HONORS REQUIREMENTS:
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (CAS)
The University Honors Program encourages all students who are planning a Capstone project to submit their Capstone form, proposal and work plan well in advance of the deadline to allow the Capstone Advisor(s) and Honors Department Coordinators sufficient time to review the proposals. Students should contact their individual Honors Department Coordinator to confirm how much lead time he/she requires to review a Capstone proposal and about any preference for submitting a proposal electronically.
University Honors in American Studies:
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in American Studies): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
The American Studies Senior Capstone consists of a Senior Thesis. Students do original, interdisciplinary research culminating in a 30-40 page thesis. They meet individually during the research period with the Honors Coordinator and with a second faculty reader. They also meet several times as a group with the other students doing Honors research. Students take the Honors thesis as an Honors Supplement to AMST-410 Senior Thesis I and, if a 6-credit thesis, AMST-411 Senior Thesis II. To receive Honors credit students must complete the Senior Thesis with a grade of B or better, and submit the thesis to an annual American Studies conference, or participate in a colloquium on the thesis with two American Studies faculty members. Students may choose to do a Senior Thesis for 3 or 6 credit credits.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Bill Leap, Battelle-Tompkins T-23, x1831, wlm@american.edu
University Honors in Anthropology:
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Anthropology): 9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3 credits:
The Senior Honors Thesis is supervised by a faculty member in the Anthropology Department. Students register for ANTH-498 Senior Thesis in Anthropology (3 credits); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form. (All Anthropology majors take ANTH-450 Senior Seminar. This seminar is NOT part of the Honors Capstone requirement.)
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Bill Leap, Battelle-Tompkins T-23, x1831, wlm@american.edu
University Honors in Art/Studio Art/Fine Arts
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Art/Studio Art/Fine Arts): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
Students register for ARTS-490 Independent Study Project in Studio Art for 3-6 credits. If students choose to complete a 6-credit Capstone, the Independent Study should be completed over the course of two semesters. "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form. The Honors Thesis or Independent Study Capstone explores an area of concentration involving the development of a body of paintings or sculpture, supported by a written paper.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Zoë Charlton, Katzen Arts Center 212, x3851, charlton@american.edu
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University Honors in Art HistoryI. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Art/Studio Art/Fine Arts): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for ARTH-490 Independent Study Project in Art History for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester);"Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the independent study should be supervised by a faculty member in the Art Department. The student completes an Honors Thesis or Independent Study project based on research and analysis centered on a work or works of art studied in the original in a Washington museum.
- Option B: The student registers for ARTH-490 Independent Study in Art History for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester);"Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the independent study should be supervised by a faculty member in the Art Department. The Capstone consists of an exhibit mounted by a student curator, including the preparation of a descriptive catalog.
- Option C: The student registers for either ARTH-500 Approaches to Art History (3 credits - fall semester) or ARTH-520 Seminar in Art History (3 credits - spring semester) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement that links a major research paper to the course material. ARTH-500 and ARTH-520 are Departmental Capstones.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Helen Langa, Katzen Arts Center 101, x1682, hlanga@american.edu
University Honors in Audio Technology/Audio Production
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Audio Technology/Audio Production): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for ATEC-490 Independent Study in Audio Technology/Audio Production for two successive semesters; "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form. The Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the CAP Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Paul Oehlers, McKinley 107B, x2746, oehlers@american.edu
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University Honors in Biology
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Biology): 6 credits
Biology majors may take a maximum of 6 credit hours of biology-approved Honors Colloquia toward their 17 credit hours of upper-level biology courses. The Honors Colloquia effectively replace the independent study, internship, and/or biochemistry course options. Honors students completing a biology Honors Capstone may also use 3 of their 6 Capstone credit hours towards their biology course requirements.
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
Students register for BIO-497 Senior Honors Thesis I (3 credits in either the fall or spring semester) and BIO-498 Senior Honors Thesis II (3 credits in the following semester).
