anthropology honors thesis

• Utility Menu

• Internal Resources
• EDIB Committee
• Honors & Theses

Anthropology concentrators pursue a diverse range of topics and places that covers every time period from the pre-historical to the present, and every major world area. Recent senior honors thesis have investigated:

• The relationship between the Boston Catholic Church and its Spanish-speaking members
• Islamic Finance in Malaysia
• A Cancer Ward in Kenya
• Stigma in the Lives of Unmarried Women in Contemporary China
• Challenges in Housing Rights Advocacy in Bolivia

The requirements for honors eligibility are distinguished by program. Certain honors recommendations are possible without a thesis. 

Students are encouraged to consult A Student's Guide to Reading and Writing in Social Anthropology and the AnthroWrites website.

• Archaeology Honors
• Social Anthropology Honors
• Combined Archaeology-Social Anthropology Honors

Thesis Track (12 courses)

• Including one Archaeology Graduate-Level Research Seminar (2000-level)
• ANTH 99: Thesis Tutorial in Anthropology, a full-year writing workshop, culminating in the submission of a senior thesis and an oral thesis examination.

Non-Thesis Track (10 courses)

All graduating seniors in Archaeology who are not thesis candidates and have taken a 2000-level course may be considered for a non-thesis honors recommendation of Honors (but not High or Highest Honors), provided that their concentration grade point averages calculated at the end of their next to last terms are among the highest twenty-five percent of non-thesis candidates in their graduating class in Archaeology. To be considered for a High or Highest Honors recommendation in Anthropology, a student must complete a thesis, in addition to the requirements specified above.

• Basic Concentration Requirements

All graduating seniors in Social Anthropology who are not thesis candidates may be considered for a non-thesis honors recommendation of Honors, provided that their concentration grade point averages calculated at the end of their next to last terms are among the highest twenty-five percent of non-thesis candidates in their graduating class in Social Anthropology. To be considered for a High or Highest Honors recommendation in Anthropology, a student must complete a thesis, in addition to the requirements specified above.

All graduating seniors in Combined Archaeology and Social Anthropology, who are not thesis candidates may be considered for a non-thesis honors recommendation of Honors (but not High or Highest Honors), provided that their concentration grade point averages calculated at the end of their next to last terms are among the highest twenty-five percent of non-thesis candidates in their graduating class in Combined Archaeology and Social Anthropology. To be considered for a High or Highest Honors recommendation in Anthropology, a student must complete a thesis, in addition to the requirements specified above.

• For Prospectives
• Concentration Requirements
• Research & Study Abroad
• Program Contacts
• Anthropology Undergraduate Advising Packet (2023-2024)

Quick links

• Directories

Honors Program

The next application deadline will be January 19, 2024.

Entry Requirements  | Course Requirements | Scheduling Classes & Research | Advisor Selection | Honors Project & Thesis | Completion Requirements | More Information

The Honors Program in the Department of Anthropology is open to students with an exceptional academic record and allows undergraduates to pursue special research interests. Honors students design, conduct, and report on an original research project under the guidance of a faculty adviser. The program builds a community of undergraduate scholars within the Department of Anthropology, providing them with opportunities to work closely with UW professors in independent study and research, and provides excellent preparation for graduate school. The Honors Program is designed to expand and intensify academic experiences in Anthropology. Students who complete the Honors Program, including coursework and an honors thesis, graduate "With Distinction in Anthropology," which is noted on their transcripts and diplomas.

Entry Requirements

How do i get into the uw anthropology honors program.

Here is a list of the requirements for entry to the program. To protect and maintain the integrity of the program we are quite strict about these requirements.

• Be a declared major in Anthropology
• A minimum of two quarters of prior study at UW prior to applying to the honors program, but this requirement may be waived for transfer students with the approval of their prospective honors adviser.
• Passing grades for a minimum of fifteen credits of UW Anthropology classes.
• A passing grade for BIO A 201, or any 200-level ARCHY course, or any 200-level ANTH course.
• A cumulative 3.7 GPA in anthropology courses taken at UW.
• A cumulative 3.3 GPA for classes taken at UW.
• Have met with a potential faculty adviser to support your application to the Honors Program.

If you're all ready to go, here's how to apply:

• Download and fill out the  UW Anthropology Honors Program Application Cover Sheet (PDF) and return it to the Honors Coordinator faculty mailbox in the Anthropology Office by 5 PM on the 3rd Friday of Winter Quarter.
• Meet with your adviser to discuss your plans and request a support email. Your adviser will email directly to the Honors Coordinator.

Admission to the Anthropology Honors Program is competitive; fulfillment of minimum eligibility requirements, or membership in the College Honors program, does not guarantee admission. All students hoping to enter the Anthropology Honors Program (including College Honors students) must apply during the first three weeks of Winter Quarter for the following academic year. We accept the top-ranked fifteen students each year.

Course Requirements

What special classes do i need to take in the honors program.

There are two special Honors classes, ANTH 399, which is the class you start your Honors work in, and ANTH 491, which is the class you finish it in. You must take these two classes in person on the UW-Seattle campus. It is not possible to take them remotely, by a course of independent study or substitute them with other classes. They are offered every Spring Quarter, and only in Spring Quarter. If your project involves overseas travel, you should plan carefully to be on campus for these classes. Here are the details of these two classes:

ANTH 399 Honors Research Methods (5 credits, Numerical grade)

This course is a seminar offered every spring quarter for students beginning the Honors Program. This seminar is designed to teach students the skills necessary to produce a research proposal for an undergraduate honors thesis in anthropology. Students are introduced to widely used methods of data collection. In addition, they define a research problem, complete a literature review, and, with the guidance of a faculty thesis adviser, complete a proposal for feasible, theoretically focused thesis project. Students will hear guest presentations from honors students completing their projects to get direct insights into the research process. Enrollment is restricted to students accepted in the Anthropology Honors Program. A grade of 3.3 or higher for this class is required to continue in the Honors Program.

ANTH 491 Honors Colloquium (2 credits, Credit/No Credit)

Honors students are required to enroll in spring quarter of their senior year. Honors students completing their theses present the results of their research for one another, as well as students entering the honors program and currently enrolled in ANTH 399. This class is run concurrently with ANTH 399. Students registered for 491 make a series of presentations to the class throughout the quarter to share their experiences of the research process with the 399 students who are just starting their project. The number, schedule and other requirements of the presentations is determined by the 399/491 instructor. The grading for 491 is simply credit or no credit.

Scheduling Classes & Research

How should i schedule my honors classes and research.

You should apply to the honors program in Winter Quarter, applications are due to the honors coordinator's mailbox by the 3rd Friday of Winter quarter. Once you're notified of acceptance, you should immediately register for ANTH 399 in Spring Quarter. This ANTH 399 class is only offered in the Spring Quarter so it is vital that you arrange your schedule to include it. You should aim to complete your work and submit your thesis at the end of the following spring quarter, so that the whole project takes twelve months. Extensions to the normal honors schedule are possible (for example, to incorporate a study-abroad trip into your project) but these must be approved and endorsed in writing by your advisor and permission granted by the Honors Coordinator.

How do I register to do the research?

When you do research for your Honors thesis you need to be enrolled in ANTH/BIO A/ARCHY 466 Anthropology Honors Thesis. You must complete ANTH 399 with a grade of 3.3 or higher before you are eligible to register for ANTH/BIO A/ARCHY 466. This course provides credit for students completing thesis research and writing. You can enroll for between one and nine credits per quarter, and you need a minimum of nine credits to complete the program. You may not take more than 18 credits of this class. You must talk with your adviser before registering for two reasons. First, you need to present to your adviser your schedule of research and discuss how you'll distribute your credits appropriately over the year of your project. For example, if your project requires fieldwork then you might take a relatively high number of 466 credits for the quarter when you do the fieldwork to reflect your time invested on the project during that time. The second reason for talking with your adviser each time your register for 466 credits is that you'll need your adviser's registration code to register for 466 credits. If your adviser knows how many credits you're taking with them before you start the quarter, then they can plan their quarter to give you to the time you need to meet with you and advise on your work.

Advisor Selection

How do i select an advisor.

There is one firm rule that governs who may advise anthropology Honors projects. The first is that the adviser must be on the current list of full-time and research faculty in the UW Department of Anthropology or on the current list of adjunct, affiliate, emeritus, and retired faculty. This is a strict rule, but you are welcome to seek advice and mentoring from anywhere. For example, you might be interested to work on the project of a senior graduate student who would advise on many details of your project. That would be fine, but you still need a faculty adviser who takes overall responsibility for your project and will sign your documents (ideally your adviser would be the graduate student's adviser also).

Our general advice is that you talk to a few different faculty before you choose an adviser to get a sense of their enthusiasm for your interests and how useful their advice will be to you. Because of the diversity of topics, not all faculty may be suitable for your project. When selecting an adviser, you should consider 1) how well you know them, 2) what kinds of experiences you have had working with them in the past (in class, for example), and/or 3) how well their own research/teaching interests line up with your research topic. 

Your adviser wants you to do a great project and is a valuable resource for learning about the research process, so you should not hesitate to ask them 'how can I do this better?' and 'am I making the best use of my time?' Similarly, you should be receptive to their advice and responses to your questions. The student-adviser relationship is not without personal dimensions and a good working relationship with your adviser can avoid a lot of difficulties and uncertainty. It's worth noting that your adviser is also the person who grades your final thesis.

Honors Project & Thesis

How do i decide what to do my honors project on.

This can be a challenging decision! Some students register for honors knowing exactly what they want to do, but most have just a general idea that they're interested in researching something anthropological. You may need to brainstorm a few possible topics before registering. Some of the best past honors projects have been on anthropological topics connected to the students' personal lives, so ask yourself what's interesting and important about your life that could also be an interesting anthropological topic. You must also reflect on the topics you've covered in your college classes and see what you find stimulating enough to work on for a year-long project. Before registering, you should consult with your potential faculty adviser to narrow down your possible projects to the most suitable one. The ANTH 399 class helps you work that topic into a formal research proposal, but you need to have a strong sense of your project before beginning this class.

How do I write an honors thesis?

You are required to write a thesis documenting your honors research. The final copy must be submitted for your adviser's approval before you graduate. There are two options for the formatting of your thesis. The first option is to format your thesis as a manuscript to be submitted to a suitable peer-reviewed journal. This means you must follow the directions about word length, text size, page layout, tables, figures, etc. provided by the journal. You must discuss with your adviser if this option suits your project and to determine which journal would suit your research. The second option is a double-spaced text, single sided, one inch all-round margins with a 11pt serif font (such as Times New Roman), including page numbers, an abstract and title page including your name and your adviser's name. P age limits and requirements will be worked out in collaboration with the thesis adviser.   There are many excellent resources to help you with the details of thesis-writing, one of our favorites is 'How to Write a Better Thesis' by David Evans and Paul Gruba, and your adviser will be able to suggest more.

Completion Requirements

What are all the requirements for completing the uw anthropology honors program.

Here is a summary of the requirements you need to fulfill to complete the program:

• Complete all course requirements for a bachelor's degree in anthropology.
• Complete at least 20 credits of UW anthropology courses at the 300-level or above, of which at least 10 credits must be at the 400-level. Note: Credits accumulated in Honors courses (ANTH 491, ANTH 399, ANTH/ BIO A/ ARCHY 466) do not count towards this requirement.
• Complete ANTH 399 with a grade of 3.3 or better.
• Complete ANTH 491 with a pass grade.
• Complete at least 9 credits of ANTH/ BIO A/ARCHY 466 Anthropology Honors Thesis (but not more than 18 credits).
• Present summaries of your research process in ANTH 491.
• Maintain at least a cumulative UW 3.3 GPA, and a 3.7 GPA for all UW courses taken in or outside the Department of Anthropology as part of the requirements of the anthropology major.

More Information

Who do i speak to for more information.

Please contact [email protected] with questions about the Honors Program, directing them to the Honors Coordinator as necessary.

•   Instagram
•   Twitter
•   YouTube
•   Newsletter

Anthropology

Honors in anthropology.

• Undergraduate Studies

Anthropology Concentration Handbook

An honors thesis is required to graduate with honors in anthropology.

The opportunity to pursue honors in anthropology is a privilege. Students are selected to become honors candidates based on a number of criteria, including standing and grades in the concentration, a viable research project, the support of a faculty advisor, and submission and approval of the proposed project. An honors thesis is required for graduating with honors in anthropology. Writing an honors thesis, however, does not guarantee graduation with honors. If a student pursues an honors thesis that is not conferred honors status, the student's record will show that s/he successfully completed a Senior Thesis (described below).

Students must apply to become an honors candidate by the end of the semester before they begin their thesis work, ordinarily at the end of the sixth semester.

To be eligible to apply for honors, students must:

• Be in good standing
• Have completed at least two thirds of the concentration requirements by the end of the sixth semester.
• Have earned a majority of "A" grades in the concentration. Classes taken S/NC will count as qualifying towards that majority if they are marked “S* with distinction” indicating that had the student taken the course for a grade, the grade would have been an "A."

Both your primary thesis advisor and secondary reader for your honors thesis in Anthropology must be anthropologists. Additional readers from outside of anthropology are welcome to participate.

Your primary thesis advisor must be a core (permanent) faculty member in the department. It is a good idea to have taken a class with the proposed thesis advisor, so that s/he has an idea of the student's interests and abilities and so that the student has a good idea of the faculty advisor’s approach to research. Adjunct and visiting faculty in the department may also serve as the primary thesis advisor, in special circumstances and with approval of the DUS, but typically serve as secondary readers.

Students interested in pursuing honors should have an idea for a thesis project by the spring semester of the junior year. Many faculty advisors limit the number of theses they advise per year, so it is good to approach a faculty member early. The Director of Undergraduate Research (DUR) is available to assist prospective thesis writers as they develop their projects.

Prepare a thesis proposal of 2-3 pages, describing the major research questions and methods to be used. The proposal should have a primary research question and will define what you are doing for your research (and why). The proposal must have a working bibliography attached. Candidates will prepare their proposals in close consultation with their primary advisor. Submit the thesis proposal, with the proposed faculty member’s approval, to the Director of Undergraduate Research in anthropology by the end of the spring semester of your junior year (specific dates are specified each year).

Some of the issues to be addressed in the proposal are:

• What is the primary research question?
• How does the proposed study articulate with prior anthropological research?
• What is novel/new/different about the proposed research?
• What is the theoretical grounding of the research?
• What methods/samples/study area will be used in the research?

As students proceed with the honors project, the direction taken may differ than that originally outlined in the proposal. In consultation with the primary faculty advisor, the student will identify a second reader, who will sign on to the project by the second week of the student's senior year (or seventh semester).

Once accepted as honors candidates, students will pursue a course of study that goes beyond what is expected of a regular concentrator. This includes:

• Enrolling in two ANTH 1930, Anthropology Thesis Workshops (half-credit courses that meet in the fall and spring semesters)
• Enrolling in 1 independent study course with your thesis advisor: ANTH 1970. This course is normally taken in the student’s final semester and supervised by the student’s thesis advisor. Students may opt to take two semesters of ANTH 1970 (fall and spring) alongside ANTH 1930, especially if recommended by their advisor. These courses may be taken for a grade or S/NC. In cases in which the student has begun early research, there is the option of taking ANTH 1970 in the spring of the junior year. These courses are in addition to the nine courses in ANTH required for the concentration.
• Regular meetings with the faculty advisor & drafts turned in at established intervals during the year.
• If your research involves ethnographic fieldwork, determine whether your project needs IRB approval. For more information, see Undergraduate Work Involving Human Subjects Research .
• Consulting with the primary thesis advisor to identify a second reader. The second reader should complement the advisor in some way. For example, if the advisor’s specialty covers the subfield (medical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology, political anthropology, feminist anthropology), the second reader’s specialty may cover the geographical region of your interest, or vice versa. The second reader should be selected at the start of the seventh semester.
• Submission of final thesis to the thesis advisor, second reader, and Director of Undergraduate Studies no later than April 15 for May graduates and November 15 for December graduates.
• Presentation of the thesis in the Honors Theses Symposium in the Anthropology department. Generally, the student prepares a fifteen-minute presentation that summarizes the topic, sources, methods, and conclusions of the thesis. After the presentation there is time for questions and comments from the audience.

All honors theses must be based on original research and advance an argument. The thesis must be more than a report on existing scholarship. It must advance an original argument or analysis, either by presenting new sources or data or by bringing a new interpretation to bear on known sources.

That research might involve:

• Ethnographic fieldwork.
• Archaeological or biological anthropological laboratory work.
• Critical analysis of data and arguments presented in published sources.

