Department of Philosophy
Departmental Honors--B.A. in Philosophy (Departmental Honors Programs)
Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements PHIL-HON-B
Outstanding undergraduate majors in philosophy may be eligible for participation in the Philosophy Honors Program, a year-long research experience culminating in a substantial honors thesis. Participants enroll in PHIL-P 498 to engage in independent study of a self-selected topic in philosophy under the guidance of a faculty advisor. If the student's work in PHIL-P 498 provides a sufficient basis for confidence that the student will be able to complete an acceptable honors thesis, they enroll in PHIL-P 499 and continue working with their faculty advisor to complete a thesis based on their research. The Honors Program culminates with an oral examination by a committee of at least two philosophy faculty members, including the thesis advisor.
Requirements
- Honors Thesis Directed Research. Four (4) credit hours, completed with a grade of B+ or higher:
- PHIL-P 498 Honors Thesis Directed Research
PHIL-P 498 Honors Thesis Directed Research
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- Approval of departmental honors committee
- Description
- Directed research course preparatory to writing the senior honors thesis. Training in skills necessary for original philosophical research. Goals are to achieve appropriate mastery over a body of philosophical material relevant to the honors thesis project, and to develop core ideas for a successful honors thesis.
- Honors Thesis Course. At least three (3) credit hours, completed with a grade of B+ or higher:
- PHIL-P 499 Honors Thesis
PHIL-P 499 Honors Thesis
- Credits
- 3–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Approval of departmental honors committee
- Description
- None
- Honors Thesis. Complete a substantial honors thesis and submit to an oral examination by a committee of at least two philosophy faculty members, including the thesis advisor.
- Major GPA. Honor candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.500 in the Philosophy B.A. at the time of graduation.
- GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Students must have a College GPA of 3.300 or higher to qualify for admission to a Departmental Honors program and to receive Departmental Honors. Units may set a higher College GPA.
- Units establish additional criteria, including admissions procedures, academic performance standards, and whether there are required courses, papers, or projects.
- Students who wish to earn honors in two different units must complete a distinct body of work for each honors notation.
Exceptions to and substitutions for honors requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Prior to their last two semesters of enrollment as majors, interested students should apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies with a proposal outlining a rough topic of study and a list of at least two possible faculty advisors. This Honors proposal must be approved by the Departmental Honors Committee. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average in the major of at least 3.500, and this minimum must be maintained until graduation.