TheDukeofEarl

BC's Honors Program isn't designed to be a stressful "gauntlet" through which the students run. It is designed to provide a Socratic very-small seminar atmosphere for students who have been identified by the admissions process as promising or exceptionally motivated students. The seminar combines the core requirements for History/Social Science, Philosophy, English/Literature, Theology requirements all into one 4-semester/6-credit seminar called Western Cultural Tradition. It is very likely no more difficult than going off and taking eight separate 3-credit courses, except that there is a blending of the topics into one thread, you stay with the same small group and professor for the duration, so you don't end up rehashing similar topics semester after semester like you maybe would in a disjointed approach, and you also get some side perks such as access to own Honors library, and Honors housing if you want it. In short, it is not necessarily designed to be any more rigorous than the regular curriculum as far as I can tell, but it does come with some unique perks and aspects if you are looking for that.

As far as HC goes, I am surprised and also impressed that it has that level of academic rigor. Good for them!