The thesis may take a variety of forms. The candidate and primary advisor should decide on the format at least two semesters in advance of the thesis completion (typically September of the candidate’s graduating year). Once the candidate and primary advisor settle on a format, the Director of Undergraduate Research should be contacted for final approval.

Possible thesis formats include:

• A traditional thesis format, approximately 12,000 – 17,000 words (50-70 pages) in length.
• A paper prepared in the format of a journal article, approximately 40 pages in length.
• A policy report (aimed at a particular organization) based on original research (e.g. a report for a university committee addressing sexual assault on campuses after substantial research devoted to understanding and analyzing the phenomenon).
• A public facing exhibition based on original research (to be evaluated based on content and curation).
• A website based on original research that seeks to make such research publicly available (to be evaluated based on content and success of design).
• Audio-visual material or film (best for those with prior film experience, to be evaluated based on content, analysis, and success of film execution).

All written material should adhere to the following format and citation requirements, unless an article is being prepared for submission to a journal, in which case that journal’s format may be used:

• Times New Roman (or a close equivalent), 12-point font
• One-inch margins
• Double spaced text
• American Anthropological Association (AAA) citation style ( Chicago Manual of Style , 17th edition )
• Anthropological archaeologists may substitute the American Antiquity style
• Deliver a complete draft of the thesis to the primary advisor and secondary reader at least one month in advance of the deadline (generally, immediately before or after spring break).
• Deliver a final draft of the thesis to the primary advisor, secondary reader, and DUR by the appointed deadline.
• The primary advisor will determine the grades for ANTH 1970. The final determination of Honors will be made by the faculty committee in consultation with the DUR.

All students who satisfactorily complete ANTH 1970 will receive course credit for their thesis work. In order to receive Honors in anthropology, however, several additional criteria must be met. Upon submission of the thesis, the student must:

• Have remained in good academic standing throughout the academic year.
• Have had no violations of the academic code of conduct during honors candidacy.
• Have completed all requirements for the concentration.
• Have produced a thesis that meets the expectations for honors work established by the anthropology department.

Two honors students from the Class of 2021 share some advice on thesis writing here  

If a student has a viable research project and the support of a faculty member, but does not meet the eligibility for pursuing honors, the student may write a senior thesis in anthropology, with the approval of two faculty members. A senior thesis writer will also be expected to take the thesis workshop and independent study and has the option to present his or her work at the end of year symposium. Senior Theses generally follow all of the requirements and guidelines of the Honors Thesis, although with a later deadline for the thesis proposal (start of the seventh semester).

As with an Honors Thesis, the Senior Thesis must be more than a synthesis of or report on existing scholarship. It must advance an original argument or analysis, either by presenting new sources or data or by bringing a new interpretation to bear on known sources.

Senior Honor Thesis

Anthropology

Senior honors thesis.

The Anthropology Honors Thesis program provides outstanding seniors the opportunity to conduct original scholarly research under the mentorship of an anthropology faculty member, to write an honors thesis, and ultimately to graduate with departmental honors.

Students interested in the honors thesis program should plan to take a section of Anthropology 196, the upper-division Undergraduate Seminar, the semester before they intend to begin the two-semester senior thesis program. The departmental decision on admission to the senior thesis program will include consultation with the faculty instructor for this course.

The senior thesis requires two semesters that may begin in either fall or spring semester when the student has senior status. Normally, it is completed in a fall-spring sequence of semesters.

Registration in the two semester course Anthro H195 with the thesis advisor is required; a final grade for the course is awarded after the completion of Anthro H195B. The first semester is spent in the formulation of the topic, theoretical/literary exploration and research, methodological development, primary data collection/research/analysis, and beginning to write; the second semester is spent writing the thesis, submitting drafts to two readers for critical comments and suggestions in a timely manner, and polishing the final thesis.

Although there is no specific length requirement, a typical undergraduate Honors Thesis contains 50-100

pages of text, along with a bibliography, and often includes illustrations and tables.

Requirements

• Overall UC GPA 3.5 or higher at the time of application and when beginning the thesis.

• Major GPA 3.6 or higher at the time of application and when beginning the thesis.   NOTE: The major GPA is based solely on courses completed at Berkeley. •Anthropology 114 and the Methods requirement must be completed or in progress by the semester of application to the thesis program. If either or both courses are in progress at the time of application, they should be completed before the first semester of the thesis program (before enrolling in Anthro H195A). • A minimum of 8 upper-division units in Anthropology courses taken at UC Berkeley must have been completed at the time of application, with no fewer than 8 additional upper-division units in Anthropology courses in progress, for a total of at least 16 units in Anthropology at UC Berkeley completed before beginning the thesis (before enrolling in Anthro H195A). • No incompletes should be on record at the time of application or when beginning the thesis. All incomplete grades must be resolved before a student can submit an application for the thesis program.

Getting Started

Your first priority is settling on a general topic and a particular faculty advisor. If you are unsure which faculty member in the Anthropology Department might best help you, consult with the undergraduate advisor in 215 Anthropology and Art Practice Building (Formerly Known As Kroeber Hall). Prepare a brief thesis proposal--a statement of the research question and your plan of action including a discussion of the research methods you will employ. Visit your prospective thesis advisor with your proposal in hand and ask if they are able to sponsor you. If the response is "yes," then the subsequent process is largely up to you and your thesis advisor. If the answer is "no" (the faculty member may be on leave the coming year, unable to commit the time that you and your project merit, etc.), meet with additional faculty until you find sponsorship.

In addition to the sponsorship of an Anthropology professor as thesis advisor, the honors program requires you to have a second faculty sponsor, commonly referred to as the second reader. The second reader is only required to read and comment on a near-final version of the thesis, but may choose to play a greater role. In unique circumstances, the second reader may be a professor from another department, if approved by the Anthropology thesis advisor. Discuss with your thesis advisor who would make a good reader for your project, and arrange to meet with a prospective reader(s). If they agree to work with you as your Thesis Advisor, you are ready to complete the thesis process. Ask your main Faculty Advisor to email the Anthropology Undergrad Advisor, (me :), to request your enrollment into the Prof's H195A, during the enrollment phase. Although it is helpful to secure both thesis readers at the start of the process, the second reader is sometimes identified within the first or beginning of the second semester of the Thesis program. But remember to always consult with your Main Faculty Advisor on the who to approach for the Second Reader position.

NOTE: It is recommended that the student find out early that both readers agree on the same research methodology and range of required readings, that the project is not too large to be completed in two semesters, and that both readers be available (not on sabbatical or leave) for both semesters.

Once you obtain sponsorship from an Anthropology faculty member and second reader, have your main Advisor email the Undergrad Advisor to request enrollment. And please remember to request enrollment from the undergraduate advisor at the start of the second semester for enrollment into H195B, the second semester of the Thesis program. The honor coursework, (H195A & H195B) may count as 2 of the 5 Anthropology elective requirements for the major.

NOTE: Anthropology H195A and H195B are independent study courses; there is no instruction or class time involved. All the work for the thesis and these 2 courses is done independently.

Application Timeline

• Best timing is February of Junior Year (Fall/Spring thesis); September of Junior/Senior Year (Spring/Fall thesis): Prepare a brief thesis proposal and meet with the prospective thesis advisor(s). Get the consent of a faculty member of the Anthropology Department to serve as your sponsor.  Discuss the project, appropriate methodology and research methods, and preparation of sample bibliography with the faculty sponsor.

• A request from your Faculty Advisor to the Undergraduate Advisor initiates the enrollment process to begin the Thesis.

Applying for the Senior Honors Program

Students apply in the semester before they want to begin the senior honors program by taking the following steps:

(1) complete prerequisites:

• complete at least 8 units of Anthropology courses and be enrolled in at least 8 more units successfully
• complete a section of Anth 196
• complete Anth 114 and the Methods requirement or be enrolled in them when applying

(2) assemble a thesis committee:

• identify a faculty advisor who agrees to supervise Anth H195A and H195B
• present a thesis proposal, in writing, to the proposed faculty advisor for approval
• identify a second faculty reader, in consultation with the faculty advisor

            The second reader may be a professor from another department, if approved by the Anthropology             thesis advisor.

The faculty advisor confirms the proposal is acceptable by sending email to the Undergraduate Major Advisor approving enrollment in Anth H195A for the following semester. This step is required.

The Undergraduate Major Advisor confirms that course requirements have been met, and if they have, enrolls the student in the first semester of the two semester course Anthro H195. The student must request enrollment in H195B by the Undergraduate Major Advisor at the start of the second semester of the program.

Level of Honors and grade for the honors course sequence

Anth H195A is the first half of a single, two semester course. It is graded IP (in progress). A final grade for the two semesters, which count as 2 of the elective courses for the major, is assigned at the end of Anth H195B.

Level of honors is assessed separately from the grade for the two semester honors course sequence. Level of honors is based on the review of the final written thesis by the two readers. The Honors categories are Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors.

If the thesis is not of the quality required for honors, a student may receive course credit with a letter grade only.

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of Anthropology

• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Student Financial Aid
• Visit Illinois
• Academic Advising
• Librarian for Anthropology
• Undergraduate Studies Programs
• Graduate Studies Programs
• Course Listings
• Archaeology
• Biological Anthropology
• Sociocultural & Linguistic Anthropology
• Faculty Collaborations
• Faculty Labs
• Administration & Staff
• Affiliate Faculty
• Research Associates
• Graduate Students
• Undergraduate Student Spotlights!
• Undergraduate Student Resources
• Graduate Student Resources
• Faculty & Staff Resources
• Campus & Community Resources
• Department & Campus Awards
• External Awards for Faculty & Graduate Students
• Department News
• Employment Opportunities
• Annual Newsletters
• Graduate Alumni
• Stay Connected
• Give to Anthropology

Honors Program & Senior Capstone

Honors program.

An honors thesis presents the results of two consecutive semesters of original research undertaken in the student’s senior year, under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The quality of the thesis is assessed by how the work offers a thoughtful argument, is well formatted, clearly written, well organized, and engages with relevant anthropological literature. Each student is then certified for graduation with “Distinction,” “High Distinction,” or “Highest Distinction.”

Anthropology majors have the opportunity to graduate with honors distinction. Eligible students should apply by the end of their junior year.

Honors Program Eligibility

In order to achieve distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction, an anthropology major must meet the following requirements:

• Attain an Anthropology GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Attain a UIUC GPA of 3.5 or higher

Honors Thesis Program Form Requirements and Guidelines

• Honors Thesis Application
• Instructions and Deadlines for Honors Thesis 
• Levels of Distinctions and Submission Deadlines
• Senior thesis submission guide
• Certification form to be endorsed by cooperating faculty member and department head

Honors Program Courses

• 3 Credit Hours of ANTH 494 Honors Senior Thesis I 
• 3 Credit Hours of ANTH 495 Honors Senior Thesis II 

LAS College Honors

• Campus Honors Program
• LAS Honors Program
• College Distinctions

Dr. Petra Jelinek, Director of Undergraduate Studies  Department of Anthropology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign 109 Davenport Hall (MC‐148) 607 Mathews Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 Phone: (217)-265-0969 Email:  [email protected]

Dr. Maritza Quiñones, Undergraduate Academic Advisor Department of Anthropology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign 109F Davenport Hall (MC‐148) 607 Mathews Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 Phone:  (217) 265-8042 Email:  [email protected]

Senior Capstone Project

All Anthropology Majors complete their degree with an Independent Research Project called a Senior Capstone Project (3 Credit Hours). Choose one option below (Honors Thesis (6 hrs), Senior Capstone Seminar, Internship, Study Abroad, Field School, or Laboratory research experience (3 hrs) in consultation with the departmental advisor. Options may differ slightly within each concentration.

• ANTH 498 Senior Capstone Project (3 Credit Hours)

To fulfill the Senior Capstone Project requirement, students must choose one of the options below (Honors Thesis, Senior Capstone Seminar, Internship, Study Abroad, Field School, or Research) in consultation with the departmental advisor:

Honors Thesis (6 Credit Hours)

• ANTH 494 Honor Senior Thesis I  (Fall Semester)
• ANTH 495 Honor Senior Thesis II  (Spring Semester)

Internship (3 Credit Hours)

This is a portfolio and report associated with an approved departmental internship

• ANTH 390 Individual Study

Research and/or Field School (3 - 6 Credit Hours)

This is data analysis and a research report associated with one of the following:

• ANTH 444  Methods in Bioanthropology
• ANTH 445  Research in Bioanthropology
• ANTH 454  Archaeological Field School
• ANTH 455  Lab Analysis in Archaeology

LAS students may submit their thesis and thesis certification form to LAS and the Library for incorporation into the digital repository. Details about submitting and formatting a thesis can be found in the attached  Thesis Submission Guide  along with the  thesis certification form (red bordered form)  that we will continue to use.

Important Information about IDEALS:

IDEALS is the Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship. There are two options for online access to your undergraduate thesis in IDEALS, the Library's online repository:

• U of Illinois access with a NetID and password  (Only current affiliates of the university will be able to read your thesis document.)
• Embargo permanently  (Only the metadata about your undergraduate thesis will be visible e.g., your name, thesis title, etc. and your final document will not be available for download by anyone.)

Please consult with your faculty advisor before making a final decision. Please be sure that you and your faculty advisor also review the  IDEALS license agreement . Regardless of the option you choose, your metadata will be indexed by online search engines including Google and Google Scholar. If you want to share your thesis with someone from outside the institution, you will need to send the document.

You own the copyright to your undergraduate thesis, which means you can change the status of your thesis in the database at any time by contacting  [email protected] .  

• Search This Site All UCSD Sites Faculty/Staff Search Term
• Instructional Support
• Employment Opportunities
• Administration
• Adjunct Professors & Lecturers
• Graduate Students
• Visiting Professor & Researchers/Scholars
• Program Learning Outcomes
• Major and Minor Requirements & Global Concentration
• Prospective & Transfer Students
• Academic Advising

Academic Opportunities

• Anthropology Club
• Program Requirements
• Associated Programs
• Current Students
• Biological Anthropology Labs
• Anthropological Archaeology Labs
• Linguistic Anthropology Labs
• Psychological Anthropology Labs
• Climate Change Interest Group
• Undergraduate Program
• Honors Thesis Program

The honors thesis is prepared during two successive quarters (Fall ANTH 196A and Winter ANTH 196B) of a major’s senior year, and can count as two of the five four-unit upper-division elective courses required for a major. Honors students are invited to be anthropology student ambassadors and enroll in ANTH 196C during Spring quarter.

During the first quarter of the program (Fall quarter), students select their research topic and write a preliminary paper. Those who receive a B+ or better are invited to continue in the program and complete a thesis on the chosen topic by the end of the Winter quarter. The thesis will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the thesis adviser and the Director of Undergraduate Studies appointed by the Chair. The reading committee advises the faculty on the merit of the thesis for department honors. A thesis is required in order to be considered for department honors at commencement.

To view Anthropology Award recipients, please see here . 

ANTH 196A. Honors Studies in Anthropology (4)    (Fall quarter of Senior Year)

Students will be admitted to the honors program by invitation of the department in the spring of their junior year. In this seminar they explore their research topic and write a preliminary paper. Completion of this course with a grade of at least B+ is a prerequisite to enroll in ANTH 196B.  Prerequisites:  department approval required.

ANTH 196B. Honors Studies in Anthropology (4)  (Winter quarter of Senior Year)

Preparation of a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. Students begin two-quarter sequence in fall quarter.  Prerequisites:  completion of ANTH 196A with grade of B+ or better.

Students can enroll in a  recommended  (not required) third quarter of the Honors Thesis program (ANTH 196C) to become Ambassadors of Anthropology (participate in community outreach presentations to promote Anthropology), and to prepare a presentation of their thesis findings at the annual Anthropology Honors Thesis Presentations and Awards event.

ANTH 196C. Honors Studies in Anthropology (4)  (Spring quarter)

A weekly research seminar where students share, read, and discuss in-depth research findings resulting from ANTH 196A and 196B along with selected background literature used in each individual thesis. Students are also taught how to turn their theses into brief presentations for both specialized and broader audiences. Students will be offered opportunities to present their findings at campus events and outreach events during the quarter.  Prerequisites :   ANTH 196A-B.

Additionally students are highly encouraged to enroll in the senior seminar ANTH 192 Anthropological Research (1 unit) in the Spring quarter of their junior year to further explore the honors program and opportunities in the department.

ANTH 192. Senior Seminar in Anthropology (1)   (Spring quarter, Junior Year)

The seminar is recommended, but not required, if interested to prepare and find out more about the Honors Program before accepting the invitation. This one unit senior seminar aims to introduce and attract outstanding anthropology students to the honors program. Students will examine honors theses in Anthropology written by their peers over the last few years, learn how to use library resources, familiarize with faculty interests and explore topics to research themselves in the honors program in the senior year.  Prerequisites : upper-division standing; department stamp and/or consent of instructor.

