Honors Program in Sociology and Anthropology

The honors thesis offers motivated students an opportunity to develop and pursue independent research on a topic of their own interest. Working with a faculty advisor in the first semester of the senior year, the student will develop a proposal for research. The student may enroll in an independent study (Soc/Anth 452) and receive a course credit for developing the proposal. Alternatively, the student may consult with a faculty member to write a research proposal based on an idea that has come out of a project in another courses. If the faculty agrees that the student has developed a polished proposal, the department will appoint a committee to guide the student in developing the thesis the following semester. The thesis can be credited through a Soc/Anth 460 course or can be done as part of the Soc/Anth 400 course. During this semester, the student will conduct research, write an honors thesis, and give an oral presentation of research results to the department. If the final paper is deemed meritorious, the faculty will vote to award the student departmental honors for graduation.

For detailed guidelines and a timetable for completing the department's Honors program, click on the link below (includes links to IRB form and instructional guide on how to write a proposal):

Guidelines for Sociology & Anthropology Honors Program (will upload printable PDF file)

List of Past Honors Theses in Department of Sociology & Anthropology