Honors Program
Purpose of the Honors Thesis
The purpose of the honors thesis is to develop the independent research and writing skills of majors by enabling them (1) to design and implement an anthropological project of your own choosing, (2) to gain experience in carrying out a larger project, and (3) to familiarize themselves with issues and writing at an advanced level in their area of principal interest.
Requirements for the Honors Thesis
Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.5 in all course work taken in the major by the end of their junior year, including at least five graded anthropology courses. To receive honors, a student must, in addition to maintaining this level of performance, complete ANT 498 during the fall semester, receive a grade of an A- or above on the honors thesis (ANT 499), as well as a departmental recommendation. Note that ANT 498 is in addition to the other departmental requirements, though ANT 499 may count as one of the upper-level seminars. High Honors are similarly awarded by the department based on superior course work and an outstanding senior thesis.
Next Steps
A major desiring to become a candidate for honors in anthropology must apply in writing to the department within the first three weeks of the fall semester of their senior year. Submit a brief letter requesting permission to write an honors thesis to the major adviser and the departmental chair along with the proposal. Permission to write an honors thesis is at the discretion of the members of the department based on the merits of the research proposal. A detailed handout on the Anthropology honors thesis with the requirements, timeline, and expectations can be accessed here.
If you have questions or would like additional information about the Anthropology Honors Program, please contact Prof. Cho at hecho@davidson.edu.
Summary Timetable
Junior Year
1. If desired, plan a study abroad experience for fieldwork or a spring semester Independent Study to begin research on a possible thesis topic.
2. Talk with potential thesis advisers on a possible thesis topic. Register for ANT 498 in the fall semester of your senior year.
3. Write a draft of the proposal before the end of the year. If possible, submit a draft proposal to the thesis adviser for comments and suggestions before the end of the spring semester.
Senior Year
1. Submit the final thesis proposal as early as possible, no later than the Friday of the third week of the fall semester.
2. In consultation with the thesis adviser, choose the other member of your committee at the beginning of the semester. While it is your responsibility to request the other committee member’s participation, the department will make the final decision about the composition of the thesis committee.
3. Submit the draft copy of the thesis to the committee by the first Friday in April. The draft copy should not be the first draft but should be as close to a final draft as possible. This draft will serve as the basis for the department’s evaluation of the thesis and for the thesis defense.
4. Schedule the thesis defense during the last week in April.
5. Submit the final revised thesis in PDF in the first week of May.