Requirements for Honors
In keeping with College policy, candidates for honors in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies must have and maintain a cumulative average of 3.00 and an average of 3.20 in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies courses. Candidates must complete a minimum of 6 courses that count towards WGSS prior to registration in Thesis.
WGSS Honors for double (AB) majors and dual degree (AB + BS) majors
Joint honors thesis combining WGSS with another major are common. This involves enrolling in one thesis course in WGSS and another in your second major. Joint theses sometime have co-advisors.
Non-Majors Can Petition to Do an Honors Thesis in WGS
Students who are not WGSS majors but wish to do honors in WGSS can petition the Academic Progress Committee. At least six courses, exclusive of Thesis, are required; four of the six must be at or above the 200 level.
Honor Thesis Procedures
- The honors process should be initiated by an student in consultation with their faculty advisor by the conclusion of their junior year.
- The thesis requires 2 semesters of work and students typically register for WGS 495: Thesis (Fall) and WGS 496: Thesis (Spring).
- The thesis committee is comprised of three faculty members: the faculty adviser, another WGSS faculty member, and a professor from an outside department. WGSS faculty can be selected from the WGSS Faculty List.
- At the conclusion of WGS 495 in Fall, candidates will present and defend their work-in-progress to the committee. “A” level work is required for continuation to a second semester of honors work. If continuation is not approved, the student receives credit for WGS 391 Independent Study.
- Copies of a final draft of the thesis must be available to the committee for review by the end of April.
- On completion of WGS 496 in spring, the candidate will present and defend their thesis to the committee. The defense must take place before or during final exam week. Students who do not pass receive credit for WGS 391 Independent Study.