Sociology, B.A.

Honors

The Sociology Department has been accepted as a charter member of Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology Honor Society. The purpose of Alpha Kappa Delta is to promote human welfare through the association of a fellowship group interested in developing scientific knowledge that may be applied to the solution of social problems.

Student scholarship is recognized by Alpha Kappa Delta in several ways. The society sponsors student travel to regional meetings, supporting those who want to present their work and learn from the scholarly presentations of others. For example, one of our past graduates received an award to travel to the American Sociological Association meeting. Alpha Kappa Delta sponsors annual student paper contests, presenting awards that include monetary prizes, travel support, and scholarships. In addition, by funding research symposia and honoraria for guest speakers, the society supports chapter activities that further education.

Senior honors thesis

The senior thesis is intended to give the exceptional student an opportunity to pursue an intensive course of independent study under the direction of a department faculty member. The course culminates in a thesis completed during the senior year. Students enrolled in Honors (SOC 297) may be eligible for graduation with honors in sociology.

A student who wishes to have a thesis considered for honors should have the approval of the thesis advisor and must submit the thesis to a committee for evaluation. A thesis committee comprises one thesis advisor/supervisor and two additional readers, one of whom may be from outside the Sociology Department. Theses that have been considered or awarded honors in the department are on file in the Sociology Department office.

The senior honors thesis is an intensive course of study conducted under the direction of a department advisor. The project is a major undertaking during the senior year in which a student addresses a research question in consultation with faculty. Thesis projects vary from highly theoretical to heavily empirical, but all theses are expected to provide a critical overview of the relevant literature in the discipline, address a well-defined problem raised by this literature, and engage in the rigorous analysis of the research question. Through the research process students demonstrate mastery of the discipline by exceeding the expectations of regular course work and directed study.

Criteria

Majors who have maintained at least a 3.2 average in sociology courses are eligible for admission to the honors program. Others can be admitted only through a special petition process. Admission to the honors program does not automatically guarantee the awarding of honors. Students must first complete a satisfactory thesis involving research and writing over two semesters and defend the thesis near the end of the spring semester. Awarding of honors is the decision of the thesis committee.

Students who are accepted into the program but whose work does not ultimately meet the criteria for an honors designation will still be eligible for course credit, either for a semester of directed study or for a senior thesis without honors, depending on the level of progress. Students may also elect to withdraw from the program at certain junctures.