Honors in the Department of Religious Studies
To obtain Honors in Religious Studies, a religious studies major will engage in intensive, scholarly research culminating in a written thesis of approximately 40-60 pages in length.
To qualify for Honors, a student must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the Religious Studies major both at the time of application for Honors and upon graduation from the College.
A student seeking to do Honors Research should enroll in RS 399: Junior Honors Seminar with the member of the religious studies department who has agreed to sponsor the project during the second semester of the junior year. The purpose of this course is to do preliminary research in order to produce a proposal for the Honors project. The proposal must be approved by the Department′s faculty.
The Honors proposal must be submitted for approval to the Department of Religious Studies by Wednesday of the second week in September of the senior year. By the time the proposal is submitted, the student must have completed 30 of the 36 hours required for the RS major, including at least one 300 level course. The proposal should explain the course work and experiences within the Department that qualify the student for Honors work. The proposal will also clearly articulate the question to be addressed by the Honors thesis and the methodology to be employed in addressing it.
The student will secure the sponsorship of one faculty member of the Department (normally the supervisor of the students′ Junior Honors Seminar), who will serve as the primary thesis advisor. Two additional readers, one from the Department and one from outside of it, will complete the ad hoc Honors committee for the student. The second readers are selected by the thesis advisor in consultation with the Department.
In consultation with the Honors committee, the student will carry out a focused research project in the senior year. The schedule to be followed is given below. This project will normally carry six credit hours (three hours/semester) via RS 399: Honors Research Tutorial.
The Honors thesis must be approved by the three members of the Honors committee. They may accept it as submitted, ask for revisions, or reject the project. If revisions are requested, the committee must review the revised version and make a final decision. To receive Honors credit, the thesis must earn the grade of A- or better, according to the committee. If the project is rejected for Honors, the credit hours granted for the Honors Tutorial will be converted to D.I. credit. Honors thesis work will also include a public oral presentation open to the entire campus community.
A general timeline for Honors work is below:
Due Dates for Honors Projects, 2004-2005
Wednesday, Second Week Sept. First draft of proposal is due to sponsor and second readers by 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Third Week Sept. Second draft is due to sponsor and second readers by 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Fourth Week Sept. Proposal is due to the Department Chair by 3:30 p.m. (original and 3 copies)
Fourth Week Sept. Department faculty meet and discuss proposal
Monday, First Week Oct. Student, advisor, and readers are notified by the Department Chair of the faculty′s decision (accepted, rejected, or revisions required)
Monday, Second Week Oct. Revised proposal is due to the Department Chair by 3:30 p.m. (original and 3 copies)
Third Week Oct. Department faculty meet and discuss proposal
Fourth Week Oct. Student, advisor, and readers are notified of final decision (accept or reject)
Second Week January Mid-course assessment: a statement by the advisor on behalf of the committee indicating whether the student is making satisfactory progress is due to the Department Chair by 3:30 p.m.
Second Week March Draft of honors essay is to be delivered to second and third readers
Third Week March Committee notifies student and Department Chair of its decision (approved, rejected, or revisions required)
Third Week April Revised paper is due to the committee by 3:30 p.m. (original and 2 copies)
Fourth Week April Committee notifies student and Department Chair of its final decision (approved [A-] or rejected)
First Week May Final copy of Honors paper is due to the Department Chair by 3:30 p.m. (original and 3 copies)