Are you eligible?

Eligibility for the program strongly encourages the student to have fulfilled the requirements below by Fall quarter of senior year : 

• Completed eight upper-division courses, including ANTH 101, 102, 103
• Minimum of a 3.7 concentration & overall GPA 

Outstanding junior students, who meet some but not all of the above criteria, may also be considered for invitation to the program, if spaces are available. Let the Anthropology advisor know that you are interested in the program.

How to apply?

• During the fall quarter of your junior year (or before), identify faculty member(s) with related research interests (take a course, set up a meeting, explore research opportunities.)
• Prior to week 3 of Winter quarter of your junior year, contact the Anthropology Advisors to express your interest in the Honor's Thesis Program.  During the Winter quarter, the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Anthropology Advisors will compile a list of interested and qualifying students for consideration.  A preliminary notification will be sent out to student candidates during Winter quarter.
• We highly recommend that students enroll in the one-unit senior seminar course, ANTH 192 during Spring quarter, to explore the program and finalize faculty mentor matches.
• Students are admitted to the Honor's Thesis program by invitation during the Spring quarter of their junior year.
• After receiving clearance, enroll in ANTH 196A for Fall quarter.

Why join the honors program?

The honors thesis program is intense and demanding. However, it benefits students as follows:

• Improves chances of receiving Departmental Honors and Awards
• Enriches Curriculum Vitae for professional pursuits after graduation
• Allows students to work one-on-one with individual faculty members, building current and future mentorships
• Gives opportunity for productive, interdisciplinary exchange with peers in other subfields of Anthropology
• Provides a supportive, well-structured environment in which to conduct research in-depth in a topic of interest
• Develops students’ research skills, applicable at the postgraduate and professional level
• Enhances excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences
• Offers an opportunity to bond with other high-achieving anthropologists through teamwork
• Helps decide whether research is of interest for paths after graduation
• Creates a solid foundation of knowledge for students pursuing graduate studies

Annual Honors Thesis Presentations and Awards Ceremony

At the end of each academic year (end of May), an event takes place that showcases undergraduate student achievements, including Honors thesis presentations, recognition of academic achievements by our graduating majors, recognition of activities by the AnthroClub, activities by the Ambassadors of Anthropology , awards to outstanding graduating seniors, and a special salute from alumni. 

Past Event Fliers and Presentations  

• Undergraduate Volunteer Opportunities
• Ambassadors of Anthropology
• Study Abroad and Field Schools
• Special Studies Information
• Special Studies Application Form

• Faculty/Staff Intranet
• Graduate Student Intranet

DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY

• Undergraduate

Senior Theses and Honors

Conducting original research is central to the field of Anthropology. By undertaking original research in Anthropology students develop core skills in critical thinking, research, and written and oral communication. These skills, rooted in the holistic discipline of Anthropology, are widely applicable regardless of your career choice. Original research for the Senior Thesis may be based on library, laboratory, or field research on a topic that the student has chosen in consultation with their faculty adviser. The Senior Thesis is an opportunity for students to explore a topic of their interest in Anthropology.

Majors with an interest in pursuing original research in anthropology during their senior year identify a thesis topic and advisor during their junior year and submit an application to write a senior thesis to the Honors Coordinator by spring of junior year. The thesis requires:

• Completion of 399 in the Fall quarter of senior year
• Completion of 398 in Winter quarter of senior year

398 may be counted toward the 300-level requirements for the major. 399 is in addition to the 300-level requirements for the major

Honors in Anthropology

Students interested in pursuing honors in Anthropology are required to (1) prepare a 1-2 page project proposal and (2) secure a project advisor during their junior year. The proposal and an email from the advisor attesting to their work with the student should be sent to the Honors Coordinator, Prof. Erin Waxenbaum ( [email protected] ), by July 1 of the student’s junior year.

Students who write a thesis and whose theses and grades meet university criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. Eligibility for honors includes:

• Writing an outstanding senior thesis
• 3.3 GPA overall
• 3.5 GPA in Anthropology 

Honors and awards

Students who prepare an outstanding honors thesis will be nominated for honors in anthropology to the Weinberg College Committee on Undergraduate Academic Excellence, which has the final authority to grant the honors degree. All students writing an honors thesis are also eligible for following departmental awards:

• Oswald Werner Prize for Distinguished Honors Thesis in Anthropology

This prize honors Professor Emeritus Oswald Werner’s research, teaching, fieldwork training and administrative contributions. He was a faculty member for 35 years, a department chair, founder, and director of the Northwestern University Ethnographic Field School, and an ardent supporter of undergraduate research.

• Friends of Anthropology Award for Distinguished Honors Thesis in Public Anthropology

This prize recognizes outstanding research that  matters to the communities in which the researcher works, addressing important  social issues and helping to foster change. The award was established in 2005 with funding from the "Friends of Anthropology at Northwestern" (FAN) Alumni Group.

• Elizabeth M. Brumfiel Award for Distinguished Honors Thesis in Archaeology

See a list of award-winners who have won scholarships and other prizes.

The Honors Coordinator for Anthropology is: Prof. Erin Waxenbaum 

College of Arts & Sciences

Awards and Senior Honors Thesis

Senior honors thesis.

The Senior Honors Thesis provides an opportunity for senior anthropology majors to engage in and/or continue in-depth research on a topic of particular interest and to produce a substantial piece of written work that, upon completion, will be noted on the transcript and diploma at graduation. The final thesis should be 35-40 pages long. Students must have a 3.7 GPA in their major courses and must apply to a faculty committee for approval during their Junior year.  Please note that a senior thesis is optional and not required for the completion of the degree.

Juniors should reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for further advising regarding the process and timing of the application, as well as help in identifying an appropriate faculty mentor. After speaking to the DUS, students should reach out to and have a planning meeting with their faculty mentor who will direct their thesis. The faculty mentor must be consulted during the development of the application and will sign off on it prior to the submission to the Department’s Thesis committee. The 2024 deadline to submit is Friday, April 26th at 5:00.

Stapleton Award

The Department of Anthropology honors the memory of the late student, Scott MacPherson, through the Stapleton Award. The award is designed to support the research and intellectual motivations of talented and committed undergraduate students like him, and it seeks to provide anthropology majors and minors the opportunity to pursue their passions relating to anthropology outside the classroom. The award provides $2,500 per term, up to $5,000 for an entire academic year, and will give the awarded student the resources to focus on independent research, an unpaid internship, or a professional experience related to the social and cultural concerns of Anthropology. More information about Scott, the award, and past projects can be found here. To apply, please submit a statement of interest and a 1-2 page proposal to Amanda Armstrong ([email protected]) by Friday, April 15th at 5:00 PM .

Anthropology Research Award

The Anthropology Research Award recognizes excellence in anthropological research for senior Anthropology majors and minors. It will be presented at the Tropaia Exercises during graduation weekend. Graduating seniors are invited to submit a paper of original anthropological research, along with their transcript. The paper can be one that they have written for a class, or on their own. To apply, please submit your paper and transcript to Amanda Armstrong ( [email protected] ) by Friday, April 15th at 5:00 PM.

• Honors Program

Access the ANT Honors Program Guideline document here. 

Apply to the Honors Program for 2023-24 Academic Year

 To apply for the 2023-24 program, students must complete a brief 250-300 word proposal and send to their faculty mentor first for review. 

Once a faculty mentor has reviewed a student's proposal and approved it, please go to the link below to access the application and email to Kelli Sholer ([email protected]) with your faculty mentor’s signature by  October 2, 2023 . Exceptions can be made to extend this deadline with the approval of your faculty mentor. 

 Please go to this link to access the application! 

Honors thesis

What participating students gain, finding a faculty mentor, eligibility requirements.

• complete 135 units by the end of Summer 2023
• hold a 3.50 major GPA in anthropology at the beginning of Fall 2023
• enroll in and complete at least six units of ANT 194H, taken over a minimum of two quarters, under the direct mentorship of a faculty member

Levels of honors awarded

Examples of honors thesis topics.

• “Wood vs. Stone Mortar Technologies: An Experimental Approach to Food Grinding Efficiency.” Christina M. Murray (Jelmer Eerkens, faculty mentor).
• “Cultural Competence, Translation, and Subjectivity in Clinical Practice.” Mar-y-sol Pasquiers (Cristiana Giordano, faculty mentor).
• “Quantitative Approaches for Identifying Archaeological Site Occupation Types: A Case Study From Late Holocene, Mendocino County, CA.” Samuel J. Williams (Teresa Steele, faculty mentor).
• “Origins of Coiled Basketry in California.” Gregory Wada (Robert Bettinger, faculty mentor).
• "Faunal Analysis of a Northwest Alaska Inupiat House.” Katheryn A. Hill (Christyann Darwent, faculty mentor).
• “Sex and Birth Order Predict Infant Growth and Survival: Consequences of Differential Maternal Investment in Macacca mulatta.” Chase Nuñez (Katie Hinde and Lynne Isbell, faculty mentors).
• “Bitch: An Anthropological Study of Femininity and Power.” Nicole A. Sears (Janet Shibamoto-Smith, faculty mentor).

Want more information about majoring in Anthropology?   Visit our advising office.

• What is Anthropology?
• Career Paths for Anthropology Majors
• Majors and Minor
• ANT, ME/SA, SOC Advising Office
• Anthropology Advising LinkTree
• Undergraduate Research
• Global Learning
• Professional Associations
• Internships
• ANT Variable Unit Form (ANT 99, 198, or 199)
• ANT 192 Internship Form
• Study Abroad Courses
• HonorsApplication2021.pdf
• ANT Honors Program Guidelines
• Archaeology Field School
• Anthropology Club

330 Young Hall One Shields Ave, University of California Davis, CA 95616

Ph. 530-752-0745 Fax 530-752-8885 map  

© 2000-2024 by the Regents of the University of California, Davis Campus. All Rights Reserved.

• Future Students
• Parents/Families
• Alumni/Friends
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff
• MyOHIO Student Center
• Visit Athens Campus
• Regional Campuses
• OHIO Online
• Faculty/Staff Directory

Sociology and Anthropology

College of Arts and Sciences

• Awards & Accomplishments
• Communications
• Mission and Vision
• News and Events
• Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
• A&S Support Team
• Faculty Affairs
• Human Resources
• Promotion & Tenure
• Centers & Institutes
• Faculty Labs
• Undergraduate Research
• Environmental Majors
• Pre-Law Majors
• Pre-Med, Pre-Health Majors
• Find an Internship. Get a Job.
• Honors Programs & Pathways
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities
• Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs
• Online Degrees & Certificates
• Ph.D. Programs
• Master's Degrees
• Certificates
• Graduate Forms
• Thesis & Dissertation
• Departments
• Alumni Awards
• Giving Opportunities
• Dean's Office
• Department Chairs & Contacts
• Faculty Directory
• Staff Directory
• Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs Directory

Helpful Links

Navigate OHIO

Connect With Us

Tips for Writing a Departmental Honors Thesis in Anthropology

Preparing to write a thesis, detailed thesis guidance and suggestions, tips for writing a thesis.

What habits and actions will enable success?

 An undergraduate thesis project requires discipline in planning and execution from start to finish. Some key considerations include the following.

Once you decide to complete a thesis project after preliminary discussion with your adviser, take some time to think about what you would like your finished project to look like. Read through several recently completed undergraduate thesis projects in the department, and form some general ideas about your topic, approach, and final product. Think about what might cause you to be delayed, or even unsuccessful, or how you will counter those possibilities.

Organization

Workplace, work space, calendar, materials, ideas, records, meetings, files – if you find that the level of organization in any these aspects is lacking, make the changes needed to enable your success. 

Develop a written timeline for completion. Your adviser can help you identify the key steps and milestones and the amount of time you should allocate for each. Then work backward from the thesis submission deadlines to develop your timeline.

Designing and completing the thesis project will be challenging in the midst of your other academic and student activities. However, if you don’t give the project the time and effort it requires, you will miss your deadlines and/or be disappointed in the quality of the end product. Your thesis is an extra project that will require extra time and effort to complete.

Barriers to Success

As you begin your thesis planning and throughout the project, honestly identify those factors that are preventing you from doing your best work and take the actions needed to reduce or eliminate each of those barriers.

Daily Focus and Energy

Momentum is a critical element of completing a high quality thesis project. If you do not make a daily investment, even if for only 30 minutes, to address the next actions in your thesis project, you run the risk of trying to recapture thoughts and conversations and missing key milestones along the way. Reading, thinking, discussing, planning, and writing should become routine actions for generating and maintaining momentum in your thesis project. If you find that days or even weeks have passed without much thought or action on your thesis project, identify what’s preventing you from giving your thesis the time and effort it needs and address accordingly.

Your completed thesis document should reflect your personal best in formal writing and analysis. This includes sentence composition, grammar, punctuation, style (your adviser may suggest a specific style manual), flow of ideas, accuracy, literature citations, level of thought and analysis, and overall organization. Develop an outline for each chapter in consultation with your adviser before writing the full text. Edit your work carefully after multiple readings, and ask another capable person to give you honest feedback on your draft before submitting it to your adviser.

What Is a Thesis?

A thesis is a manuscript that presents an argument or assertion and supports it through logical claims and factual evidence, or data. The thesis must be analytic rather than descriptive. While the focus of your thesis will be the discussion of some set of anthropological phenomena, it should not simply present information, however important and interesting that information may be. Rather, and in addition, the thesis should represent an analysis of the phenomena, a theoretical and interpretive understanding of them; in other words, it should have an “argument.” This may mean simply stating a good, strong causal thesis and collecting data and logical arguments to support it (remember to include significant contrary facts and theories). Avoid a paper that is only, or even mostly, descriptive. A rule of thumb is that roughly one-third of the paper should be analysis, and two-thirds should be description and presentation of evidence.

Theoretical Framework

Given these expectations, your thesis should have some theoretical component. Regardless of your topic or subfield, you are expected to develop a theoretical framework of some kind. There are several ways to do this. 

• You may wish to use theoretical propositions to frame the argument, to elaborate and sustain the analysis, and to "explain" the phenomena.
• You may wish to criticize existing theoretical propositions using your data and interpretations.
• You may wish to bring together various theories to formulate a more original model.

Your data constitutes the evidence that you will use to support your argument. The data you analyze may come from various sources. You may undertake your own research, perhaps through a stint in the field or the laboratory. Alternately, you may reanalyze data that have already been collected and published. In either case, you will probably want to supplement your data with background library and historical research. Regardless of the kind of work you do, your goal should be to provide the reader with an understanding of the problem and data. What makes your essay a thesis is that you go beyond narrative and description to include analysis and argument. What makes it anthropology is the centrality of problems and phenomena related to the concerns – archaeological, biological, or cultural – of our discipline.

The analytical nature of the senior thesis has several implications for its organization. First, of course, the whole thing has to have a point and there should be no doubt to the reader what that point is. Perhaps the best piece of advice here is to make explicit to the reader what is obvious and implicit to you, the writer, steeped as you are in your own material. This does not mean that your research must follow the “logico-deductive” pattern; in fact, anthropological research often does not present argumentation in any particular straightforward manner. However, when writing the thesis, you should try to arrange the material so that the reader will understand the direction of the whole. This requires some “big-picture” planning and organization.

Your thesis should have a beginning, a middle, and an end – in other words, an introduction, a "body," and a conclusion. The introduction should state the problem and the manner in which you are going to discuss and analyze it. The body of the thesis should present evidence in support of your argument in some explicit, logical order, so that the reader will understand the relevance or purpose of each section. Finally, the conclusion should summarize the points you have made, recapitulate the argument and its strengths and weaknesses, and perhaps address again the theoretical issues that were used in approaching and analyzing the problem; you should also explain how you have modified your view of these issues in the course of conducting the analysis.

Senior theses may range from 35 to 100 pages in length. Laboratory theses or those with heavily quantitative analyses may be 40 to 60 pages, while those with discursive arguments tend to be longer. Cultural Anthropology theses will ordinarily be between 60 to 80 pages. You should be wary of exceeding these limits in either direction. Long, verbose theses in particular are often poorly written, edited, and argued.

You should address yourself to a well-informed reader. Avoid repetition, unnecessary detail, and irrelevance in both data and analysis. Use your own style — and use this opportunity to develop your own authorial voice — but, in any case, write clearly. In the process of composing and preparing the manuscript, do not neglect the details of good expository writing. The pleasure and the understanding of the reader (and perhaps your grade) can be undercut by inattentiveness to style, form, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and citations.

Specific Points

All students completing a senior thesis should prepare a thesis proposal that addresses the following points: introduction/summary; background information; theoretical perspective and/or hypothesis to be tested; methods for collecting and analyzing data; and significance of project. This proposal should be completed prior to the beginning of the project — typically in the fall of the senior year. 

