Honors
The Honors Thesis Program is a year-long course that provides academically ambitious and motivated undergraduates with the opportunity to conduct and carry out a substantial research project under the supervision of a Government faculty member. Students who successfully complete their thesis and other requirements are eligible for graduation with Departmental Honors/Special Honors in Government.
NOTE:
Our cohort model is shifting to SPRING/FALL, starting Spring 2024. Please see below for a sample timeline of completing the Government Honors Program from this point forward.
Junior Year - Fall: Apply to the program
Senior Year - Spring: Take the first course, GOV 679HA (3 credit hours)
Senior Year - Fall: Take the second course, GOV 679HB (3 credit hours)
Admissions Requirements
GPA: 3.50 minimum average in Government coursework
GPA: 3.00 minimum overall at the University
15 semester hours of Government courses completed (upon entering the Honors Thesis Program)
60 semester hours completed at the University (upon entering the Honors Thesis Program)
Must have secured a thesis supervisor from the Government faculty
Deadline to apply: October 20, 2023 by 4pm.
Please email our Honors Director, Dr. Dana Stauffer, with questions you may have.
Honors Seminars
The Department of Government also offers honors seminars (GOV 379) to undergraduates seeking to take more challenging and rigorous courses taught by the most distinguished faculty in the department. These courses are separate from the Honors Thesis Program and do not lead to the Special Honors in Government designation.
GOV 379 courses are usually offered in both Fall and Spring. You do not need to be in the Honors Thesis Program (or LAH) in order to take them. However, you must meet the minimum admission requirements noted in the course schedule.
If you have any questions regarding the Honors Thesis Program or Honors Seminars, please contact the advising office.
2018 William Jennings Bryan Prize Winner For Best Honors Thesis
George Elliott Morris
"The Role of Policy Preferences in Mass Belief Systems: How Much Do They Matter, and What Matters When They Don’t?"
Advisor: Bethany Albertson
