Departmental Honors--B.A. in Philosophy (Departmental Honors Programs)

In addition to having a Major GPA of 3.500, an Honors Program participant is expected to take PHIL-P 498 Honors Thesis Directed Research (4 cr.) under the direction of a faculty advisor, to engage in independent study of a self-selected topic in philosophy. Normally, the Honors Program participant will receive a grade for PHIL-P 498 on the basis of work undertaken; in order for a student to continue in the Departmental Honors Program, the student's work must earn a grade of B+ or higher and must provide a sufficient basis for confidence that the student will be able to complete an acceptable honors thesis. The candidate for Philosophy Honors designation must then take PHIL-P 499 Honors Thesis (3–6 cr.), again under the direction of a faculty advisor, and must complete a substantial honors thesis. The completed thesis must be examined and certified by a committee of at least two philosophy faculty members, including the thesis advisor. The thesis must receive a grade of B+ or higher in order for the student to qualify for departmental honors.

College of Arts and Sciences 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.

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.