UW Department of Anthropology Honors Program

The Honors Program in the Department of Anthropology allows undergraduates to pursue special research interests and provides excellent preparation for graduate school. Honors students design, conduct and report an original research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. 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.

Qualifications for Entry into the Honors Program

1. A minimum of two courses in anthropology, including at least one from BIO A 201, ARCHY 205, or any 200-level ANTH course; the equivalent is required for transfer students.
2. A cumulative 3.5 GPA in anthropology courses taken at UW.
3. A cumulative 3.3 GPA.
4. Transfer students must have completed at least one course in anthropology at UW with a grade of 3.5 or higher before entry into the Honors Program.
5. Major in Anthropology.

Requirements for Completion of the Honors Program

Three courses are required in the Honors Program:

ANTH 399 Honors Research Methods (5 credits)
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 advisor, complete a proposal for feasible, theoretically focused thesis project. Enrollment is restricted to students accepted in the Anthropology Honors Program.

ANTH 491 Honors Colloquium (2 credits, C/NC)
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.

ANTH/BIO A/ARCHY 466 Anthropology Honors Thesis (1-9 credits)
This course provides credit for students completing thesis research and writing. Students are required to complete a total of 9 to 18 credits of 466.

Additional requirements for completing the honors program are:

1. Complete all course requirements for the B.A. degree in anthropology
2. 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 meet this requirement.
3. Complete ANTH 399 with a grade of 3.3 or better.
4. Complete ANTH 491.
5. Complete an Honors thesis. Credit for research and writing is given in ANTH/ BIO A/ARCHY 466 (not to exceed 18 credits).
6. Present a summary of research in ANTH 491.
7. Maintain at least a cumulative 3.3 GPA, and a 3.5 GPA for all UW courses taken in or outside the Department of Anthropology as part of the requirements of the anthropology major and the Honors Degree in anthropology.

Applications for the Anthropology Honors Program are available from the Director of Student Services: Diane Guerra, Denny Hall 247, djguerra@u.washington.edu.