Honors in The Major
The Honors-in-the-Major Program in LLCL is available for the following major concentrations:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Majors who meet the following criteria will be eligible to pursue honors:
- Student has already completed at least 9 upper-division credits in the major, including FOL 3880, but fewer than 100 credits toward the degree
- Student has earned a minimum overall GPA of 3.2
- Student has earned a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 in the major
To be considered for admission to the Honors-in-the-Major Program in LLCL, students meeting all of the above criteria may submit: a) a one-page abstract (250 words) outlining the proposed thesis topic; b) an annotated bibliography of the five most relevant sources related to the topic; c) a one-page statement detailing why the student seeks honors in the major; d) the revised final paper of FOL 3880; e) a letter of support from at least one member of the department faculty with a terminal degree who will serve as a mentor; and f) a completed application form.
These documents must be submitted to the Department Chair, preferably no later than three semesters before the student expects to graduate.
ADMISSIONS TO HONORS-IN-THE-MAJOR PROGRAM:
- A committee will review the application and make a recommendation to admit and determine a plan of study.
- The student will receive confirmation in writing from the Department Chair.
STANDARDS FOR MAINTAINING ACTIVE STATUS:
- Student must maintain an overall 3.2 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the major.
- Student must complete all field distribution requirements of the respective major.
- Student must abide by the Code of Academic Integrity.
- Student may be placed on probation in the Honors in the major program for one semester if overall GPA and/or major GPA is not maintained; if required minimum GPA and/or major GPA is not reestablished after the probationary semester, the student will be dismissed from the program.
HONORS LEVEL ENRICHMENT:
Honors level enrichment is achieved through successful completion of any two of the following:
- Completion of an upper-division course enhanced by Academic Service-Learning linked to a community organization dealing, whenever possible, with the student’s research interest
- Participation on a study abroad program—in which the student is enrolled full-time and for the full duration of the academic term—with a follow-up public presentation of their experience also required
- Service to the faculty leader of our Global Connections Living Learning Community for 3 common-hour activities
- Service as an active officer in one of the Honor Societies
- Service as a tutor in the SI program (in one of the disciplines represented in our department)
- Participation in Florida Atlantic University’s Undergraduate Research Journal (e.g., service on board; paper submission)
CAPSTONE REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to honors level enrichment activities, successful completion of the following capstone elements is also required:
- Complete with a grade of B+ or higher an advanced seminar in the area of research interest of the student. This course will fulfill one of the three electives required of the major.
- Complete an honors thesis, supervised by the mentor and reviewed by a second reader (3 credits above the major’s requirements).
- Submit research findings to the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
An example of Honors in Linguistics work by Catrin Seepo and Paul Barile: