Honors work in Political Science provides majors with an opportunity to participate in independent, in-depth research on a topic of their choosing, further developing their research, reading, writing, and presentation skills. An Honors project serves as advanced preparation for students who may be interested in graduate school or who wish to engage in more focused study of a particular topic.
The process of achieving Honors as a Rhodes College student is subject to both College and departmental guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for Honors in Political Science, a student must be either a Political Science major or an International Studies and Political Science Bridge major. A Political Science major must have completed 28 credits of Politics and Law coursework by the beginning of the research project, including PLAW 270. An International Studies and Political Science Bridge major must have completed 28 credits of major coursework by the beginning of the research project, including PLAW 270. At the time of application, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a minimum major GPA of 3.5.
FACULTY PARTICIPATION
The final Honors project requires the approval of an advisor, a departmental reader (second reader), and a reader from outside the student’s department, in accordance with College guidelines. The advisor must be a faculty member in the Department of Politics and Law. Students should ask faculty members to serve in these capacities during the spring semester of their junior year.
If students wish to work with an Honors advisor other than the faculty member teaching their section of Senior Seminar during the fall semester, the professor teaching Senior Seminar must serve as the second reader.
THE HONORS PROCESS
Students interested in learning more about pursuing Honors should communicate their interest to the Chair of the Department of Politics and Law by the spring semester of their junior year.