DEPARTMENTAL HONORS

The honors program offers an additional opportunity for in-depth study. As an honors student, you will work closely with faculty in a 2-semester, 6-credit course sequence of study that leads to a B.A. with Departmental Honors in American Studies. 

In the first semester, honors students enroll in AMST 495 Honors Seminar in American Studies. This readings seminar meets once every two weeks to discuss books that represent cutting-edge thinking in the field. Each session is conducted by a different member of the faculty. Since the class is quite small, this seminar provides a wonderful opportunity to work closely, yet informally, with both faculty and other honors students. 

In the second semester, honors students enroll in AMST 496 Honors Research, pursuing an independent research project, working closely with an AMST faculty advisor, and sharing your progress with the other honors participants. 

Students undertaking the honors sequence are encouraged to apply for the Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarships in the spring semester preceding their senior year and to present their completed honors projects at the Provost's Undergraduate Research Day the following spring. 

To be admitted to the honors seminar you must be recommended by an AMST faculty member. Generally, you should have a 3.5 GPA in your AMST courses and should have completed AMST 100 and 290. However, a different mix of qualifications may also be acceptable under certain circumstances. See Dr. Edward Orser for further information, or ask any full-time faculty member for an application form.