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Chris Tudge, Hurst Hall 6, x2033, ctudge@american.edu
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University Honors in Chemistry/Biochemistry
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Chemistry): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for any 6 credit combination of CHEM-398 Honors - Junior Year (3 credits in the fall semester), CHEM-399 Honors - Junior Year (3 credits in the spring semester), CHEM-498 Honors - Senior Year (3 credits in the fall semester), CHEM-499 Honors - Senior Year (3 credits in the spring semester), or CHEM-490 Independent Study Project in Chemistry (3 credits) for either sucessive or concurrent semesters.
The goal of the Capstone is to produce an acceptable write-up by the time the student wishes to graduate from the Honors Program. An acceptable write-up is often a formal thesis, but it could also be a manuscript submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal with the student as a co-author, or a presentation of the student's work at a national or regional Chemistry meeting (the CAS student research conference does not count) with at least an abstract of the work appearing in the conference proceedings.Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. James E. Girard, Beeghly 104, x1791, jgirard@american.edu
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University Honors in Computer Science
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Computer Science): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
Students register for CSC-490 Independent Study Project in Computer Science for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester);"Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the CAP Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Angela Wu, McKinley 104, x1476, awu@american.edu
University Honors in Economics
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Economics): 9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3 credits:
The student registers for ECON-480 Senior Research Seminar (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement.
Under exceptional circumstances, the student may petition the Honors Coordinator to register for ECON-490 Independent Study Project in Economics (3 credits);"Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Economics Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Mary Hansen, Roper 208, x3793, mhansen@american.edu
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University Honors in Education (Elementary/Secondary Education):I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Education): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for EDU-499 Student Teaching and completes 6 credits with a Capstone Supplement. The Capstone consists of a teaching portfolio which includes an action research project based on their student teaching as the Honors supplement.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Anastasia Snelling, Gray 116, x6278, ssnelli@american.edu
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University Honors in Environmental Science
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Environmental Studies): 6-9 credits
- Students must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Honors Supplements for any upper level courses that counts toward the Environmental Studies major.
- Students must complete an Honors Supplement for 08.492 Senior Capstone in Environmental Studies.
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
The student registers for ENVS-490 Independent Study Project in Environmental Studies for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester);"Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the ENVS Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Kiho Kim, Hurst 105, x2181, kiho@american.edu
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University Honors in Graphic Design
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Graphic Design): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for GDES-490 Independent Study Project in Graphic Design (3 credits) for two successive semesters; "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Art Department. The Capstone involves the development of a body of design work supported by a written paper.
- Option B: The student registers for GDES-490 Independent Study Project in Graphic Design (3 credits) for one semester or for two successive semester (3 credits each semester); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Art Department. The Capstone involves an exhibit mounted by student designer(s).
- Option C: The student registers for an Advanced Design course (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement that links a major paper or project to the course material.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Chemi Montes, Katzen Arts Center 221, x1697, cmontes@american.edu
University Honors in Health and Fitness: Health PromotionI. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Health and Fitness): 9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for HFIT-488 Senior Seminar (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement.
- Option B: The student registers for HFIT-490 Independent Study in Health and Fitness (3 credits); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Health & Fitness Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Anastasia Snelling, Gray 116, x6278, ssnelli@american.edu
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University Honors in History
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in History): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for HIST-480 Major Seminar I (3 credits - fall semester) and HIST-481 Major Seminar II (3 credits - spring semester) and completes both courses with a Capstone Supplement. All Honors students are required either to submit a research paper to the annual regional Phi Alpha Theta conference or the annual CAS research conference, or to participate in a colloquium on their research paper with History faculty teaching the major seminar and one other faculty member to be chosen by the student's major seminar instructor.
