Hutton Honors College

Contact:
Professor Daniel Knudsen
Director
Woodburn 330
855-1816
knudsen@indiana.edu

1. How is your honors degree program administered? Is there a specific person who acts as coordinator? Is there a faculty committee?

Applications are to be submitted to Professor Knudsen, Director of the International Studies. The student defends the theis before a committee made up of the Thesis Director, the Director of International Studies and a third faculty member of the student's choice.

2. What are the requirements for admission into your honors program? How are students recruited for your program? May students recommend themselves?

All International Studies students are made aware of the program and the eligibility criteria. Students who elect to become candidates make an application to the director. To be eligible for the honors track in International Studies, a student must first complete 15 credit hours in the major. The student must have and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 in the major and 3.3 overall. {These criteria and the whole procedure including the application form are published on the International Studies Web site at http://www.indiana.edu/~intlweb/honors.shmtl.}

3. How does a student graduate with honors from your department?

By maintaining the gpa averages mentioned above, receiving a grade of A- or better on the thesis (the grade for the thesis will be given jointly by the Thesis Director and the Director of the program), and by successfully defending the thesis in front of the honors committee. While working on the thesis, the student will enroll in INTL I415 (Individualized Readings) followed by the honors section of INTL I400(Senior Capstone Seminar).

4. What is the nature of the senior project and what are the requirements for completing it?

The senior project will integrate the student's thematic and regional concentration coursework, and international experience in either a substantive original research paper or preformance, as appropriate.

5. Are there departmental resources available to support internships or research projects related to the senior project?

Not currently but some funds are expected to be allocated for student projects in the near future.

6. How might the work required for an honors degree be particularly beneficial in future endeavors?

Since International Studies is a multi-disciplinary program, the aim and anticipated benefit of each senior project will depend on each student's own goals and plans for the future. But, generally speaking, the senior project will give students experience in pursuing a research problem or a creative project in some depth under the mentorship of a faculty member. This is good preparation for students whether they plan to attend graduate or professional school or choose to enter into the job market.