Credit Hours 

All senior thesis students must enroll in ANTH 495H for two of the three terms of their senior year. Students enrolled in this course will receive a grade of CR rather than a letter grade. These credits do not count toward the 55 hours required for the B.A. in anthropology.

IRB Approval

All projects require the approval of the Ohio University Institutional Review Board . Please plan to submit the required paperwork to the IRB two weeks prior to the commencement of data collection.

There are various sources of funding to support undergraduate research at Ohio University. These funds are often competitive. A strong thesis proposal can be transformed into a strong application for funds. These deadlines typically arise in the spring and fall quarters; be sure to maintain contact with your adviser about them.

Thesis committees involve a minimum of two and a maximum of three experts in the field. These committee members may be faculty members in anthropology or other related departments, practicing anthropologists, or other professional in related fields (for example, museum studies). At least one of the committee members (other than the adviser) must be a member of the anthropology program. Students typically approach potential committee members, after consulting with their advisers, in the fall semester .  It may be useful to provide a copy of the thesis proposal at this time in order to provide some background on the project at hand. In the spring semester, the student will schedule a full meeting of the committee to defend the conclusions of the thesis. The full thesis committee must reach a consensus on the successful defense of the thesis.

Note: The Anthropology program and the College of Arts & Sciences have specific guidelines for binding, formatting, title pages, references, notes, and tables. Please be sure to follow these guidelines closely.

Backup your computer files on a daily basis.

How should I work with my adviser in planning, conducting, and writing my thesis?  The thesis project is a joint effort between you and your adviser, but in reality, it is YOUR project. Take the initiative to schedule meetings, plan discussion topics and questions for the meetings, and make notes about what was decided at each meeting and your next actions. Schedule regular (weekly) meetings with your adviser as you plan, conduct, and write your thesis. Give your adviser ample time to read drafts of your work before you meet. Seek your adviser’s help in resolving any roadblocks along the way.

How do I obtain IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval?  Ohio University must ensure that research conducted under its jurisdiction does not present unreasonable risks to subjects or volunteers. Faculty, staff, and students conducting the research are primarily responsible for safeguarding the welfare of study participants. IRB approval of the proposed research procedures must be obtained before data collection begins. See Ohio University Research Compliance  for additional information and the IRB submission form .

What constitutes plagiarism?  A major ethical standard in research focuses on appropriately recognizing and crediting the work of others who have contributed to the body of knowledge in a given area. Plagiarism is simply using someone else’s ideas or wording without giving due credit. When you present an idea in your thesis project that originated from another source (written or spoken), even if you modified the wording or parts of the idea, credit to the original source should be given. The thesis is a scholarly work, and as such, extensive citation from the literature is expected. As you make notes from a source, indicate clearly whether your notes are a direct quote or a paraphrased interpretation. If direct quotes are used, the page number is required for a complete citation. Plagiarism software is widely available and routinely used by professors and journal editors.

What are the elements of my thesis research proposal and completed project? Undergraduate thesis projects mirror master’s thesis projects but the scope of the study and final product are usually scaled down considerably. The anthropology discipline typically uses a five-chapter approach for theses as shown on the following page. Check with your adviser for additional points. Typical page lengths (double spaced) are shown in parentheses.

• Table of Contents
• Purpose: “The purpose of this study…” (one sentence).
• Methods: Usually one to two sentences on how this study was conducted and who the sample or population was.
• Results: Usually two to three brief sentences on the major findings from the study.
• Conclusion: One to two sentences on the major implications or ramifications from the study.
• Provides the background and setting needed to put the problem in proper context and justifies the need for the study.
• Contains facts, trends, and points of view (opinions) as drawn from the professional literature in anthropology and any relevant areas. The presentation of these key points should flow from general trends and concerns to the specific problem/challenge that you will address in your thesis research.
• Provides a logical lead-in to a clear statement of the problem, which is followed by the purpose of the study and the research objectives that you will pursue.
• Chapter 1 also includes a list of any assumptions and limitations, as well as a section (Significance of the Study) that explains what groups could potentially benefit from the study and how/why.
• Presents the results of previous research related to your study topic, organized by the key variables in your study. A conceptual model showing the relationships among variables related to your research problem can also be included.
• For survey research or other quantitative study, Chapter 2 indicates the theory upon which the study is based. Qualitative studies usually build theory rather than apply or test theory. Thus, in these studies less attention is given to theory in Chapter 2. Provides the rationale for hypotheses (if stated).
• Describes in detail the step-by-step procedures used in collecting and analyzing data.
• Possible sections of Chapter 3 include research design, subject selection, instrumentation, data collection, data analysis, chapter summary and others. Talk with your adviser about adjustments in this chapter if you are undertaking a qualitative study.
• Reports all results obtained, including appropriate statistics and descriptions of data.
• Includes facts only – what was found with explanation, but not interpretation or conjecture by the researcher. Is organized and written around objectives of the study (research questions or hypotheses).
• Briefly summarizes intent, procedures, and findings of study.
• States conclusions based upon findings (first point in paper where the researcher is allowed to include his or her own interpretations).
• Describes how findings support or refute related studies (Implications for Current Knowledge).
• Describes implications of findings for those groups affected by the program/findings (Implications for Practice).
• Includes recommendations for practice based upon findings and conclusions, if applicable.
• Includes recommendations for further research.
• Includes copies of all correspondence, instrumentation, and other written communication used in carrying out the research.
• Includes special lists (i.e., expert panel members, etc.).
• Includes complete bibliographic information for all references cited in the text (use accepted style manual, such as APA, American Antiquity, or other professional guidelines decided with your adviser).

Note : Chapters 1-3 above constitute the thesis research proposal. In writing the proposal, verb tense is future tense (e.g., “will be”). Note that specific rules apply to verb tense. With few exceptions, past events and past research/writings should be described using past tense verbs. Past trends that still continue should be described using present perfect tense (e.g., has been). Present tense is used only to describe the contents of a table or other section in the thesis itself and when stating conclusions. The use of “it” and “there” to begin sentences should be avoided, unless “it” clearly refers to a preceding noun.

Other Considerations

Your thesis research should address a known, real problem in anthropology. Your project will be designed and conducted in an attempt to help resolve the identified problem. Thus, your research problem can be drawn from your personal experiences and observations, from others’ observations and opinions, or from previous research. The problem you choose to research should be related to a significant or major problem, as generally viewed by experts in the profession.  A key question to ask as you and your adviser discuss potential thesis projects is, “Who needs and could benefit from this research?” The second fundamental question to ask when identifying your research topic and interpreting the results is, “So what?” That is, of what value will/is the research, to whom, and why? Your study should attempt to inform or solve a problem in the field. Try to go beyond merely describing a situation or population and design your study so it has the potential to provide solutions.

Keeping these aspects in mind throughout your research and in developing your conclusion will make your thesis better.

Here are additional guidelines, similar to the above, but include more insight about certain parts of the thesis and common mistakes. 

• The introduction should establish a chain of reasoning/logic and smoothly flow from one key point to the next.
• Chapter 1 summarizes the “opinion literature” on your topic.
• Use the most recent references available, and use original sources unless they are out of print.
• Use past tense or present perfect tense in your writing. Only use future tense for the proposal to describe what you will do.
• Common grammatical errors include using “data” as a singular noun (should be “data are”) and beginning a sentence with “it” and “there.”
• Your list of definitions should include all terms not commonly understood. These words should be “operationally defined” for your study. For example, provide a definition and citation on motivation, followed by a statement that says, “In this study motivation was defined as the subject’s score on the Britton Motivation Questionnaire.”
• Build your reference list as you go. Cite sources using APA style, and check the elements of each citation to prevent a return trip to the library to get the missing elements.
• Limitations are any restrictions in the study – population, sample, time, geography, and so on.

A theory is a generalization or series of generalizations by which we attempt to explain some phenomenon in a systematic manner. Our field includes many theories about learning, leading, communicating. Theory is derived from research, observations, and logical analysis and is commonly presented in books and published research. Chapter 2 includes the underlying theory base for your study, research findings from past studies that are related to your topic, and a conceptual model in the form of a diagram or concept map that combines the theory and previous research (see the example on page 7), showing the relationship between variables that may influence the phenomenon you are studying. With few exceptions, previous research findings are reported in journals (e.g., Journal of Agricultural Education, Journal of Extension, Journal of Leadership Education, Journal of Applied Communications, etc.) and technical reports. Your outline for Chapter 2 should be derived from the major variables in your study. Focus on recently published research (last 10 years), while including any works that are considered classics in the field. When you find an article that seems related to your study, read the abstract to verify, then focus on the population studied, the results, and conclusions.

Chapter 3 is the research methods chapter and is based largely on the decisions you and your adviser make about how to conduct your study. Elements of Chapter 3 typically include one or more introductory paragraphs, research design (specify the design and explain its limitations), population and sample, instrumentation (the tools that you will use to collect data), data collection procedures, data analysis procedures, and a chapter summary. Talk to your adviser about modification of this outline if you are conducting a qualitative study.

Chapter 4 is where you present the findings of your research. These should be clear and carefully linked to the hypotheses that you proposed to address in your research. You should not try to link your findings to broader topics and issues in the field – this will come in Chapter 5.

Chapter 5 is the discussion and conclusion chapter. Here you should link your findings to broader topics in the field of anthropology. You should directly say how your results fill a certain research gap or address a problem in the field. Your conclusion should concisely summarize your work with a brief statement of its importance. You may provide suggestions for future directions in research, but this section should be brief (e.g., 2-3 sentences).

Final Thoughts

Completing a high quality undergraduate thesis project requires initiative, careful planning, frequent communication with your adviser, disciplined inquiry, and sound judgment and decision making. After you have completed your study, your adviser may encourage you to submit a proposal to present your research at a regional or national conference and/or to submit a manuscript to a journal for review and possible publication. Your adviser will also assist you in developing an executive summary of your research that can be shared with practitioners in the field. This is the best way to ensure that your thesis project has value by providing insight and potential solutions to a significant problem faced by one or more stakeholder groups.

 (Adapted from Department. of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida)

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

The College of Arts & Sciences

• Department of Anthropology
• Student Portal

• Undergraduate
• Honors Program

Our Anthropology Honors Program

Developing your own in-depth research project and writing an honors thesis can be an excellent way to prepare for graduate training in anthropology and many other post-graduation career paths for which strong research and writing skills are needed.

If you think you might be interested in our Honors program, the first step is to schedule an appointment with our Director of Undergraduate Studies , during your junior year. They will go over the requirements of the program and help you to formulate a plan. And it is never too soon to reach out to potential faculty mentors and find out if they are interested and available to work with you on your project.

Learn more about Honors in our Student Portal

• Faculty + Staff Intranet

Department of Anthropology social media channels

• College of Arts & Sciences

• Anthropology B.A.
• Anthropology + Linguistics B.A.
• Certificates
• Field Schools
• Career Preparation
• Concentration, Archaeology + Social Context
• Concentration, Food Studies
• Concentration, Paleoanthropology
• Concentration, Medical Anthropology
• Ph.D. Procedures
• Food Studies Course Descriptions
• Minor, Anthropology
• Minor, Anthropology of Food
• External Funding
• Getting Started at IU
• Departmental Forms
• IU + College Forms

• Departments and Units
• Majors and Minors
• LSA Course Guide
• LSA Gateway

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

• News and Events
• Undergraduates
• Alumni & Friends

• Anthropology Major
• Academic Policies & Procedures
• Transfer Credit
• Accelerated MA Program in Transcultural Studies
• Human Origins, Biology, and Behavior Major
• Honors Program
• Get Involved
• What can I do with an Anthropology degree?
• Prospective Students
• Recent Graduates and Placement
• Current Student Resources
• Alumni Update
• What Does Anthropology Mean to You?
• Past Virtual Events
• Honors Student Profiles
• Honors Research Poster Symposium
• Recent Honors Theses

Students interested in conducting independent scholarly research in one of the subfields of anthropology and who qualify (have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher) are encouraged to consider writing an honors thesis in anthropology. Previous participation in the College Honors program is not a prerequisite for doing an honors major in anthropology. Seniors admitted to the honors major conduct research during their senior year under the supervision of two faculty members: the honors advisor in the subfield and a thesis advisor who works with the student on his/her individual research project.

Honors intent form and course sequence

During the junior year, students interested in honors should meet with the undergraduate advisor and the honors advisor in a particular subfield to discuss their plans for an honors research project. Interested students will submit an intent form briefly discussing their thesis research interests. The intent form for honors in anthropology is due in March.Note: requests will be considered after this deadline, but you must meet with an advisor as soon as possible.During the senior year, students will enroll in an honors seminar or independent study, depending on your sub-field. Honors seminar courses are focused on helping students design, conduct, and complete their honors thesis research. At the end of the senior year, students will participate in a poster session on their thesis research.

Christine Rysenga poses with her honors research poster and Laura MacLatchy, Professor of Anthropology.

What is an honors thesis in anthropology?

An honors thesis includes original research and is greater in scope than a course term paper. Students are encouraged to explore topics that build on their individual interests. Honors students in anthropological archaeology often conduct research on collections in the Museum of Anthropology . Sociocultural and linguistic anthropology honors students should plan on doing some participant observation or other field research. Biological anthropology honors students often conduct research on primates or skeletal remains.

For more information about honors in anthropology, contact:

• Sociocultural or linguistic anthropology:   Kriszti Fehervary , [email protected]
• Anthropological Archaeology:   Mike Galaty , [email protected]
• Biological Anthropology:   John Kingston , [email protected]

Prerequisites for an honors major in particular subfields of anthropology:

We recommend that students interested in completing an honors major in sociocultural anthropology take a sociocultural theory/method course.

• Click here to view the Undergraduate Courses by Subfield PDF

Students interested in anthropological archaeology should have taken Anthrarc 282 and/or have had archaeological field and laboratory experience.

• Information For
• Current Students
• Faculty and Staff
• Alumni and Friends
• More about LSA
• How Do I Apply?
• LSA Opportunity Hub
• LSA Magazine
• Student Resources
• Academic Advising
• Global Studies
• Social Media
• Update Contact Info
• Privacy Statement
• Report Feedback

• Academic Advising
• Student Life
• QC Navigate
• Make a Gift
• Careers and Internships
• Request My Transcript
• Local Highlights
• IT Help Desk
• Shuttle Bus

