Honors Majors: Sociology, Social Psychology, and Criminal Justice
The purpose of the honors major in Sociology, Social Psychology, and Criminal Justice is to provide a more integrated and in-depth program for those who desire one, and to recognize special achievement. Successful completion of the honors major is noted on the transcript and in the program for the College of Liberal Arts Honors Convocation. Registration in the honors major requires a 3.5 grade point average in Sociology, Social Psychology, or Criminal Justice and a 3.0 college-wide average.
Sociology and Social Psychology
Sociology and Social Psychology honors majors write an honors paper and complete an extra course. The honors paper will be presented to interested students and faculty in an open meeting. A faculty member will direct the honors paper and a second member of the department will read it as well. The honors paper is ordinarily completed in conjunction with Sociol 478 or 479, Directed Study in Sociology (see above). The extra course may be either Sociol 478 or 479 or any one of the following:
• Any 400 level course in the Sociology Department (excluding internships)
• Sociol 340-Field Work Methods
• Sociol 350-Social Statistics (if not taken as part of the major)
• Any course in the graduate program in Applied Sociology (with the approval of the Director of the graduate program).
• Any 400 level course in another social science department (anthropology, economics, political science, psychology) or history.
• Criminal Justice. Criminal Justice students wishing to complete the major with honors are required to take either Sociol 478 or Sociol 479, Directed Study in Sociology, in which they will develop and complete a paper that will be presented to Criminal Justice faculty and other students in an open forum or class. See guidelines above for developing a proposal for Sociol 478/479.
Anyone interested in the honors major should fill out an application available in the Sociology Department office and then meet with the honors advisor, whose name is available in the office.
Alpha Kappa Delta - The Sociology Honor Society
Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the International Sociology Honor Society, was begun in 1920. The chapter at UMB is one of 490 worldwide chapters of AKD.
AKD Membership will provide students with a chance to:
- develop stronger social networks among the Sociology Department’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni;
- participate in a formal induction/awards ceremony;
- obtain a free subscription to the AKD journal;
- build your resume;
- increase faculty awareness of your objectives and goals following graduation;
- take advantage of benefits offered by AKD such as opportunities for the publication of papers and conference travel funding.
Undergraduate and graduate students with a grade point average of 3.0 both in Sociology and overall are eligible for admission to AKD. Sociology professors will make announcements once a year early in the spring semester to inform students of application and induction procedures.Sign-up sheets will be circulated in classes at that time. You may also request an application form in the Department office (W-4-012).
A one-time fee of $40 pays for membership certification and a year’s subscription to the journal Sociological Inquiry.
The induction ceremony, which is usually held at the end of the spring semester and combined with a Graduation Dinner, is scheduled for May 27, 2008, for the 2007-8 academic year.
For further online information about the history, benefits and programs of Alpha Kappa Delta, please visit its home page by clicking here. For further inquiries from a local AKD chapter faculty representative contact mohammad.tamdgidi@umb.edu.
Graduate Sociology Student Association (GSSA)
The Graduate Sociology Student Association (GSSA) works with the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) to provide support and to assist students in achieving academic success. Please visit the homepage of GSSA for more information.