language mechanics (paragraphs, punctuation, use of citations etc.)
  4. Appropriate level of diction/rhetoric for intended public

By satisfactorily completing a contract, paper, and/ or presentation, you will meet requirements equivalent to those for one 3-credit honors course. Credit will be awarded once the Honors Director and appropriate supervisor both give their approval of the completed product.