Jason Mauck, a 20-year-old psychology major from Edgewater, thinks the honors designation will look good on his resume, even if he decides not to transfer to Stevenson or the University of Baltimore.
"You'd have to be a fool to pass it up," he said.
Mauck is working on a contract with his teacher for his class, "History of Homicide." In addition to exploring sensational murder cases, the course covers the history, psychology and legal aspects of homicides.
Mauck and his professor, Robyn Brown, have not settled on all the details. He hopes he can incorporate a visit to a prison or do a police ride-along as part of his contract. Mauck is looking forward to the extra instruction.
"Any question that you have you can ask your teacher all about it," he said. "You're not just sitting in your classroom staying quiet."
Brown, a professor in the college legal studies institute, said they also are discussing whether Mauck should examine a particular viewpoint of those involved in a homicide - the killer, the victim's family and friends, the media, or law enforcement. Mauck would have to do first-person interviews with police officers, crime victims and others.
"What I'm trying to avoid here is a 10-page paper on Ted Bundy," Brown said, referring to the infamous serial killer who terrorized women in the 1970s.
Koermer said the honors courses aren't intended to just pile on extra work. The college wants to give students in-depth knowledge on a subject and offer opportunities to do field work. Students could be asked to do a presentation, experiment, performances or research.
Not all teachers have to accept honors contracts. Susan Lamont, Catte's professor, said that she agreed to consider them because she likes working with highly motivated students. Catte made the process easy by coming to her with ideas.
"I'm kind of spoiled with Eileen because she knows what she wants to do," said Lamont, who is an assistant professor of biology.
Catte, 32, must scout areas on campus that might benefit from a rain garden and then determine how much rainwater the plants would have to divert. She also has to determine what type of pollution might be in the water and which plants would be the best filters.
Catte looked through plant samples Thursday at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis, trying to decide which ones might be useful for her rain garden. The environmental project is one she is familiar with as a regular volunteer at the foundation. She plans to consult with experts there as part of the project.
Catte, a business major from Severn, wants to transfer to a four-year college and eventually go into green building design. She didn't set out to earn an honors certificate. She signed on for the extra work for personal reasons.
"I care a lot about changing the world, not just moving into a job or a career," Catte said. "This is not just getting your homework done, but saying I want more."
