Honors

Students should apply to the Honors program no later than two semesters prior to graduation. In most cases, students will submit the first part of their application during the Spring semester of their third year. Once students have been conditionally accepted to the Honors program, they may register for ANT 679HA for the Fall semester. To complete their application and continue in the Honors Program, students must submit the second part of the honors application by the first day of Fall semester classes.

Students interested in starting the Honors program in Spring semester should contact the Undergraduate Advisor or the Honors Advisor for information about application deadlines.

Honors Program Application Part 1 

• No formal application is required. To be conditionally accepted to the Honors Program, students must:
  • Schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Advisor who will verify that you meet the acceptance requirements and review the expectations of the program. Students will be asked to identify one or more Anthropology faculty members who they may request serve as their thesis supervisor. Note: when scheduling, please indicate that you are interested in applying to the Honors Program.
  • After you have met with the Undergraduate Advisor, qualified students will be required to submit the following by email to the Undergraduat Advisor:
    • A one-page statement that discusses your primary interests in anthropology and why you wish to write an honors thesis. Please also explain your preparation for undertaking an independent anthropological research project.
    • A copy of an academic paper that you have written for a UT anthropology course.
• Once you have met with the Undergraduate Advisor and submitted your statement and academic paper, you will be granted conditional acceptance to the Honors Program and authorization to register for ANT 679HA.
• Priority Deadline for Spring Acceptance: November 4th, 2024
• Final Deadline for Spring Acceptance: January 13th, 2025

Honors Program Application Part 2 

• Students conditionally accepted to the Honors Program must complete Part 2 of the Program Application by 5pm on the first-class day of the semester in which they intend to start the Program. Students who have not completed Part 2 by this deadline will be dropped from ANT 679HA.
• Students must submit by email to the Undergraduate Advisor:
  • A two-page research prospectus detailing: a) the problem your research will address; b) what you hypothesize the resolution of this problem to be (i.e., your thesis statement); c) the methods you will use; and d) your preparation for researching this topic.
  • A one-page bibliography of at least 5 academic sources that you propose to use in your research.
• Students must also receive written approval from a supervising anthropology professor in the form of a signature. This will be completed in the form of a DocuSign initiated by the Undergraduate Advisor.
• Your application will not be complete until your research prospectus has been submitted.
• Deadline for Spring: January 13th, 2025

• UT GPA of 3.0 or better
• Anthropology GPA of 3.5 or better
• Upper-division standing
• Strong interest in anthropology as demonstrated by previous coursework
• Submission of the Honors Application - Part 1 (Priority Deadline: November 4th, 2024; Final Deadline: January 13th, 2025)
• Submission of the Honors Application - Part 2 (Deadline: January 13th, 2025)
• Approval from an Anthropology professor willing to supervise the thesis
• Consent of the Honors Advisor

To earn “Special Honors in Anthropology”, students must:

• Maintain UT GPA of 3.0 or better
• Maintain Anthropology GPA of 3.5 or better
• Complete ANT 679HA Honors Tutorial Course: Readings with a grade of A-
• Complete ANT 679HB Honors Tutorial Course: Thesis with a grade of A-
• Complete an Honors Thesis approved by your supervisor and a second reader
• Give a public presentation of a synopsis of your thesis
• Receive approval from the anthropology department honors advisor

Those considering the Departmental Honors program may consult the Undergraduate Advisor for advice on preparation and scheduling. We encourage interested students to take upper-division courses and seminars as soon as their schedules and preparation permit. Writing-intensive courses are also strongly encouraged.