and beauty, religion and politics, the nature of virtue and the essential teachings of Christianity, among others. Each semester, participants take two to three Honors courses as a group, focusing on topics such as the History of Ideas; Plato’s Republic & Aristotle’s Politics; The Constitution and Tocqueville’s Democracy in America; and Textual Analysis of Plato, Pascal or Nietzsche. Other classes focus on a small select group of American authors such as Twain, Melville, Emerson, Faulkner or Eliot. As juniors, Honors Institute students focus on the writings of a select master such as Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Milton, Joyce or Dostoyevsky. In the final year, the Honors Institute Seminar deals with contemporary questions or focus on either non-Western or Latin American authors. “It was a community effort and a significant collaboration to put together the Honors Institute curriculum,” Thuot says. “Not all the great authors can be studied in the course of a college experience. But anybody who is educated would want to have at some point read works by Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Locke, Marx, Nietzsche, Tocqueville, Dostoyevsky, Dante, Homer, Emerson, Melville, Twain, Joyce and Shakespeare. There are terrific authors being left out, but that’s a list many people would agree with.” As students focus on classic and modern works of the great thinkers, they explore controversial issues, ideas and questions, often from opposite ends of the spectrum. In turn, they’re led to think about differing views and how those opinions shape their own thoughts and understandings. “Sometimes these ideas clash and that clash can stimulate thought and inform their own reflections,” says Thuot. “They have to think through their own answers.” Although many colleges promote great texts as a way to explore the history and importance of ideas, most do it as an overview. In a few cases, the entire curriculum focuses on great thinkers. But Belmont Abbey differs in a significant way. Honors Institute students enjoy exposure to great texts, but they also have majors. This year’s class plans to study in English, international business, theology, motor sports management and a combination of philosophy and business. In addition to coursework, Honors Institute students participate in a cultural enrichment program. Opera, dance, orchestra and theater events in Charlotte are available free or at a greatly reduced cost. Lectures and a beach or mountain retreat also are planned. Rising seniors can enjoy a month-long study abroad program with a $3,500 stipend or a five-night visit to Washington, D.C. organized by the Belmont Abbey College faculty.
Honors Institute Inaugural Class: hristine Basil, Maryland, History C Karen Boehmer, Illinois, Undecided Catherine Brandolini, New York, English Jordan Brown, Ohio, English Betina Bilodeau, Maine, Theology Leanne Cassandra, South Carolina, Sports Management Patrick Jacobeen, Virginia, Theology Louis Liberatore, North Carolina, Theology Jace Meier, Nevada, Motor Sports Management Rosa Munoz, Georgia, Psychology Thomas Varacalli, New York, History Esther Vish, North Carolina, English Rose Wagner, Connecticut, Theology Mary Wood, South Carolina, International Business
“Many times students who might not have seen modern dance, been to the opera or had the opportunity to experience theater find that they really like it,” says Thuot. “In the case of travel, there’s a broadening effect, an intellectual dimension from being exposed to different ways, different people, different cultures.” The Honors Institute drew 33 applicants for its initial class. High grade-point averages, impressive SAT scores and excellent character are a given for acceptance, but Thuot also looks for a quality among students that can’t be taught. “We look for the kind of student who desires to learn and who is open to learning in a way that does not preclude but goes beyond a specialization,” he says. “There is an openness and a desire to become more knowledgeable in regards to the really important issues and questions of human life. The intellectual qualifications are crucial, but there must also be a desire to learn in a deeper and broader way.”
“This is a group of wonderful young men and women, and all are persons of outstanding character. They are very conscientious; they write quite well; they’re inquisitive and they’re moving towards vocalizing their opinions. They are very impressive.” —Dr. Eugene Thuot, Director of the Honors Institute 22 Crossroads
The Magazine of Belmont Abbey College
Spring 2008