Department Honors Coordinator: Professors for the History Major Seminar I will serve as the History Coordinator. Students should see their respective professor. Fall 2008 History Seminar I professors:
Prof. Laura Beers, Battelle-Tompkins 161, x6379, beers@american.edu
Prof. Robert Griffith, Battelle-Tompkins 139, x2419, bgriff@american.edu
Prof. Kimberly Sims, Battelle-Tompkins 135, x2331, sims@american.edu
University Honors in Jewish Studies
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Jewish Studies): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for JWST-481 Senior Thesis I (3 credits - fall semester) and JWST-482 Senior Thesis II (3 credits - spring semester) and completes both courses with a Capstone Supplement. The Capstone Supplement involves creating a larger thesis project with greater length and depth of research.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Pamela Nadell, Battelle-Tompkins 155, x2425, pnadell@american.edu
University Honors in Language and Foreign StudiesI. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Language and Foreign Studies): 9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for LFS-490 Independent Study in Language & Foreign Studies (3 credits); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the LFS Department. The Capstone is designed so as to synthesize the work done in previous Honors courses in the major. It could entail writing an Honors thesis, doing a research project, a translation project, creating new teaching materials for language classes, etc. Most, if not all, of the readings for the course should be done in the target language.
- Option B: The student registers for an Advanced LFS course (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement that links a major paper or project to the course material. Most, if not all, of the readings for the Capstone Supplement should be done in the target language.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Ana Serra, Asbury 340, x2384, aserra@american.edu
University Honors in LiteratureI. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Literature): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for LIT-498 The Value of Literature (3 credits-fall semester only) and LIT-480 (senior project in Literature - spring semester only). Both classes must be supplemented. For LIT-498, Honors students are required not only to write a proposal for their thesis, but also to write a 15-20 page essay on the critical and theoretical background to the thesis they propose to write in LIT-480. In the spring, Honors students complete a Senior Project of a minimum of 50 pages, showing more breadth, depth and ambition than a senior project.
Students may complete a creative writing thesis providing:
1. That the student has successfully completed TWO creative writing classes
2. That the student has the sponsorship of a member of the creative writing faculty
3. That the project proposal has been approved by the instructor of LIT-498.Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Keith Leonard, Battelle-Tompkins 225, x2987, kdl@american.edu
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University Honors in Marine ScienceI. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Marine Science): 6 credits
Marine Science majors may take a maximum of 3 credit hours of biology-approved Honors Colloquia toward their 9 credit hours of upper-level biology courses. Honors students completing a marine science Honors Capstone may also use 3 of their 6 Capstone credit hours towards their 9 credit hour field station requirement.
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
Students register for BIO-497 Senior Honors Thesis I (3 credits in either the fall or spring semester) and BIO-498 Senior Honors Thesis II (3 credits in the following semester).
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Chris Tudge, Hurst Hall 6, x2033, ctudge@american.edu
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University Honors in Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Mathematics): 9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3 credits:
The student registers for MATH-490 Independent Study in Mathematics (3 credits); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form., and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Math Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Joshua Lansky, Gray 207, x3687, lansky@american.edu
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University Honors in Music
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Music): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for PERF-498 Department Honors - Senior Year (3 credits - fall semester) and/or PERF-499 Department Honors - Senior Year (3 credits - spring semester).
- Option B: The student registers for MUS-434 Private Instrument/Vocal Study (4 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement.
- Option C: The student registers for MUS-444 Senior Music Composition Honors for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement. If the Capstone is completed in two semesters, a major composition is required each semester.
- Option D: The student registers for an Advanced interdisciplinary colloquium or Music course (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement that links a major paper or project to the course material.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Karl Kippola, Katzen Arts Center 227, x3464, kippola@american.edu
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University Honors in Performing Arts: Theatre/Music Theatre
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Theatre/Music Theatre): 6-9 credits
Honors Independent Study at Level II is limited to 6 credits for students choosing a 3-credit Capstone. For students choosing a 6-credit Capstone, Independent Study is limited to 3 credits.
