Sociology Honors and Honorary Society

Honors in Sociology
Admission to the Departmental Honors Program is by faculty approval, and the planning of this project must start during the second semester of your junior year.  The year-long senior honors thesis program consists of two independent study courses:  SOCI 397 and SOCI 398.  To be accepted to senior honors courses, students must have demonstrated academic excellence and must earn at least a 3.4 general GPA and a 3.6 Sociology GPA.  The project will be structured as a two-semester experience and it calls for research and data collection, which can focus either on primary or secondary data.

 

SELECTING AN ADVISOR AND A THESIS TOPIC 

• Identify topics that especially interest you.
• Thesis topics usually emerge from courses that you have taken.
• Since you will be working on this thesis for two semesters it is important to choose a topic that will hold your interest.
• Selecting your thesis advisor is an important decision that you will make during this process.  You may consider both the professor’s expertise and the potential for a close working relationship.  Perhaps there is a particular professor who you think you can rely on for help, encouragement, and support.  The thesis advisor acts as your guide through the process of completing an honors thesis.
• Make an appointment with the professor to discuss the possibility that person will serve as your thesis advisor.  Occasionally you may have to talk to several professors before finding the right faculty member who will direct your thesis.

Alpha Kappa Delta
The Department of Sociology at Case hosts the Iota chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. As a new member of AKD, you will become part of a tradition of recognizing outstanding Sociology students that began in 1920. Since that time, over 140,000 students and faculty have been inducted into the society, and membership is lifetime. The AKD society’s purpose is, according to the AKD Handbook, “To promote an interest in the study of Sociology, research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition”. Every year, during our annual Spring Honors AKD Initiation Ceremony, an average of 12 well-deserving Sociology students are inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta society. Candidates for membership must be Sociology majors with at least junior status, must have an overall grade point average of 3.3 or greater and have taken at least four courses in sociology at the host institution.  If you meet these criteria and wish to join, contact the faculty advisor.