• Shuttle Bus Schedule
• Email Access
• Current Students
• Past Presidents
• College Profile
• Accreditation
• Student Consumer Information
• Frankly Speaking
• Queens Magazine
• Strategic Plan
• Economic Impact
• Press Releases
• QC & Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Connection
• Office of Compliance and Diversity
• Annual MLK Day Celebration
• NY Deaf Blind Collaborative
• Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities
• FAQs about IE
• IPEDS Reports
• College Rankings and Ratings
• Data Dashboards
• Data for Academic Departments
• Faculty Workload
• Assessment of Student Learning
• Student Surveys
• Academic Program Review
• Queens College Strategic Plan
• QC Foundation
• Venue Rentals
• Tech Incubator
• Small Business Development
• Campus Events
• Parents & Families
• Kupferberg Center
• Graduate Programs
• Online Programs
• Apply Online
• Tuition and Payment
• Graduate Scholarships
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Summer Session
• Winter Session
• Pre-College
• College Credit Program
• Summer Science
• EDGE Program
• Aaron Copland School of Music
• Creative Writing & Literacy Translation
• Drama, Theatre & Dance
• Media Studies
• Classical, Middle Eastern, and Asian Languages and Cultures
• Comparative Literature
• European Languages and Literatures
• Hispanic Languages and Literatures
• Honors in the Humanities
• Linguistics and Communication Disorders
• Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Family, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences
• Health Professions Advisory Services
• Honors in the Math & Natural Sciences
• Mathematics
• Medical Career Prep
• School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Center for the Improvement of Education
• College Preparatory Programs
• Educational and Community Programs
• Elementary and Early Childhood Education
• Secondary Education and Youth Services
• Anthropology
• Accounting and Information Systems
• Business School
• Honors in the Social Sciences
• Labor Studies
• Graduate School of Library and Information Studies
• Political Science
• Pre-Law Advising
• Risk Management
• Urban Studies
• BALA: Business & Liberal Arts
• Business Administration (BBA)
• Small Business Development Center
• Blackstone LaunchPad
• Africana Studies
• Asian American & Asian Research Institute
• Asian American Center
• Byzantine & Modern Greek Studies
• Certificates
• Film Studies
• Jewish Studies
• John D. Calandra Italian American Institute
• Latin American and Latino Studies
• Medical Career Preparation
• Women and Gender Studies
• Graduate Studies
• Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment
• Center for Byzantine & Modern Greek Studies
• Center for Career Engagement and Internships
• Center for Jewish Studies
• The Research Center for Korean Community
• Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religous Understanding
• Speech Language Hearing Center
• Psychological Center
• Student Success Homepage
• Learning Commons  
• Pathways Requirements
• Writing Center
• First Year Experience
• Office of Special Services
• HSI-STEM Project
• Make STEAM Q
• Q-STEM Academy
• HHMI Inclusive Excellence
• Counseling Center
• Guide for Students
• Guide for Faculty
• Experiential Education
• Service Corps
• CSSI Google
• CUNY Career Launch
• Additional Programs
• Faculty & Staff
• Meet the Team
• Grow with Google
• Office of Honors and Scholarships
• Scholarships and Awards
• Freshman Honors
• Macaulay Honors College
• Kessler Presidential Scholars
• Transfer Honors
• Mellon Mays
• Business and Liberal Arts
• Honors in Math and Natural Sciences
• College Now
• Study Abroad 
• Accelerated Masters
• Professional and Continuing Studies
• Senior Citizen Programs
• Academic Support Services
• Big Buddy Program
• CUNY Service Corps
• Extended Learning
• Ibrahim Program
• Kessler Presidential Scholarship Program
• Provost's Office
• Study Abroad
• Global Student Success Program (GSSP)
• International Student and Scholars
• QC Academic Senate Homepage
• Townsend Harris/High Jump
• Queens School of Inquiry
• New Student Services
• Specialty Advising
• Housing Move-In Guide/FAQs
• Accelerate, Complete & Engage (ACE QC)
• The Murphy Institute
• Adult Collegiate Education (ACE)
• Global Student Success Program
• Mellon Mays Fellowship
• Kessler Honors
• Financial Aid Work Study
• Career Engagement
• Student Leadership
• Scholarships
• Kessler Scholars
• Veteran Support Services
• Emergency Grant
• Emergency Fund Resources
• Fitzgerald Gym
• Benjamin Rosenthal Library
• Campus Bookstore
• Housing and Residence Life
• Public Safety
• Clubs and Organizations
• Spring Forward
• Teaching in Vietnam
• Catholic Newman Center
• Campus Store
• Student Ambassadors
• CREAR Futuros
• Tuition & Fees Cost
• The Billing Process
• Payment Options
• Staff Contact
• Scholarship
• Financial Aid
• Career Center
• Child Development Center
• Minority Affairs
• QC Learning Commons
• The Writing Center
• Honors & Scholarships
• Information Technology
• Student Advocacy & Appeals
• Knights Table Food Pantry
• Special Services
• International Students and Scholars
• QC Ride Share
• Submit a Ticket
• Counseling Services
• Health Insurance
• Immunizations
• Communicable Diseases
• Lactation Room
• Recreation & Fitness
• Muslim Student Association
• Title IX Policy/Sexual Misconduct
• Active Shooter Preparedness
• CUNY Policies
• President's Office
• General Counsel
• Frankly Speaking - Newsletter
• Budget & Finance Homepage
• Budget & Planning
• Communications & Marketing
• QC at a Glance
• Queens Magazine (PDF)
• QView Newsletter
• Compliance & Diversity
• External & Governmental Relations
• Facilities Planning & Operations
• Buildings & Grounds
• Campus Planning, Design & Construction
• Environmental Health & Safety
• Student Union Facilities
• Sustainability Initiatives
• Human Resources Home Page
• Training and Development
• Compensation
• Support Home
• Submit A Ticket
• Knowledge Base
• Institutional Advancement
• Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
• Student Affairs
• Dean of Students
• Enrollment Management
• Asian and Asian American Research Intitute
• Research in QC
• Office of Research and Compliance
• Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
• Office of Undergraduate Research
• Queens College Libraries

Major Requirements

Senior honors thesis.

Completion of a senior honors thesis is optional although highly encouraged if students hope to pursue a graduate career in Anthropology or other related disciplines. If you are interested in pursuing a senior thesis, consult a faculty advisor regarding the prerequisites and steps listed below and then submit this form,  Tutorial Registration Form , and submit it to the Anthropology Department Chair and the Department Administrator. You may also use this form to register for independent studies, directed studies, or directed research in Anthropology ( ANTH 295 ,  ANTH 395 , or  ANTH 397 ). Also, please keep the following guidelines and timeline in mind:

I. PRE-REQUISITES

1. Students must apply for the honors thesis sequence during their junior year.

2. Eligible students must have at least a 3.5 GPA in anthropology.

3. Applications consist of a statement of the research project written by the student, and a statement agreeing to supervise the student written by a full-time faculty member in anthropology.

4. Applications are submitted to the chair for approval or disapproval.

5. Approval is contingent on the students’ satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree AND the thesis, and if such progress is not demonstrated, approval can be withdrawn based on the recommendation of a student’s advisor or the Senior Honors Thesis Committee, and approval of the chair.

II. FIRST SEMESTER SENIOR YEAR

1. Students enroll in an independent study (ANTH 395) with their advisors.

2. The advisors and the students agree on goals for the semester.

3. The advisors and the students agree on an appropriate “summative experience” for evaluation at the end of the semester (e.g., research report, annotated bibliography, etc.).

4. Enrollment in ANTH 390 is contingent on successful completion of ANTH 395.

III. SECOND SEMESTER SENIOR YEAR

• Students enroll in Honors Thesis (ANTH 390)
• A completed draft of the thesis, between 20 and 100 pages in length, and including all relevant tables, figures, maps, and references, must be submitted to the student’s advisor and to two readers by the 8th week of the semester.
• The advisor and two readers have two weeks to read and comment on the draft.
• pass with distinction
• conditional pass
• (B or better in ANTH 390 = high honors)
• In the event of a conditional pass or no pass, the person assigning such a grade must state IN WRITING his or her criticisms and suggestions. The student then is expected to make the recommended corrections.
• In the event of a conditional pass, the advisor determines whether the student has met the conditions. The individual who made the conditions may participate in this process if he or she wishes, but is not obligated to do so (i.e., a reader need not read the thing again).
• In the event of a “no pass,” the advisor and whoever did not pass the thesis must read the revised version in order to assign it a new grade. If the thesis is still not satisfactory for at least a conditional pass, the student is denied honors and does not pass the course.
• By the end of the semester, the student must deposit the finished, approved copy of the thesis with signature page at the department office. This copy must be printed on 100% cotton fiber paper, and must follow the guidelines for dissertations and thesis determined by UMI.

IV. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER

• To ensure satisfactory progress toward completion of the thesis.
• To ensure the thesis has a thesis.
• To ensure a consistent, understandable citation style in the thesis.
• To provide regular feedback to the student during the process of writing and researching the thesis.
• To meet all the obligations of a reader.

V. DUTIES OF THE TWO READERS

• To promptly evaluate the quality of the thesis and assign a grade (pass with distinction, pass, conditional pass, no pass).
• To make recommendations for revision, if necessary.
• To ensure a consistent, understandable citation style.
• To read the thesis a second time if assigning a grade of no pass.

Please enable Javascript in your web browser in order to use the features on this website.

Honors in Anthropology

2023 honors students.

Outstanding senior majors in Anthropology may be selected by the department for possible participation in the Emory College Honors Program. As determined by the College Honors Committee, a student must have a GPA of 3.7 to be eligible for the program. The department will review the list of eligible majors in the second semester of their junior year and will contact those students considered to be qualified to complete an honor's project in Anthropology.

Candidates will pursue research under the direction of a faculty committee, write and defend an honors thesis, enroll in the Honors sequence (495A, 495BW), and take a graduate course. Students must also maintain at least a 3.7 overall and major GPA throughout their senior year in order to graduate with honors.

Want to learn more about Honors in Anthropology? Please check out the Q&A below, or contact either the Undergraduate Coordinator Heather Carpenter , or the Anthropology Honors Program Coordinator Dr.  Bobby Paul , for more information. You may also learn more about Emory College honors requirements in the Emory College Catalog .

Sample Biological Anthropology Proposal

Sample cultural anthropology proposal, honors theses 1983-2023, ready to apply, application for honors in anthropology, honors in anthropology faqs, what are the requirements of the honors program in anthropology, how do i apply.

The application process takes place in spring semester of the junior year.  Invitations to apply to the honors program will be sent out to all eligible Anthropology majors in January, and applications are due in March.  In order to apply, students must first identify a faculty member who will serve as their honors advisor, and work with that advisor to develop a proposed honors project.  The application consists of a one page description of the proposed project, a cover sheet signed by the prospective honors advisor, and a writing sample.  Completed applications will be reviewed by the honors committee, and decisions communicated via email in late March to early April.

What is the role of the honors advisor? Who can serve as my advisor?

Each honors student works closely throughout the year with your advisor to develop the research question, research strategy, literature review, data collection strategies, and, ultimately, the production of your thesis. Close and regular communication between advisor and advisee is critical for the success of your project. Your advisor may be either from inside the department or outside the department but should be able to direct you in writing an anthropology honors thesis. If you are considering an advisor outside the Anthropology department, please check with the Anthropology Honors Coordinator in advance to confirm whether they can be approved. More details on advisor and committee requirements are available in the  College Catalog .

Who can serve on my committee?

Your committee must include at least three “core” members. Core committee members must be regular Emory University faculty members from any school or unit (meaning Emory faculty outside the College may serve in this capacity, including Oxford College faculty). At least one member must be from within the Anthropology department. If you are pursuing the Religion and Anthropology joint major, you must have at least one committee member from Anthropology and one from Religion.

You may have additional committee members, including faculty from other universities, beyond the required three core members. Only core members vote on level of honors. Your advisor counts as one of the three “core” members (see question above for more about advisors). More details on advisor and committee requirements are available on the  College Catalog .

What makes a thesis anthropological?

Anthropologists study all aspects of human life. Our methods and topics are as diverse as humanity itself, but anthropologists are united in a commitment to holistic and empirically-grounded approaches to the human experience. We use ethnographic, computational, digital, archaeological, comparative and experimental research methods to explore a broad range of human conditions, past and present. In recent years, honors students have employed a wide range of methods: including interviews, focus groups, participant-observation, surveys, media/document analysis, mathematical modeling, and statistical analysis.

How do I find an advisor?

How do i decide on a topic.

In considering topics, consider: What question interests me enough to spend a year trying to answer it? What primary sources will I use (and have access to)?  What is feasible? What is interesting to my potential advisor?  You could start by going back through old essays or research for classes you enjoyed and finding topics in which you want to dive deeper (and then the faculty who taught that course might be a good person to ask to be your advisor).  Keep in mind that many students don’t start out with a clear research project in mind. You may prefer to start by finding a faculty member you would like to work with as your thesis advisor (see above), and then asking them to help you think through possible project ideas.

Also, it could be helpful to check out this  list of honors theses produced in recent years.  Looking at this list of topics (and the names of the advisors that supervised them) may be helpful in identifying an advisor. You can also access the full text of many past honors theses at https://etd.library.emory.edu/ . Click the "Search Go" icon at the top right, then filter School for “Emory College” and department for “Anthropology”. If you choose to filter by Committee Member, note they may show up as "First Last"; "Last, First"; and "Dr. First Last", so you'll need to filter multiple times.

How many pages is an honors thesis?

This should be worked out with your advisor, but plan for approximately 60-100 pages.

Can my project be completed in a non-traditional format (ie something other than a written paper)?

Non-traditional, experimental, multi-modal and multi-genre forms of scholarly production and publishing are increasingly prevalent in the field of anthropology.  With the support and approval of an appropriate faculty member and the Anthropology Faculty Honors Coordinator, a student may satisfy the honors thesis requirement in our department by producing a conventional written thesis  combined with  another scholarly genre recognized within the discipline of anthropology (film, museum display/installation, web-based, sonic production, theater/performance, etc.).  Students should note that in addition to their non-traditional project, they will be required to submit an accompanying text that supplies an anthropological context for the work.

Students who wish to apply to the Honors program with a “non-traditional” project (that is, one that will not be pursued and presented primarily through text) must submit a proposal to the Honors coordinator and have the support and approval of the coordinator and an appropriate faculty member. The proposal should contain the following sections:

• The outline of the anthropological scope of the project and identification of particular questions to be engaged
• A rationale for why the non-traditional approach is appropriate, given the questions to be explored
• A timeline for the project

If you are thinking about a non-traditional project, please reach out to the Anthropology Faculty Honors Coordinator as early as possible to discuss this option further.

Who is the Faculty Honors Coordinator and what is their role?

The Faculty Coordinator of the Honors Program in Anthropology is Dr.  Bobby Paul . Their role is to guide you through the process and structure of the honors program, to help keep you on track with the timing of various components of your thesis, to identify additional resources on campus that can support your research, and to provide a thoughtful space and intellectual community for dialogue about your project and about the process of research.

Who is the Staff Honors Coordinator and what is their role?

The Anthropology Undergraduate Program Coordinator,  Heather Carpenter , serves as the staff coordinator for the Honors Program in Anthropology.  Their role is to manage the administrative side of the honors program, which includes the application process, enrollment in the honors course, scheduling group meetings and thesis defenses, tracking honors student progress, and communication with applicants, students, and the College Honors office.  The Undergraduate Program Coordinator is a good first contact for questions about honors program requirements, eligibility, deadlines, or other questions that arise.

What is the timeline for the Anthropology Honors Program?

Students apply and are admitted to the Anthropology Honors Program in spring of their junior year.  Some students go ahead and begin research over the summer, although most wait until fall term. Students who plan to conduct any research involving human subjects should work with their faculty advisors to submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application at the end of the spring term or over the summer, before beginning research. 

In the fall term of the senior year, students complete the bulk of their research and write the literature review portion of the thesis.  Students are enrolled in ANT 495A, and may enroll in their graduate course in either the fall or spring term.

In the spring term of the senior year, students complete their research and writing by around mid-March, and defend their theses by the end of March / first week in April.  Students are enrolled in ANT 495BW and receive continued writing credit for their thesis work.

What is the time commitment for honors students?

The best way to think about the time commitment is to note the number of credit hours received for participating in the honors program. As an honors student, you would take 495A (3 credit hours) in the fall and 495BW (4 credit hours) in the spring. Since 1 credit hour is awarded for 3 hours/week of class time, you can plan to spend approximately 9 hours per week working towards your honors thesis in the fall. The spring course is a writing course and worth 4 credits, so you could be working approximately 12 hours/week on writing and completing your thesis. However, note that theses are defended at the end of March and final submission is in early April, which means that the work in the spring term is frontloaded toward the beginning and middle of the semester.  On the plus side, your thesis will be completely finished weeks before your other finals for the spring term.

The honors “classes” (495A and 495BW) meet about once every 2 weeks to once per month and are designed to facilitate your progress through the honors program (rather than provide extra work), so the time commitment tends to be fluid. The honors program is very self-driven, so you would set the research/writing schedule that works best for you in collaboration with your advisor. With good work ethic and time management, students have successfully balanced the Honors Program with studying for and taking graduate entrance exams, completing graduate school applications, job interviews, and the many other exciting transitions that occur in senior year.  While many students do take relatively full course loads in addition to completing the thesis, it could be a good idea to try to take more of your courses in the fall with a lighter load in the spring if possible.

What are the 495A and 495BW classes?

The honors course sequence is constituted by a series of meetings with the Honors Coordinator and Undergraduate Coordinator and/or with other faculty and staff resources on campus. The purpose of this course is fourfold:

• To support you in navigating academic and administrative structures, including following departmental and College policies, procedures, and timelines and working effectively with your advisor to complete the thesis;
• To scaffold the research process in a way that helps you to manage your time over the course of the year;
• To explore and discuss key components of the thesis process such as conducting a literature review, encountering research dilemmas (ethical, methodological, etc), preparing for the defense, etc.; and
• To offer you a chance to learn from and support your peers as you share your research and research experiences.

The faculty honors coordinator will offer you feedback on the  writing  of this thesis, however you will need to be in close contact with your advisor to determine the  structure ,  content , and  style  of the thesis.

How do credits and grading work for 495A and 495BW?

Both courses count toward your overall degree requirements and toward your GPA. They may also be counted as electives toward the Anthropology major, within the limit of 2 total directed reading/research courses (which include ANT 397R and 497R). ANT 495A is a 3 credit course. ANT 495BW is a 4 credit course and counts for continued writing (WRT) credit. If you plan to underload in your final semester, you may request less than 4 honors credits. Your grade in the course reflects your work moving toward completion of the thesis, not the level of honors received on the completed thesis.

What does an honors defense look like?

