September 1, 2011

TO: Sociology Senior Majors
FROM: Jonathan Cutler, Chair
RE: Qualifying for Honors in Sociology


This is the time of year when rising seniors are invited to consider enrollment in the Honors Program within the Department of Sociology.

The Honors in Sociology recognizes excellence as displayed through achievement in both the course work undertaken within the department and in the completion of an outstanding senior research project. Students wishing to be considered for honors must notify, in writing (email, etc.), Sharon Smith (sasmith@wesleyan.edu) or Linda Cummings (lcummings@wesleyan.edu)—the Administrative Assistants who run the Sociology Office in the PAC.


1. The first step in the process is confirmation that a candidate meets all course-work conditions. To qualify for honors, a student must have an A- (91.7) average in at least 6 courses taken within the Sociology Department by the end of the seventh semester; however an A- average in five courses is sufficient to register as a candidate. If you’re unsure if you qualify or wish to petition for a waiver, please contact Sharon Smith or Linda Cummings in the Sociology Office. In requesting a waiver, you will write a brief explanation of the extenuating circumstances that would warrant authorization of a waiver for the Sociology GPA requirement.


2. The second step in the process requires each candidate to identify a member of the Sociology Department faculty willing to serve as thesis/essay advisor in the development and completion of a senior research project. You can ask your major advisor to serve as your thesis/essay advisor but students are welcome to ask another member of the Sociology faculty since your thesis/essay advisor is often chosen because of affinities between the essay topic and the faculty area of expertise.


3. In the third step of the process, candidates must choose between the two alternative modes for completion of a senior research project. Honors may be awarded through two distinct pathways:


Thesis: based on (a) a record of distinction in course work and (b) completion of a
two-semester senior thesis tutorial, culminating in a Thesis project which receives a grade of Honors or higher.


Essay: based on (a) a record of distinction in course work, (b) completion of a single-semester (FALL ONLY) senior essay tutorial and a written Senior Essay project judged to be outstanding; and (c) a successful oral defense of the essay. Only Senior Essays judged to be outstanding will be advanced to the oral defense.


Students will be able to enroll in the appropriate honors tutorial during the drop/add period, which will run from Monday, September 5 and ends on Friday, September 16. If you are enrolled in Soc 305—the Sociology Research Seminar, led by Professor Mary Ann Clawson—and you intend to pursue honors, please submit your name and Wes I.D. to the Sociology Office by Monday, September 19, 4:00 p.m.


Further stipulations for the honors essay process are as follows:

- The final draft must be submitted to the department office by Friday, February 10, 2012.
- Based on its evaluation of the essays, the Departmental Honors Committee determines which students move on to
  the orals stage. Each student presents and defends the essay at a public forum held during spring semester. The
  Oral presentations are ordinarily held in March.
- Senior theses are due Thursday, April 12, 2012.
- Once again, you should talk to your advisor if you have any questions.


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