JCS Department Honors

Typically, JCS honors is earned through a rigorous research experience culminating in a thesis of no less than 5,000 words (excluding front and end matter) and an oral defense. However, an equally rigorous project that leads to a policy report or an electronic/website product may be the basis of departmental honors. In all cases, the final product is to be longer and more challenging than is commonly expected in coursework.

Eligibility

Any student who satisfies the following qualifications may participate in the program:

• Major in an undergraduate baccalaureate degree offered by the department
• 60 credit hours have been completed at the time the honors project is proposed with at least two semesters remaining to graduation
• 3.0 accumulative g.p.a. or higher
• A full-time member of the department’s faculty has agreed to advise and oversee the honors experience

Process

A student interested in earning honors in the major shall identify a faculty sponsor/advisor as they near their junior year of study. A student interested in honors is advised that faculty participation is entirely voluntary. The expected commitment of time, interest in the project, the prospect for future research and publication, and a student’s ability to succeed are common factors in a faculty member’s decision to participate.

The faculty advisor shall work with the student to identify two additional faculty members to serve on the honors committee. If appropriate, one full-time faculty member from outside the department, or a part-time JCS faculty member, may serve on the committee. The faculty advisor shall take the lead in providing advice and guidance to the student, but major questions of research methodology and final approval of the project shall occur by majority vote of the honors committee. The student is responsible for the preparation of the proposal, conducting the research, writing the thesis or other culminating documents, and coordinating the administration of the experience.

The proposal shall include a description of the intended project, the methodology, the members of the honors committee, the curriculum (see below), and a timeline. All members of the honors committee shall approve the proposal before the experience begins.

All honors in the major students shall present, in public, their findings or experiences. The honors committee shall determine the best venue and audience for the presentation. A traditional defense, poster or other presentation at an academic conference, and presentation at a university scholarly event are examples of acceptable fora.

The project shall be completed at least 60 days before the date the student is scheduled to graduate. If the student is seeking funding, a section entitled “Request for Financial Support” with a brief explanation of the needs for funds and a budget shall be added to the proposal.

Curriculum and Relationship to CLAAS Honors

The student and faculty advisor shall plan the curriculum for the experience. Typically, honors in the major is a two semesters experience, with three hours of graded honors/independent study during the research or preparatory stage and three hours of graded honors/independent study during the writing, field, or other project activities stage.

A student may earn CLAAS Honors and JCS Honors for the same project. The student and advisor, in consultation with the CLAAS Honors director and subject to the approval of the department chair, shall plan for appropriate substitutions, double dips, and DAR changes.

Program Completion

Honors in the major shall be awarded when the following requirements have been satisfied:

• The student is scheduled to graduate (and does so graduate) with a 3.0 accumulative g.p.a., or higher
• Completion of the proposed project, including the final defense/presentation
• A majority of the honors committee has approved the student’s final project
• The student has completed all of the required forms, and satisfied other process requirements

Recognition

Students who have earned honors in the major are recognized with a transcript notation and a certificate from department.

Student Support

A student who has an approved honors proposal may receive, as finances permit, a maximum of $500 for research expenses.

Faculty Support

Faculty advisors are entitled to $250 in professional development/expense funds, to be made available after the student completes the experience.