You will meet with your committee members at a mutually agreed upon time.  Your advisor will facilitate the meeting.  The defense usually takes 1 hour, though rooms are typically reserved for 1.5 hours.  You should plan to present (with Powerpoint or other visual media) for approximately 15 minutes.  Your committee will then spend the next 20-30 minutes asking you questions (for example, about your findings, your methodological decisions, the limitations of your research, your mode of representing it, etc).  You will then be asked to leave the room and they will discuss the results of your research and determine whether you have passed and the level of honors awarded (Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors). 

What are the levels of honors?

Per the  Emory College Honors Program  webpage:

Honors  (cum laude) represents satisfactory completion of the program, with an overall average of 3.50.

High Honors  (magna cum laude) represents completion of the program with outstanding performance, including an overall average of 3.50 and a thesis of quality sufficient for oral presentation to scholars in the candidate's field.

Highest Honors  (summa cum laude) represents completion of the program with exceptional performance, including an overall average of 3.50 and a thesis of a quality suitable for publication.

I plan to graduate in December of my senior year. Can I still participate in the Honors Program?

Yes, but you need to plan ahead and contact the Honors Coordinator early in the fall of your junior year.  Students must be enrolled in honors for 2 semesters with senior status, so you would begin the program in January of the year you plan to graduate. This means you would need to begin the application process no later than September of the year  before  you plan to graduate, to allow time to find an advisor, develop a project, be admitted to the program, and apply for IRB (if needed for your project) in that fall term so that you can begin research in January.  The fall deadline for honors applications is September 30th.

If you will reach official “senior” status before your next-to-last fall semester, it may also be possible to complete the honors program on the regular fall-spring timeline, one year early (leaving one more fall semester before graduation after completing honors).  This would allow you the benefit of completing the honors thesis along with a cohort of other students. In this case, you would need to submit your application by the normal deadline for rising seniors (mid-March). 

I plan to take a fifth year. Can I do the honors thesis in my fourth year?

Most likely not. The College Honors Program sees the honors thesis as being intended for completion in a student’s final year of enrollment, and tends to deny this request. If you feel that you have a strong case for why you should complete the thesis in your fourth year instead of your fifth, please contact the Honors Coordinator.

I plan to study abroad in fall of my senior year. Can I still participate in the Honors Program?

Yes, though you need to be sure you have a clear plan developed with your advisor in advance, and be in agreement about how and how often you will check in while you are abroad. You should also discuss your plans with the Honors Coordinator to determine what type of progress you will be expected to make on your thesis while you are abroad (students enrolled in 495A are typically expected to complete the literature review portion of the thesis).

What is IRB approval and do I need it?

If your project involves human subjects, then you will need to obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning your research. ( http://www.irb.emory.edu/forms/review/index.html ) The IRB application process can take a couple of months, so you definitely want to complete it in the summer before you begin your honors project. Keep in mind that faculty can be more difficult to reach over the summer, so you should talk with your advisor about IRB before the end of the spring term. Once you are admitted into the honors program, you will receive some resources to help you get started with the IRB process, but your advisor will likely be your best resource.

Who can help honors students with research preparation and data organization?

Besides your honors thesis advisor and committee members, you can find support from the helpful subject librarians at the Woodruff Library.  Our Anthropology Librarian, Dr.  Lori Jahnke , is an excellent resource for Honors students!  You can reference her  research guide , and/or schedule an individual consultation to help you make the most effective use of library resources. Another library resource is Dr.  Melissa Hackman , Sociology subject librarian, who is very helpful with questions related to data analysis/coding software (like MAXQDA).

Is there funding available for honors research?

While many honors projects do not involve significant cost, there are some funding opportunities available for students whose projects require additional funding support or include travel.

• Independent Research Grant  through the Undergraduate Research Programs office (deadline mid-April for summer funding, mid-Sept for fall funding)
• Undergraduate Global Research Fellowship  through the Halle Institute for Global Research and the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry (note the deadline for this application is usually early February, so you would need to have your project idea together early)
• Undergraduate Humanities Honors Fellowship through the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry (application opens November 1st)
• JWJI Honors Fellowship through the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference.  (apply by July 21, 2023)
• CMBC Undergraduate Fellowship  through the Center for Mind, Brain, and Culture (apply by March 15)
• Rose Library Awards  for archival research, including the Currey Travel Award (pre-research) and Alan Rackoff Prize for projects completed using Rose Library source materials. (apply by April 30)
• See also: Trevor E. Stokol Scholarship for undergraduate research (this is not research funding per se, but a scholarship awarded to rising anthropology seniors based on the merits of their research projects).

Can I see a copy of previously written honors theses in Anthropology?

 Yes! A list of anthropology honors theses produced in recent years is available at the top of this page. You can also access the full text of many past honors theses at https://etd.library.emory.edu/ .  Click the "Search Go" icon at the top right, then filter School for “Emory College” and department for “Anthropology”.  If you choose to filter by Committee Member, note they may show up as "First Last"; "Last, First"; and "Dr. First Last", so you'll need to filter multiple times.

Undergraduate

Emory college, honors program, heather carpenter, senior undergraduate academic degree program coordinator.

Honors Program Coordinator

Robert a. paul, director of undergraduate research, director of undergraduate studies, charles howard candler professor of anthropology and interdisciplinary studies.

Home > College of Arts and Sciences > Anthropology > ANTHRO_HONTHESES

Anthropology Honors Theses

Honors theses from 2022 2022.

The Phoenix And The Sankofa Bird Atlanta’s Arts Institutions and Their Communities , Magdalena Dumitrescu

Human Femoral Head Dimorphism Compared to Sex Differences in the Diaphysis of the Femur , Alyssa Thibault

Honors Theses from 2021 2021

Closeted Tiktok: Liminality, Internalized Stigma, and Heterotopia in the Rite of “Coming Out” , Michael-Anthony Claytor

Honors Theses from 2019 2019

Exploring the Dietary Proclivities of Neanderthals Using Dental Microwear , Laura M. Diaz-Villaquiran

Drama Therapy: A Character Analysis of the Self , Kathryn Leek

Obstacles to Integration: Caseworkers’ Perspectives on the Refugee Resettlement Process , Richard A. Powers

Honors Theses from 2017 2017

Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates and Sexual Education Programs in the Georgia School System , Valerie Masutier

Honors Theses from 2016 2016

Pipes of Long Swamp: Examining the Native American Pipes from the Lamar and Mary Fowler Holcomb Collection , Danielle Carmody

Queer Subjectivity, Transmedia, and Embodiment in the Carmilla Fandom , Stephanie Skinner

Honors Theses from 2015 2015

Maps, Tourism, and Historical Pedagogy: A Study of Power, Identity, and the Politics of Representation in Two Southern Cities , Jessica Marie Moss

Honors Theses from 2014 2014

Deutsches Auto AG and its Global Behavior , Liane Armenta

Empowered Princesses: An Ethnographic Examination of the Practices, Rituals, and Conflicts within Lolita Fashion Communities in the United States , Kyla Daniéll Robinson

Honors Theses from 2013 2013

Maya Ceramic Production and Trade: A Glimpse into Production Practices and Politics at a Terminal Classic Coastal Maya Port , Christian Holmes

Honors Theses from 2012 2012

Contemporary Amish Youth and the Transition to Adulthood , Maeghan B. Dessecker

Sickness, Violence and Reconciliation: Congenital Heart Disease in Iraq , D. Alexander Phillips

Comfortable with Their Bodies: Menstruation, Culture and Materialism in America , Sally Phipps

Honors Theses from 2011 2011

Creating a Chronocline of the Diet of Theropithecus From Low-magnification Stereomicroscopy: How Has the Diet of Theropithecus Changed Over Time? , Meri K. Hatchett

The Cultural Influence and Interpretation of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders , Joy M. Messerschmidt

Negotiating Identity Among Second-Generation Indian Americans: A Collaborative Ethnography , Kelly E. Murray

Socioeconomic and Cultural Aspects of Overweight and Obesity in Georgia's African American Community , Alicia C. Simpson

Honors Theses from 2006 2006

The State in the Indus River Valley , Adam Green

Advanced Search

• Notify me via email or RSS
• Collections
• Disciplines
• Submit ETD (Thesis/Dissertation)
• Department of Anthropology

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

• College of Arts and Sciences
• UB Directory
• Department of Anthropology >
• Undergraduate >

Honors Thesis

Honors in Anthropology is achieved by maintaining a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major and satisfactorily completing a two-semester research project through intensive consultation with a thesis advisor and two more faculty members.

Qualified students wishing to achieve honors in anthropology must take the following steps:

• Gain consent from the faculty member(s) who will supervise the project by submitting an Application for Honors in Anthropology form.
• Apply to the department in writing by the end of their junior year, and no later than the end of the course registration period in the first semester of their senior year. 
• Honors students register for three hours of Independent Study (AP 499) both Fall and Spring semester of the senior year.
• For students graduating in June, the completed project must be submitted to the adviser no later than March 15 . For students graduating in February, the completed project must be submitted to the adviser no later than October 15 .
• Three (3) copies of the completed project must be submitted.

The project is evaluated by the thesis adviser and faculty members of the thesis committee. The decision to award honors is based on the project, course grades and other achievements. With an Anthropology GPA of 3.75 or higher and a superior honors project, the student may be granted honors with distinction.

For students interested in the honors program, please apply in person to the Undergraduate Program Office.

Honors Thesis Forms

Meet our students.

Melissa Ellis Critical Museum Studies

Laura Levon Brady PhD Candidate in Cultural Anthropology 

Caitlin Cole-Conroy Vice President, Anthropology Student Association Club Anthropology Major 

Brittany Kenyon

PhD Candidate in Physical Anthropology

Kristin Hatch Critical Museum Studies

Christopher Moore Critical Museum Studies

Hans Harmsen, PhD '16 Anthropology PhD Alum

• University of California, Irvine

We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience and tailor content. By continuing to use our sites, you accept our use of cookies. For further information please see UCI Privacy and Legal Notice .

Honors Program in Anthropology Malinowski Prize for Undergraduate Research Ruth Fulton Benedict Paper Prize The Zora Neale Hurston Prize for Creative, Multimodal Anthropology Reza Zarif and Rufina Paniego School of Social Sciences Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Anthropology Current and Past Malinowski and Ruth Fulton Benedict Award Winners Lambda Alpha Kappa  

Honors Program

The four-quarter Honors Program in Anthropology is designed to allow undergraduates to pursue field research and write an Honors thesis on a topic of their choice under the guidance of Department of Anthropology faculty members. Research projects typically involve a combination of library research, exploratory ethnographic interviews, participant observation, and systematic data collection and analysis. Successful completion of the Honors program and the Honors thesis satisfies the upper-division writing requirement.

ELIGIBILITY

Admission to the program is based on a formal application that is normally submitted in the Winter quarter of the junior year.

To be eligible for the Honors program, students should:

Be Anthropology majors

Have an overall GPA of at least 3.3

Have a GPA of at least 3.5 in Anthropology major courses

Have completed or be concurrently enrolled in ANTHRO 100A

Informational Meeting will be on Thursday, January 25th 2024, SBSG 3323 at 5:00PM

APPLICATIONS

To apply for the honors program in 2024-25 ( you must expect to graduate in spring or summer 2025 ): Complete the Docusign Application Form , fill it out, have your advisor sign the form, by Friday, February 23, 2024 for the 2024-25 academic year. You will be notified of application results via email by Thursday, March 28, 2024 . If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Undergraduate Program Directors, Professor Kris Peterson ( [email protected] ).

DEADLINES, EXPECTATIONS, and TIMELINE for Honors Students

Students who are accepted into the Honors program complete a four-quarter Honors seminar series beginning in Spring quarter of their junior year. Students will write a proposal describing their research questions, the relevant background literature, and the methods of data collection and analysis (ANTHRO H190A); conduct ethnographic field research (ANTHRO H190B); apply qualitative data analysis methods to their research data (ANTHRO H190C); and write a senior Honors thesis that is typically 40 to 80 pages long (ANTHRO H190W). Each quarter, students must concurrently be enrolled in one unit of ANTHRO 199 with their thesis advisor. Honors theses are read and evaluated by the advisor and the Undergraduate Program Director.

STEP 1:  Find a topic and an advisor (ideally during the first half of Junior year)

At this beginning stage, you should find a professor willing to serve as your research project advisor on the basis of a mutually acceptable abstract that indicates the goal and significance of the study. The faculty advisor must be a full time regular faculty member in the Anthropology Department. Any other potential advisor is subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Director.

STEP 2: Submit an Honors Program application by the deadline.

See above for a link to the application and more information about current deadlines and the submission process.

STEP 3: For Spring 2023  enroll in ANTHRO H190A (3 units) AND enroll in ANTHRO 199 (1 unit) with your advisor.

During the Spring quarter of your Junior year, you and the other Honors program participants will design your research projects, submit your research protocols for ethical review, and apply for UROP and/or SURP funding.

STEP 4: For Fall, enroll in ANTHRO H190B (3 units) AND enroll in ANTHRO 199 (1 unit) with your advisor.

Having spent time developing your project over the previous Spring, you should be ready to start research in the Fall. You will spend the bulk of the Fall quarter conducting research.

STEP 5: For Winter, enroll in ANTHRO H190C (3 units) AND ANTHRO 199 (1 unit) with your advisor.

During the Winter quarter, you will continue or finish your primary research and will focus on analyzing your data. You will complete an annotated outline of the thesis, including chapter or section abstracts, and bibliographic information.

DUE Monday of Week 10 in Winter quarter:  AT MINIMUM, an annotated outline with chapter or section abstracts, delivered to your advisor.

STEP 6:  For Spring, enroll in ANTHRO H190W.

This course fulfills your upper division writing requirement. Over the Spring quarter, you will complete a full draft of the thesis and turn it in to your advisor and the Undergraduate Director three weeks prior to the last day of the quarter. After receiving feedback on the draft, you must submit the final version of the thesis by the end of the quarter. Be sure to check all deadlines and plan appropriately.

DUE Monday of Week 7, Spring quarter : Full first draft of thesis, delivered to your advisor.

NOTE: In order to graduate with Honors, you must submit a full draft of your thesis to your faculty advisor by this date. If you do not submit a full draft of your thesis to your advisor by this deadline, you will NOT receive Honors at graduation. The draft should be a complete thesis that requires only minor stylistic or bibliographic work, or easily fixable revisions, before being submitted in final form.

DUE Friday of Week 10, Spring quarter : Final thesis/draft, delivered to your advisor.

NOTE. If you plan on submitting your thesis for a paper prize, these deadlines may need to be revised to earlier dates. Talk to your advisor and the Undergraduate Director for details.

Anthropology Honors Degree Check Form

Anthropology Honors Students, 2022-2023

Madilyn Salgado

Anthropology Honors Students, 2021-2022 Jacob Ryan Clayton Andrea Danielle Valentini Sadat Zaman

Anthropology Honors Students, 2020-2021 Obeydah Mona Darwish Christine Ji-Young Kim Layla Dawn Athena Littlemeyer Mara Jordan Shaprio

Anthropology Honors Students, 2019-2020 Talin Abramian Tanya Michelle Bertone Arian Karimi Victoria Angela Maola Karla Denisse Milicich Jael Alanah Nixon Nina Parshekofteh Lafayette Pierre White

Anthropology Honors Students, 2016-2017 Soha Bayginegad Madison Marie Dixson Aaron Goeser Yuneun Pamela Lopez Acosta Amanda M. Ortscheid

Anthropology Honors Students, 2015-2016 Medha Asthana Harwood Garland II Krystina Jarema Eurie Kim Natalie Schroeder

Anthropology Honors Students, 2014-2015 Arielle Margot Arambula Ricardo Avelar Jordan Harrison Glenn Victoria Hoerth Litvin Allison Stoddard Krebs Amanda Victoria Ramirez Ashley Kayrinna Welll s

Anthropology Honors Students, 2013-2014 Ali Shamsuddin Alkhatib Christopher Bucklew Sharon Ho Linh Khai Le Jacqueline Anh Nguyen Nadia Nikroo Samuel Puliafico Alexander Tron

Anthropology Honors Students, 2012-2013 Jessica Michelle Holland Shadia Jennifer Mansour Esther Marie Mealy Mika Alyssa Smith Jazmine Ka Yan Wong Anne Marie Mariscal

Anthropology Honors Students, 2011-2012 Jaime Allen Autri Baghkhanian Markie Bear Meghan Brady Jennifer Bui Marc Calilan Julianne M. Holloway Emily K. Johnston-O'Neill Khuyen Lam Yuliya A. Polovinchik

Anthropology Honors Students, 2010-2011 Anun Arshad Caroline Clausen Farley Hamada Elizabeth McDowell Merusha Nasoordeen Nahal Nikroo Shahrzad Mossanenzadeh Donna Vuu

Honors Students in Anthropology, 2009-2010 Shaheen Amirebrahimi Jamie Bennigsdorf Ian Collins Hadia Hakim Kate Rippel Sarah Seif

Paper Prizes in Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine, announces three undergraduate student paper prizes that recognize outstanding achievement in anthropological research and communication. The recipient of each paper prize will receive a $100 award.

