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Honors in the Major

Qualified Political Science majors may receive honors in the major by completing an honors project, which will consist of a program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance. Students who meet the criteria given below will receive the designation “Honors in (field of study)” on their diplomas.

The Honors Project may be either a significant scholarly project (such as an extensive literature review, theoretical analysis, or empirical study) or a significant creative or organizational project (such as the establishment of a new program or service for an organization or agency or completion of a major specialized task on campus or in the community). While the project may be based on previous work (e.g., a seminar paper or independent study), it must represent a significant and original project over and above any past work.

If you are interested in Honors in the Major, please refer to the requirements and application steps below. 

Requirements for Registration:

A minimum Political Science GPA of 3.4 at the time of application. Must be completed in the summer before senior year or in the senior year. Students must earn an A- or higher on the project and have a minimum Political Science GPA of 3.4 at graduation for “Honors in Political Science” to appear on the diploma.  

The Honors Project committee will evaluate the final product and an oral examination.  

Course Designation:

Either a single semester project (POLI 496, 1 unit), or a two-semester project (POLI 495 and 497, 0.5 unit each). 

Faculty Advisor, Honors Committee, and Project Requirements:

The student must discuss the project idea with a Political Science faculty member and reach an agreement about the scope of the proposed research project, length of the paper, and a schedule of meetings and deadlines throughout the term. On average, students completing POLI 496 will spend eight to ten hours a week on the project (POLI 495 and 497 about four to five hours a week per semester). The Honors Project committee will consist of the faculty advisor and two additional faculty members, one being from outside the major.  

Application:

Students complete the application for Honors in the Major, which includes a three-to-five-page proposal and a preliminary list of sources to be consulted. Honors students applying for Honors in the Major credit for their distinction project can attach their distinction project proposal.