Honors in the Major

Overview and Benefits

Students pursuing honors in the Anthropology major complete two courses. The first course is an honors section of ANTH 450 (offered every other fall—odd years) or another course chosen in consultation with the undergraduate director. The second course is an independent study (ANTH 499), in which students complete an honors paper written under the guidance of an anthropology faculty member. To graduate with honors in the major, students must complete these two courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

What are the benefits? Students have the opportunity to:

• Examine an issue beyond what is required for a regular course
• Collaborate one-on-one with a faculty member on a topic of mutual interest
• Further develop research skills
• Hone writing skills
• Share the work by participating in the college's Undergraduate Research Symposium
• Add a competitive edge to a resume and graduate school applications
• Receive honors in the major designation on your diploma

Eligibility

To qualify, students must have:

• Completed at least 60 credits, with at least 15 in ANTH
• Minimum GPA of 3.50 and a minimum grade of B+ in anthropology courses

In addition to meeting the above requirements, students must find an Anthropology faculty member who is willing to supervise their honors research. That faculty member will serve as the instructor of record for the independent study (ANTH 499) that is taken while writing the honors paper. Learn more about the interests and research of the faculty. You should identify this faculty member well in advance of the application deadline, as you will need to work with them to define the scope of your honors paper.

Application

Ready to apply? Complete the Honors in the Major application with your faculty sponsor and submit it to the Anthropology undergraduate program director, the faculty sponsor, and the undergraduate academic advisor. Applications for AY 24-25 must be received before May 15, 2024.