The Malinowski Prize for Undergraduate Research

The Malinowski Prize for Undergraduate Research recognizes outstanding original research. Original research encompasses independent data collection based on any combination of the following methods: participant observation, interviews, surveys, documentary research, collection of images or texts from popular culture, and/or formal data collection and analysis. Anthropology majors who conduct such studies as part of regular coursework, an Honor's thesis, UROP, SURP, EAP, or other such programs are eligible. Papers written in collaboration with faculty members may NOT be submitted.

Criteria: Students may submit only one paper for consideration for this prize. Papers should be no more than 40 pages in length. Honor's theses may be submitted, but must adhere to the length requirement. The winning research paper will be posted and archived on the Departmental website and the recipient of the prize will receive an award at the Department's Spring awards ceremony.

Deadline: May 10, 2024. Please submit your project via the Google Form . Faculty may nominate student projects (only one project per student); please submit a copy of the project with your nomination by 1 pm on May 6, 2024. 

The Ruth Fulton Benedict Paper Prize

The Ruth Fulton Benedict Paper Prize r ecognizes outstanding writing in anthropology. All undergraduates are eligible. The recipient of the paper prize will receive a $100 award. Criteria: Students may submit only one paper for consideration from an anthropology class at UCI. Papers should be no more than 30 pages in length. Honor's theses may not be submitted. The paper need not report on original research, but it must demonstrate analytical acuity, creativity, and dexterity with the conventions of anthropological writing. The winning paper will be posted and archived on the Departmental website, and the recipient of the prize will receive an award at the Department's Spring awards ceremony. Deadline: May 10, 2024. Please submit your project via the Google Form . Faculty may nominate student projects (only one project per student); please submit a copy of the project with your nomination by 1 pm on May 6, 2024. 

The Zora Neale Hurston Prize for Creative, Multimodal Anthropology The Zora Neale Hurston Prize for Creative, Multimodal Anthropology recognizes outstanding anthropological engagement across multiple media, including film, image, sound, and digital technologies. All undergraduates are eligible. The recipient of the prize will receive a $100 award. Criteria : Students may submit only one project for consideration from an anthropology class at UCI. These may include videos, podcasts, animations, photo essays, graphic narratives, performances, games, ethnographic fiction, posters, or other multimodal projects. Projects should demonstrate effective and creative communication of anthropological methods and insights. Projects may be accompanied by a brief (1-2 page) written description or artist's statement. The winning project will be posted and archived on the Departmental website, and the recipient of the prize will receive an award at the Department's Spring awards ceremony. Deadline : May 10, 2024. Please submit your project via the Google Form . Faculty may nominate student projects (only one project per student); please submit a copy of the project with your nomination by 1 pm on May 6, 2024. 

Current and Past Malinowski and Ruth Fulton Benedict Paper Prize Winners

Malinowski Prize:

2022 - Alvaro Garcia

2021 - Christine Kim

2020 - Victoria Angela Maola, "Dinner Table Conversations: An Ethnographic Collection of a Speech Community of Bilingual Italian-Americans in North County San Diego, California." (Faculty sponsors: Kris Peterson and Justin Richland)

2019 - Nina Parshekofteh, "A Green Strand in the Urban Fabric" (Faculty sponsor, Valerie Olson)

2018 - Aaron Michael Goeser, " Evading Capture: The Affective Movements of a Samurai Art" (Faculty sponsor, Valerie Olson)

2018 - Amanda Ortscheid (Honorable Mention), "The Inevitable Ascendance of Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Conceptualization of Social and Scientific Progress" (Faculty sponsor, Valerie Olson)

2017 - Madison Marie Dixson,  "Humans and their Emotional Support Animals: Challenging Legal and Social Discourses with Lived Experiences" (Faculty sponsor, Angela Jenks)

2016 - Medha Asthana

2014 - Linh Khai Le, "Documentary: An Argument for Subjectivity" (Faculty sponsor, Roxanne Varzi)

2013 - Not Awarded

2012 - Not Awarded

2011 - Farley Hamada, "Of Plight and Providence: Big Pharma and the Effects of Pharmaceutical Advertising on U.S. Patients with RLS, Insomnia, GERD, and GAD" (Faculty sponsor: Keith Murphy)

2010 - Not Awarded

2009 - Hadia Hakim, " Palestinian Identity-Formation in Yarmouk: Constructing National Identity Through the Development of Space " (Faculty sponsor, Victoria Bernal)

2008 - Ana Siria Urzua, " Gentrification and Displacement: Assessing Responses in Santa Ana, California " (Faculty sponsor, Michael Montoya)

2007 - Kevin Michael Smith and Raul Perez, "Research in Intentional Communities: Past and Present" (Faculty sponsor, Bill Maurer)

2006 - Ashley T. Brenner, "Analysis of the Perception of the Paradigms of Archaeology and the Effect on the Discipline" (Faculty sponsor, Bill Maurer)

Benedict Prize:

2022 - Jiaxin Li

2021 - Monica Rodas

2020 - K Persinger, "'Online you can...seek out people you know are going to accept you': A Discussion of LGBT + Digital Fandom Community" (Faculty sponsor: Anneeth Hundle)

2019 - Lafayette White, "Urban Aesthetic Authoritarianism" (Faculty sponsor: Valerie Olson)

2018- Sarah Shiori Mahoney, "The Machiya Boom: Remodeling Identity Through Space" (Faculty sponsor: Sylvia Nam)

2017 - Angela Romea

2016 - Natalie Schroeder,

Carmen Chem, Honorable Mention

2015 - Not Awarded

2014 -Jazmin Martinez, "Join Us In Mouring"

2013 - William Larsen, "Fishing for Answers"

2013 - Mallory Bruno, "Death is Cute: Global Consumer Images of the Supernatural Aspects of Death"

2011 - Elizabeth McDowell, "Birth Control, Out of Our Control" (Faculty Sponsor, Susan Greenhalgh)

2010 - Ariana Keil, "Genital Anxieties and the Quest for the Perfect Vulva: A Feminist Analysis of Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery" (Faculty Sponsor, Susan Greenhalgh)

2009 - Monica Murtaugh, " Constructing the Haitian Zombie: An Anthropological Study Beyond Madness " (Faculty sponsor, Angela Garcia)

2008 - Not Awarded

2007 - Katie Harrison, "The Image of the Disney Princess and the Impressions of Feminism" (Faculty sponsor, Susan Greenhalgh)

2006 - Jeannine Stepanian, "Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Policies in the U.S." (Faculty sponsor, Tom Boellstorff)

Hurston Prize

2022 - Mia Isabelle Castro

2021 - Nicole Diem

2020 - Mirindah Yang, "The Mystical Wellness of Ankhlettes" (Faculty sponsor: Ian Straughn)

2019 - Nichole Yuki Wong, "An Encounter with Biomedicine. A Story about a Cholecystectomy" ( Faculty sponsor: Angela Jenks)

The Reza Zarif and Rufina Paniego School of Social Sciences Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Anthropology

2012 - Adrienne Nguyen

2011 - Julianne Holloway

2010 - Claudia Moya The value of anthropology in Claudia's words: "College has opened my mind and it has expanded it beyond all my expectations...If it had not been for anthropology, I would not have been able to accept the fact that there are more important things in life than letter grades. And this is where anthropology's biggest life lesson comes in: everyone has a story. One of my goals in life is to help tell someone's true-life story and to help make one life easier to live. The more we open our eyes and our minds to the world around us, the more we learn about ourselves. Thus, it is a win-win situation. You just have to be willing to take risks and respect differences."

2009 - Elizabeth McDowell The value of anthropology in Lizzie's own words: "While nations may be able to amass an impressive arsenal of weaponry, they will not possess the tools to discover the root cause of their conflicts, many of which are seated in cultural differences. That is why anthropology is the most advantageous tool one can possess. By using it, a wealth of knowledge can be gained and applied to propose concrete solutions when we are in dire need of them."

connect with us

© UC Irvine School of Social Sciences - 3151 Social Sciences Plaza, Irvine, CA 92697-5100 - 949.824.2766

• Skip to Main
• Join Our Mailing Lists
• Archive and Image Gallery
• Statement on Anti-Racism
• Office Hours & Directory
• Administrative Resources
• Open Faculty Position
• Administration and Staff
• Graduate Students
• Current Students in the Major
• Adjunct Faculty
• Affiliated Faculty
• Global Faculty
• Retired and Emeritus Faculty
• Postdoctoral Scholars
• Visiting Scholars
• In Memoriam
• CAS Minor in Archaeology
• Course Offerings
• Internships and Independent Studies
• Anthropology Abroad
• Undergraduate Awards and Honors
• UG Student Association
• Diversity, Support, and Outreach
• Resources and Careers
• FAQs for Undergraduates
• NYU Anthro Grad Central
• MS in Human Skeletal Biology
• PhD Programs
• Program in Culture and Media
• Fellowship Directory
• Graduate Student Honors and Awards
• Documentaries and Theses
• Graduate Student Forms
• Graduate Program Handbooks
• FAQs for Prospective Grad Students
• Spring 2024
• Spring 2023
• Spring 2022
• Spring 2021
• Spring 2020
• Spring 2019
• Spring 2018

How to Honor in Anthropology

Honors program in anthropology.

Majors who meet the requirements for College Honors and who maintain an overall grade point average of 3.65 and an average of 3.65 in the major are eligible to apply for admission to the Honors Program in Anthropology during their junior year. Students interested in applying to the Honors Program must first secure the support a faculty supervisor from within the department who agrees to work closely with the student in developing their honors project and who will mentor the student's progress through the Honors Program. This faculty member will serve as the primary reader of the student's honors thesis. Students in consultation with their faculty supervisor also choose a second member from the Department of Anthropology or from a relevant, related department, to serve as a second reader/commentator on the Honors Thesis. To apply for admission to the Honors Program, the student and their faculty supervisor need to complete and turn in to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) a completed copy of the Honors Research Agreement by the end of the 1st week of classes during the Fall semester of the student's senior year, and preferably by the middle of the Spring semester of the junior year. Honors Program candidates are expected to complete a total of 40 points (typically ten 4-unit classes) of anthropology course work , i.e., four points more than normally required for the major. The departmental Honors Program consists of, at minimum , a 12-point experience. First, all students doing honors must undertake a two-term capstone research project, under the supervision of a faculty adviser. This project should include sustained original research and should culminate in the production of an Honors Thesis. Additionally, Honors Program participants must take at least one Special Seminar in Anthropology (ANTH-UA 800 or ANTH-UA 801 for students pursuing honors research in sociocultural or linguistic anthropology) or a graduate course (for students focusing on archaeological or biological anthropology for their honors research) during the course of their undergraduate career. To support their capstone research experience, Honors Program students must complete the Department's two-semester research/thesis writing sequence, typically in the senior year. In the Fall semester, all honors candidates from across departmental sub-fields will enroll in Honors Research I (ANTH-UA 950) for 2 points in which research methods will be taught and individualized to fit the student's topic – e.g., assembling a bibliography; constructing hypotheses; using secondary, primary and occasionally original sources to generate data; and analyzing data. In the Spring semester, all thesis writers will enroll in Honors Research II (ANTH-UA 951) for two points to share their evolving theses with the group. In both semesters the student should also register for 2 points of independent study with his or her faculty adviser. 

A draft of the Honors Thesis must be completed by three weeks prior to the end of the semester in which the student graduates in order to give the two thesis readers sufficient time to comment on the thesis so revisions can be made. The final draft of the thesis must be turned in to the Department by the last day of the semester. The scope and length of an Honor's Thesis will vary by sub-field, but will typically be 40 to 60 double-spaced pages in length. Honors candidates are strongly encouraged to formally present posters/papers at the Dean’s Undergraduate Research Conference and within the department. Students must print out an additional copy of their thesis, bind it, and turn it in to the Undergraduate Administrative Aide, when their thesis is due to their faculty advisors. This copy of their thesis will be kept on file for reference for future Honors students. However, the names of the authors on these copies will be redacted so as to comply with FERPA regulations. Students with double majors in discrete, unrelated disciplines must complete Honors Programs in each major for which they seek honors. Students with double majors in interdisciplinary or related fields may, if the two departments concur, convene a joint honors committee to establish an interdisciplinary research program of coursework that culminates in a single thesis. In the case of joint majors, faculty supervisors and DUGSs from both relevant departments must work out an agreement on the requirements for honors and on the supervision and evaluation of students' theses or projects. 

Honors Program in Anthropology and Global Public Health

The College of Arts and Science (CAS) and the Department of Anthropology offer students the opportunity to pursue a major that combines anthropology and global public health. Students pursuing this combined program will complete core and elective courses in both areas.

The major provides interdisciplinary training that embraces the natural convergence of society, culture  and  health, and draws on the Department of Anthropology's strength in bridging the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. A major in global public health/anthropology prepares students to analyze various cultural traditions through the lens of health; to examine complex relationships within economic, political, cultural, physical, and biological environments; and to apply anthropological approaches to public health problems. The major is designed to prepare students for multidisciplinary careers in a variety of settings and/or for advanced academic training in public health, anthropology, or other related fields.

Students in this combined major must talk to the DUS or departmental liaison with GPH in the Department of Anthropology to work out a course plan. The following are the fifteen courses (60 points) required for the major:

Global public health requirements (seven courses/28 points):

• Health and Society in a Global Context (UGPH-GU 10)
• Biostatistics (UGPH-GU 20)
• Epidemiology (UGPH-GU 30)
• Health Policy in a Global World (UGPH-GU 40)
• Environmental Health in a Global World (UGPH-GU 50)
• GPH Internship (UGPH-GU 60)
• One semester of an advanced foreign language (above intermediate II level). Students who present AP or other advanced standing credit that is equivalent to completion of at least one course above intermediate two have satisfied the requirement. Students who take an NYU language placement exam and demonstrate proficiency equivalent to completion of at least one course above the intermediate two-level (i.e., they at least place into the second course above intermediate two) have also met this requirement.
• One semester of study away

Anthropology core courses (three courses/12 points):

• Culture, Power, Society (ANTH-UA 1)
• Medical Anthropology (ANTH-UA 35)
• Global Biocultures (ANTH-UA 36)

Anthropology elective courses (three courses/12 points), chosen from:

• Human Evolution (ANTH-UA 2)
• Language, Power, and Identity (ANTH-UA 16)
• Conversations in Everyday Life (ANTH-UA 32)
• Evolutionary Medicine  (ANTH-UA 55)
• Emerging Diseases (ANTH-UA 80)
• Human Ecology (ANTH-UA 90)
• Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (ANTH-UA 112)
• Race, Difference, and Social Inequality (ANTH-UA 323)
• Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (ANTH-UA 326)
• Human Rights and Culture (ANTH-UA 331)
• The Social Life of Food: Producing, Selling, Cooking, Sharing, Eating (ANTH-UA 410)

Major electives (two courses/8 points):

• Two additional electives must be completed in the GPH program or anthropology, by advisement. For descriptions of GPH (UGPH-GU) courses, and for all policies applying to the major (including those for transfer students), please see the global public health section of this Bulletin.

Contact Information

• Radu Iovita Director of Undergraduate Studies
• Evan Cerniglia Undergraduate Administrative Aide
• Book an Appointment with the DUS

Related Undergraduate Information

• Ways to Major in Anthropology
• Minor in Anthropology
• Undergraduate Resources

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Undergraduate Program

The study of humanity.

Anthropology offers the opportunity to study human existence in the present and the past and to explore how and why humans vary in their behaviors, cultures and biology. Students choose to study anthropology because they want to understand some of the most intriguing and troubling issues faced by modern society: the origin and meaning of ethnic and gender differences; the role of institutions in social, political and economic life; learned vs. innate behavior; the similarities and differences among human societies; and the meaning of religion, community and family.

We offer courses in archaeology, biological anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology. Our faculty are active in research around the world and bring a diversity of experiences to their teaching.

• Faculty research expertise in archaeology includes the origins of food production; the cultures of prehistoric North, Central and South America; African and Central Asian prehistory; environmental archaeology; geographic information systems (GIS).
• Biological anthropology faculty focus on the evolution of humans and on the ecology, behavior and evolution of nonhuman primates.
• Sociocultural faculty conduct research on a wide range of topics, including states, societies and beliefs; political ecology, demography, fertility and population; sociolinguistics; medical anthropology and public health; bodies, gender and sexuality; science and technology, mind and cognition; and religion and politics.

