Hutton Honors College

Contact:
William Smith
Academic Advisor
Religious Studies
Sycamore 230
855-3531
wsmithii@indiana.edu

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

Students should contact the Religious Studies Academic Advisor first. The advisor will help the student select a faculty mentor and coordinate the program to meet the student's individual needs. A second reader is required for the thesis project but there is no faculty committee.

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

Students may self select to pursue the honors program in Religious Studies which includes the honors classes R399 and R499. Students are required to have a minimum 3.3 GPA. Those interested should consult with the Religious Studies Academic Advisor first. Information sessions about the honors program are held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

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

Students must successfully complete the R399 and R499 honors thesis courses.

4. What courses do students take as juniors and before in order to prepare for working on the senior project? How are these honors seminars and courses typically conducted? What are the usual requirements in such courses?

R399 and R499 run in sequence. R399 is a research semester and R499 is the writing semester for the thesis project. During both semesters, students work with a faculty mentor of their choice. Students are encouraged to consult with the Religious Studies Advisor to plan additional course work which will help support their chosen thesis topic.

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

Yes, we have opportunities for students to participate in Service Learning Internships, Teaching Internships, and Individual Project Internships which can be related to a senior project. These opportunities require an application and a contract signed by a faculty mentor of the student's choice.. Please see the Religious Studies Advisor for specific details.

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

The thesis project is directed by a faculty mentor of the student's choice. Grades are assigned by the advisor; the second reader determines whether the thesis is "honors worthy." The successful completion of the project certifies the honors notation in the department.

7. What are the advantages for students who pursue the honors degree compared to a regular degree in your area?

For students who are graduate or professional school bound, or for those who enjoy research and writing, we believe the honors thesis experience is very beneficial. Participating in this project gives a student a unique opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor to develop and write a high quality thesis. There are other opportunities for students to pursue individual projects with a faculty mentor (other reading courses, for example) but the thesis project is the most demanding and the only option in the department to merit honors distinction.

8. Explain the background of honors course offerings in your discipline. When were honors courses or sections first offered? When was your honors degree program instituted?

Honors courses have been available since the birth of the department in 1967; documentation goes back to at least 1971.