Plan II Honors
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Plan II Honors is a major at The University of Texas at Austin, offered since 1935. It is an interdisciplinary program that grants a Bachelor of Arts degree.
The program is notable for its relative selectivity, as most students come from the top 5% of their graduating high school classes and possess an average SAT score of over 1400. Approximately 330 applicants are admitted each year, ideally leading to an entering freshman class of 180.[1] In addition, the program is particularly attractive to many for its extremely broad core curriculum.
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[edit] History
The Plan II Honors Program was founded by H.T. Parlin, dean of what was then the College of Arts and Sciences. It was of his opinion that professional training was not always justifiable in tax-supported institutions of higher learning. Although the ideal person would be educated in both the arts and sciences as well as vocationally, he claimed that it was impossible to do justice to both in reality. Professional training would usually adversely affect existing liberal arts curricula, he claimed.
As a result, Parlin founded the program in 1935 with a handful of students intent on spending four years precluding all professional courses. They would focus on "knowledge of science, a study of society, and finally an appreciation of culture and the arts."[2]
Parlin also noted that "the main point to be noted concerning Plan II are that it stresses general education rather than specialization, liberal culture rather than vocational training; that the four years are mapped out with the underlying idea that social sciences are increasingly important and that the great thing to be understood."[3]
Plan II had its first graduating class in 1938-9, and provided them a year-long course with a 200 book reading list, and a daunting test covering themes from the set of readings at the end of the course. Sample questions include:[4]
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- History shows that human beings have always tried to keep old customs but have never been able to prevent their institutions from changing. What sort of factors are always changing the character of human society?
- What, to your mind, is the most convincing evidence that there has been an evolution of plants and animals?
- What general method does Guerard follow in his examination of the problem of the relation of Society and Literature, and what conclusions, if any, does he reach?
[edit] Curriculum
The core curriculum consists of a year-long freshman course in world literature, three semesters of interdisciplinary tutorials and seminars, a year-long sophomore philosophy course, a semester of social science, two semesters of non-U.S. history, a four-semester sequence in modes of reasoning, theoretical mathematics or calculus, life sciences, and physical sciences. The program culminates with a senior thesis, which is a major undertaking involving independent research and writing on a subject of the student's choice. Although it can be completed in one semester, many opt to spend a full academic year working on their thesis.
In addition to the Plan II curriculum, students must fulfill University of Texas at Austin and College of Liberal Arts requirements in Texas and American government, American history, foreign language, fine arts and humanities, as well as an additional math or science credit.
Plan II courses are generally small, and are taught by some of the University's most distinguished faculty.
[edit] Students, faculty, and staff
The large number of elective hours in the Plan II degree allow students some flexibility in their academic career. Almost half of Plan II students elect to earn an additional degree in a wide range of subjects, ranging from engineering to the fine arts. In addition, many others earn a major in addition to Plan II within the College of Liberal Arts. Plan II is still a major in itself, and more than a quarter of students complete the Plan II major only.
Plan II students have received many accolades in recent years, including the Rhodes Scholarship, the Marshall Scholarship, the Truman Scholarship, the Fulbright Fellowship, and numerous other grants and awards.
In December 2005, the director of Plan II, Dr. Paul Woodruff, announced his resignation after fifteen years of service to devote more time to teaching and writing. Dr. Michael Stoff, an historian, has been appointed interim director for 2006-07, while an international search is conducted for a new Director.
Plan II Honors is often unfamiliar to those not affiliated with the program. As a result, many self-deprecating jokes exist among the Plan II student body, such as, "I don't have a major, but I Plan II."
[edit] Notable Plan II alumni
[edit] References
- ^ Applicants Plan II Honors Program.
- ^ H.T. Parlin, Father of Plan II The Daily Texan. 15 November 1937.
- ^ Anderson, Jim. "Dean Parlin's Liberal Arts Plan II to Attract Cream of High School Graduates." The Daily Texan. 16 September 1937.
- ^ TC 60 exam, 1938-9 Plan II Honors Program.
