Honors Program

Professor Hedwig Lee pictured with an honors student

Overview

Honors students in sociology conduct original research that results in substantial research papers. The program emphasizes the non-linear process of research: translating abstract interests into answerable sociological questions, situating new theoretically informed queries into existing literature, selecting research methods to analyze data, applying for institutional review board (IRB) approval, and communicating empirical results to the public.  

Program Components

The first component is a year-long honors seminar (SOCIOL 495S and 496S) where students learn the craft of sociological research and create an intellectual community of colleagues to champion their independent work. In supportive seminars facilitated by the honors program director, students in the fall refine research questions, write literature reviews, and work with the IRB on plans for data collection and analyses.  In spring workshops, students enhance their abilities to gather, model, and present evidence from their qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research projects.

Second, students regularly receive guidance outside of the seminar from their selected mentors, faculty who have substantive or methodological expertise relevant to thesis projects.  Honors students meet at least monthly with their thesis adviser.  These regular check-ins provide opportunities to troubleshoot unexpected roadblocks, receive helpful feedback on multiple thesis drafts, and sustain momentum by breaking the year-long process into manageable milestones. 

The third program component is a spring honors symposium where students share their findings via posters and conversations with friends, family, and other members of the Duke Community. This April event is both a valuable intellectual experience and a celebration of students' hard work. 

Photo of honors students and guest at end of semester honors symposium presenting their poster.

Honors Theses Awards

Students who conduct rigorous research and write a strong thesis will graduate in sociology with distinction. Duke sociology faculty serving on the Undergraduate Committee read and evaluate theses.  The best thesis annually is awarded the Ida Harper Simpson Award for Research Excellence at commencement.  The senior who produces the best honors poster receives the Jaya Thomas Sastry Award. The best medical sociology paper receives the Linda K. George Award for Excellence in the Scholarship of Health and Society.

Eligibility

To enroll in the sociology honors program students must:

  • Be sociology majors with at least a 3.5 in sociology courses.
  • Have completed classes in social science research methods and statistics.
  • Be a senior at time of enrollment.
  • Receive strong endorsement from at least one faculty member.
  • Enroll in and attend the weekly honors seminars in the fall (SOCIOL 495S) and spring (SOCIOL 496S).
  • Write a single thesis in sociology.

Enrollment Process

  1. Second-semester juniors meeting the above criteria should contact Professor Hamil (jenifer.hamil@duke.edu). Schedule an appointment to express interest, ask questions, and share initial research ideas.
  2. Complete the Sociology Honors Thesis application and email to Dr. Hamil by the first Monday in August.
  3. Amanda Archibald will email you a PIN to register for SOCIOL 495S.
  4. Enroll by the end of drop/add registration period.