Fall Anthropology Orientation Virtual Tour

Interested in Anthropology? Join Professor T.R. Kidder for a virtual tour of the department.

A major, yet minor, life decision

Ahead of the 2020 Major-Minor Fair, senior Keishi Foecke looks back at her academic journey in Arts & Sciences.

Telling a tale of two cities

Major and minor.

Learn more about the Anthropology Major and Minor Requirements

Anthropology Major

Anthropology offers the opportunity to study human existence in the present and the past and to explore how and why humans vary in their behaviors, cultures and biology. Students choose to study anthropology because they want to understand some of the most intriguing and troubling issues faced by modern society: the origin and meaning of ethnic and gender differences; the role of institutions in social, political and economic life; learned vs. innate behavior; the similarities and differences among human societies; and the meaning of religion, community and family. Students may also be drawn to anthropology because of an interest in the human past as recorded in the archaeological and paleoanthropological record, or because of an interest in the function and evolution of the human body, or because of an interest in looking at non-human primates or the close relationships between humans, domesticated animals and plants.

Anthropology Minor

Global health and environment major track.

Global Health, which is a major focus of medical anthropology, concerns itself with the broad ways that humans address and cope with issues of health, illness, and well-being in cross-cultural and cross-temporal perspectives. Because issues of health, healing, and wellness are situated in an environmental context (especially the natural physical environment but also the human built and created environment), it is essential that the study of human health be understood within a broad environmental framework. Within Global Health, students will also have the opportunity to look at the human body within an evolutionary framework, understanding how evolution has shaped the human body and contributed to contemporary patterns of health and disease through course work in human anatomy, paleoanthropology, osteology, genetics, biological development and studies of non-human primates.

Global Health and Environment Minor Track

Anthropology minors may choose an optional track within the minor called Global Health and Environment if the students’ interests lie primarily within this area of Anthropology. Because this is an optional track within the minor, and not a stand-alone minor, all students enrolling in the track must complete anthropology department requirements as well as fulfilling specific requirements for the track as outlined below.

2020 Interim Academic Policies in Anthropology

Research Opportunities

In the past, research opportunities in anthropology department labs have included projects in archaeology, paleoethnobotany, geoarchaeology, zooarchaeology, genetic studies, human biomechanics, human osteology, human ecology, and primate studies. Every spring, undergraduate researchers have the opportunity to present at the annual anthropology honors and undergraduate research poster session.

Anthropology Honors Thesis

Latin Honors involves a demonstration of acquired knowledge based on two components: an original research project (thesis) and a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or above. Through an honors thesis in Anthropology, you will learn how to frame a research question, develop methods and analytical techniques with which to address it, and discuss your results in the context of relevant anthropological literature.

First Year Program: Medicine & Society

Addressing the important social and cultural foundations of health and illness, the Medicine & Society program also emphasizes service and research at health-related sites throughout St. Louis. The foundation of this program is medical anthropology, broadly defined as the study of human health and illness across culture, time, and location. Medical anthropologists examine the role of culture and society in shaping the experience of illness. We seek an understanding of such wide-ranging issues as responses to health threats, alternative medicine in modern society, the ethics of genetic testing and genetic engineering, social and behavioral factors affecting infectious diseases, and the causes of health disparities in the developing world.

Learn more about the Medicine & Society Program

Study Abroad

The Department recognizes and accepts courses from a number of semester or year abroad programs.

Student Resources

Past Honors Projects

see what past honors students have researched

Anthropology Awards

explore awards for anthropology students

Senior Honors Thesis

learn more about the anthropology honors program

Study Abroad Policy

discover how to earn credit while studying abroad

Lambda Alpha

join the national anthropology honorary society

Anthropology Science GPA courses

Courses including at least 50% of science, math, or physics.

search more resources

• Anthropology Department Resources
• College of Arts & Sciences Resources

Have a question? Reach out to Kirsten Jacobsen, the undergraduate program advisor.

Senior Thesis & Honors Thesis

Both Senior and Honors Theses are normally taken as a two-semester sequence. In the first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member. During the second semester, the student writes a thesis that presents the result of their research.

View PDF of Thesis Guidelines

Students must contact the faculty member with whom they would like to pursue a thesis with well before the beginning of the semester. The student must work with the Instructor to design a thesis, and complete the Senior Thesis Prospectus Form or the Honors Thesis Prospectus Form . You should also review the School of Anthropology Undergraduate Thesis Guidelines .

Each faculty member has a separate thesis section number for registration purposes. Students receive grades: A, B, C, D, E.

Interested in the graduating with Honors?

Learn more about the Honors Program and how you can broaden your experience with the School of Anthropology!

Anthropology Honors Program

• Have a Story Idea?
• University News
• Research & Scholarship
• W&M Life
• Service & Community
• Campus Announcements
• Latest News
• W&M Events

Symposium to highlight graduate & honors research connections

More than 155 graduate and undergraduate honors students from William & Mary and several regional universities will present their groundbreaking research at the second annual Graduate & Honors Research Symposium in Sadler Center March 20-22.

• share by email
• share on Facebook
• share on LinkedIn

The Graduate & Honors Research Symposium, to be held March 20-22 in William & Mary's Sadler Center, features a range of student panel presentations, poster sessions and speech competitions. (Photo by Sarah Glosson)

More than 155 graduate and undergraduate honors students from William & Mary and several regional universities will present their groundbreaking research at the second annual  Graduate & Honors Research Symposium  (GHRS) in the Sadler Center March 20-22.

Research from 14 different graduate fields of study and 21 undergraduate majors will be represented in a variety of formats, including panel presentations and poster sessions. The three-day event is open to all and free.

The GHRS is co-hosted by the  Arts & Sciences Graduate Center  and the  Charles Center , which administers the departmental honors program, honors fellowships and undergraduate summer research grants.

The symposium kicks off at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, in the Commonwealth Auditorium with the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, in which graduate students will present their research in three-minute talks intended for a general audience.

Director of the Arts & Sciences Graduate Center Sarah Glosson described the 3MT as a powerful way to open this year’s symposium. 

“Presenting a 3MT talk requires months of preparation and the rare ability to connect highly specialized research to a general audience in clear, creative and compelling ways,” said Glosson. “In three minutes, each speaker uniquely conveys the passionate commitment to research that is so prevalent at William & Mary.”

Ezekiel Wertz, a Ph.D. candidate in physics, helped organize the symposium. To Wertz, the public-facing dimension of the entire GHRS program challenges presenters “to step above the weeds and describe the research in a manner that is interdisciplinary and nontechnical.” “I think the ultimate goal of GHRS is to provide a venue that pushes people a little bit out of their own research comfort bubbles and broaden their horizons as a scholar and as a person,” Wertz said. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, students will engage in one-hour, concurrent panel sessions that highlight the rich landscape of graduate and undergraduate research underway across Arts & Sciences.

Glosson said that the GHRS has evolved over the years into a campus-wide event featuring research from nearly all corners of the university and beyond. “Our graduate students are doing deeply relevant research. Sometimes this research is conducted in teams alongside faculty and undergraduates, and sometimes it’s a more solitary endeavor; either way, they bring fresh questions, ideas and methods to our scholarly community and into their work as instructors in labs and classrooms,” Glosson said. “The symposium is a chance for the disciplines to come together, hear about other research, make connections with each other and share ideas and new directions.”

Jay Jolles, a doctoral student in American studies and chair of the GHRS organizing committee, said that the most rewarding part of the process has been working with colleagues across nearly all graduate programs and undergraduate units.

“Graduate school is an extremely singular endeavor, and it becomes increasingly more so as you progress into the latter stages of the degree. As a result, I feel a lot of gratitude for being able to engage meaningfully with colleagues in a way that I would not otherwise have the opportunity to do,” Jolles said. “I am immensely grateful for how serving as chair of this committee is a tremendous professional development opportunity.”

Jolles will also be presenting his work on music as a tool for surveillance at the symposium.

“The development of music streaming service Spotify, along with the proliferation of the algorithms that power it, has worked to leverage music as a tool that reveals how our increasingly networked society erodes the perceived boundaries between person and platform, private and public, music and mere data. This research is part of my dissertation project which investigates the changing aesthetic and technological practices that animate sounding and listening cultures in contemporary America,” Jolles said.

Among the 85 undergraduate honors presenters are Calvin Sloan ’24 and Kami Vigilant ’24. Both hope that their presentations will shed light on underrepresented or surprising parts of their work.

Sloan, an anthropology major, focuses on underground music in the Richmond, Virginia, area from an ethnographic perspective, specifically the practice of “moshing,” or a more intense and physical style of dance, often performed toward the front of a stage in a mosh pit.

“I want to delve into explaining what it’s about, the symbolic meanings behind it and why it’s appealing to people. I’m also really interested in grounding the discussion on genre. Underground music and punk especially has a lot of discourse around genres as it relates back to marketing,” Sloan said.

Sloan himself has even begun performing as a drummer at concerts throughout the duration of his research. He hopes that symposium attendees will use his work to understand the nuances and subcultures of the underground music scene.

“I understand that underground music isn’t for everybody. I hope that people can understand it in the sense of it being a subculture that has its own customs and ideology, and I want people to see the parallels between that and something they might be more familiar with,” Sloan said. “It’s just a different way of consuming art and interacting with others.”

Vigilant, a government and anthropology double major from Fredericksburg, Virginia, examines how film and media portray cults. She hopes to use this work to create a legal framework that includes guidance on how to observe, regulate and rehabilitate current and previous cult members.  Cult members “tend to be people who have become fed up with society or something has bothered them, and they’ve decided that their expertise is better suited somewhere else,” she said.

Vigilant also believes her research could protect people from cult influence. She hopes that attendees will listen to her work and think more critically about this complex topic.

Jolles sees the GHRS as a great opportunity for the campus community to learn more about connections that exist between the wide range of graduate and honors research underway at W&M.

“Especially for undergraduates who might be interested in pursuing graduate study, the GHRS is an excellent showcase for seeing what potential avenues are available to junior and emerging scholars and the type of work that is gaining traction in the academy these days,” Jolles said.

On Friday, March 22, the symposium will feature a series of research talks, a competitive honors “Thesis in Three” speech competition and several digital poster sessions. Awards will be presented during a culminating networking reception and traditional poster session featuring graduate and honors projects 3-5 p.m. in the Chesapeake room.

Interested in attending this year’s GHRS? Learn more  here .

Charles Center staff

Related Stories

W&M experiential courses bring biology to life and transform the student experience

Honors Fellowships program at W&M sees overwhelming demand

Our planet is getting hotter. An ancient tuber may help feed the world.

Navigating a future studying stars: W&M student co-authors prestigious astrophysics study

• Meet the Dean
• Dean's Executive Team
• Sustainability Council
• Vision, Mission, and Goals
• College Org. Chart
• Facts and Figures
• Faculty Honors and Awards
• Science Rankings
• Undergraduate Enrollment
• Climate and Diversity
• Diversity in STEM
• Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• College Guide program
• Rainbow Science Network
• Black in STEM
• Location and Maps
• Instruction and Curricula
• Staff Resources
• Frontiers of Science
• Science Journal
• Program Directory
• Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Department of Biology
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Physics
• Department of Statistics
• Science Major
• Science BS/MBA
• Premedical/Medical (BS/MD)
• Premedicine Major
• Office for Undergraduate Students
• First Year Living Options
• Scholarships
• Admitted Undergraduates
• Schedule a Visit
• Graduate Students
• Advising and Student Services
• Career Development
• Collaborative Learning Center
• Education Abroad
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Graduation and Commencement
• Information for Parents
• Student Organizations in Science
• Transfer or Change of Campus Students
• Undergraduate Research
• Commencement
• Interdisciplinary Research Centers
• Office for Innovation
• Funding for Research
• Information for Researchers
• Broader Impacts Resource Center
• Corporate Partners Program
• Empower community growth
• Undergraduate educational experience

Biology graduate student among finalists for Graduate School Three Minute Thesis competition

Eleven graduate students—including one from the Department of Biology—have been selected for the final round of the inaugural Penn State Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The final in-person round will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, both live-streamed online and in person at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. The event is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required.  

3MT is an academic research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, that is now hosted at more than 100 universities worldwide. The Graduate School is hosting Penn State’s 3MT competition in partnership with the Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Graduate School Alumni Society. 3MT offers graduate students the opportunity to hone their academic and research presentation skills and their ability to effectively explain their research to a general audience while competing for prize money. Each student is allowed three minutes and one presentation slide to convey their work.

Sixty students from 42 graduate programs submitted videos as part of the first round of the competition, and a group of volunteer community judges evaluated the video presentations.  

The first-place prize for Penn State’s 3MT competition is $1,000, and the second-place prize is $500. A third prize, People’s Choice, is $500 and is sponsored by the Graduate and Professional Student Association. The People’s Choice Award will be selected by in-person and virtual attendees at the end of the final round.  

Final-round participants include:  

• Deepit Bhatia , doctoral student in biology, Eberly College of Science, “What do we need to know to eliminate infectious diseases?”  
• Auja Bywater, doctoral student in food science and technology, College of Agricultural Sciences, “Improving Food Safety: Exploring Bacterial Diversity in Hydroponic Farming”  
• Jorge Diaz-Gutierrez, doctoral student in civil and environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, “Evaluating the Impacts of Variable Message Signs on Airport Curbside Performance Using Microsimulation”  
• Paul DiStefano, doctoral student in cognitive psychology, College of the Liberal Arts, “Is a Hotdog a Sandwich?: Measuring Overinclusive Thinking and Creativity”  
• Abigail Gancz, doctoral student in anthropology, College of the Liberal Arts, “Ancient Oral Microbiome Insights into Health & Disease”  
• Kaléi Kowalchik, doctoral student in nursing, Nese College of Nursing, “’It takes a special person’: Exploring Undergraduate Nursing Students - Emotional Needs while Providing End-of-Life Care”  
• Makenna Lenover, doctoral student in anthropology, College of the Liberal Arts, “Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Evolutionary Medicine Approach”
• Shabnam Rahimnezhad, doctoral student in mechanical engineering, College of Engineering, “NMES for Achilles Tendon Rupture (ATR)”
• Aditya Sapre, doctoral student in chemical engineering, College of Engineering, “High Throughput and Cost-Effective Ways of Protein Identification”
• Tahiya Tarannum, doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering, “Leveraging duckweed as a fertilizer”
• Yue Yan, doctoral student in biomedical engineering, College of Engineering, “NEW Personalized Immunotherapy for Bladder Cancer: Microbial Product Cocktails (MPC)”

The final-round judges include:  

• Bimal Balakrishnan, professor and associate dean for research, College of Arts and Architecture, Mississippi State University, and Penn State alumnus
• Kathy Drager, associate dean for research and graduate education, College of Health and Human Development, and professor of communication sciences and disorders  
• Esther Obonyo, associate professor of architectural engineering and director of Penn State’s Global Building Network  
• Priyanka Paul, doctoral student in human development and family studies

More information about the Three Minute Thesis competition can be found on the Graduate School website .  

• The Student Experience
• Financial Aid
• Degree Finder
• Undergraduate Arts & Sciences
• Departments and Programs
• Research, Scholarship & Creativity
• Centers & Institutes
• Geisel School of Medicine
• Guarini School of Graduate & Advanced Studies
• Thayer School of Engineering
• Tuck School of Business

Campus Life

• Diversity & Inclusion
• Athletics & Recreation
• Student Groups & Activities
• Residential Life

Psychological and Brain Sciences

Department of psychological and brain sciences.

• [email protected] Contact & Department Info Mail
• Undergraduate
• Major & Minor FAQs
• Honors FAQs
• Major and Minor Checklists
• Transfer and AP Credit
• Introductory
• Intermediate
• Independent Research
• Course Syllabi (ID login required)
• Request Form
• Spring 2024
• Research Areas
• Coursework and Curriculum
• Mentoring Toolkit
• Current Graduate Students
• Admissions FAQs
• Recent Dissertations
• Recent Research Findings
• Undergraduate Research
• Post-Doctoral Opportunities
• Participate in Experiments
• 2021 Honors Student Thesis Presentations (ID Login Required)
• 2022 Honors Student Thesis Presentations (ID Login Required)
• 2023 Honors Student Thesis Presentations (ID login required)
• Suggestions
• For Current PBS Community (ID Login Required)
• News & Events

Search form

Pbs graduate student miriam janssen's paper receives d.g. marquis behavioral neuroscience award, posted on march 12, 2024 by lisa d. aubrey.

Graduate student Miriam Janssen's paper, "The Motivational Role of the Ventral Striatum and Amygdala in Learning From Gains and Losses," was awarded the 2023 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award . This award is given each year to recognize the best paper published in Behavioral Neuroscience .

Miriam is a second-year student in the van der Meer Lab.