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for an Advanced interdisciplinary colloquium or Theatre course (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement that links a major paper or project to the course material.
- Option B: The student registers for PERF-490 Independent Study in Performing Arts for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Performing Arts Department.
- Option C: The student combines Options A & B and completes the Capstone Supplemented course (3 credits) with a related Independent Study (3 credits).
- Option D: The student registers for PERF-445 Senior Capstone (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement.
Capstone possibilities include the writing and performing of a one person show, the direction of a one act play, the design of a one act play (set, lights, and/or costumes) or the design of a mainstage production (set, lights, and/or costumes). Credits are allocated according to the depth, breadth and scope of the artistic endeavor.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Karl Kippola, Katzen Arts Center 227, x3464, kippola@american.edu
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University Honors Philosophy & Religion
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in RELG or PHIL): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
The student registers for either PHIL-498 Honors Project in Philosophy or RELG-498 Honors Project in Religion for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester). The Capstone is supervised by a faculty member of the Philosophy & Religion Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Ellen Feder, Battelle-Tompkins 118, x2931, efeder@american.edu
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University Honors in Physics
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Physics): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for PHYS-490 Independent Study Project in Physics (3 credits) for two successive semesters; "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Physics Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Philip Johnson, McKinley 164, x2761, pjohnson@american.edu
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University Honors in Psychology
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Psychology): 6 credits
- Level II Honors Colloquium courses approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee of the Psychology Department
- Psychology courses at the 300-level or above with an additional Honors supplement
- Courses at the 500-level with Honors Graduate Supplement form
- Independent studies approved for Honors credit
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for PSYC-498 Senior Thesis Seminar in Psychology (3 credits) for two successive semesters. "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form. During the semester, the student meets individually with the Capstone Advisor and sometimes also with the Department Honors Coordinator in a group with other students doing Honors research in Psychology. Any faculty member can supervise an Honors Capstone. A Psychology research course (PSYC-480 or PSYC-433 or PSYC-301) is a prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Seminar (PSYC-498) and should be taken during the junior year.
Either PSYC-480 Research Design and Methods: Experimental Psychology OR PSYC-433 Research Design and Methods: Social Science Psychology is a prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Seminar. Thus, Honors students should plan to take PSYC-480 or PSYC-433 during their junior year. The Psychology Department Honors Coordinator recommends that students start their research as early as possible, for example during the summer between junior and senior years.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Jim Gray, Asbury 307, x1716, jgray@american.edu.
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University Honors in SociologyI. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Sociology): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 3-6 credits:
- Option A: The student registers for SOCY-490 Independent Study Project in Sociology for one semester (3 credits) or for two successive semesters (3 credits each semester); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Sociology Department. The Capstone involves the creation and execution of a Senior Thesis. The thesis, or a shortened version, is required to be submitted to the annual Conference of Alpha Kappa Delta, the Sociology Honors Society.
- Option B: The student registers for SOCY-492 Major Seminar in Sociology (3 credits) and completes the course with a Capstone Supplement. As part of the course, he/she completes a paper that must be submitted to the annual Alpha Kappa Delta Conference.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Andrea Brenner, Battelle-Tompkins T-12, x2478, brenner@american.edu
University Honors in Statistics
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in STAT): 9 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 4 credits:
The student registers for STAT-490 Independent Study in Statistics (4 credits); "Honors Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the Capstone should be supervised by a faculty member in the Statistics Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Joshua Lansky, Gray 207, x3687, lansky@american.edu
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University Honors in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimumII. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in WGSS): 6 credits
III. Level III Options: Honors Senior Capstone: 6 credits:
The student registers for WGSS-500 Current Issues and Research in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 credits - fall semester) and WGSS-498 Honors Project in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 credits - spring semester). WGSS-500 is completed with a Capstone Supplement, which provides the basis for an independent research project to be completed during WGSS-498.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Gay Young, Battelle-Tompkins T-16, x2254, gyoung@american.edu
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