Honors Information for 2008-2010 Catalog
The honors programs in Asian Studies and Asian Cultures and Languages provide ambitious students with an opportunity to do independent research in the form of a substantial thesis.
Please note that there are different requirements for the 2008-2010 catalog than for previous catalogs. Students should be sure to read the requirements for their respective catalogs
If you are in the 2006-2008 catalog, please see the honors information for the 2006-2008 catalog.
Application Process
Since the 2008-2010 catalog requires a three-semester sequence, students should apply to the honors program before the spring semester of their junior year.
Exceptions to allow a student to complete the honors sequence in two semesters rather than three will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students seeking such an exception should contact the Academic Advisor.
To qualify, applicants must supply the honors advisor with evidence of the following:
- Upper-division standing at UT Austin
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 for UT Austin and 3.5 for Asian Studies
- Completion of a minimum of 6 semester hours in Asian Studies
- Strong research and writing skills
- Completed Honors Program Application
Once admitted to the honors program, students should also submit a completed Honors Contract to Josh Gilliland in WCH 4.116.
Graduation with Honors
To graduate with honors, qualified students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Completion of at least 60 semester hours in residence at UT. Up to thirty hours must be in Asian Studies, depending on major and catalog.
- A grade of B or higher for ANS 378
- A grade of A in ANS 679HA and 679HB (two-semester honors thesis tutorial course)
- A minimum UT Austin GPA of 3.0 and a 3.5 or higher GPA in the student's Asian Studies or Asian Cultures and Languages major'
The Honors Sequence
Although exceptions are occasionally made on a case-by-case basis, in general all qualified honors students are required to take ANS 378 (Senior Seminar) followed by the two-semester ANS 679HA and ANS 679HB sequence. The Senior Seminar, which includes both majors and honors students, focuses on the development of advanced research and writing skills. While the Senior Seminar will most likely not touch directly on their proposed honors topics, honors students are encouraged to begin work on their research during this semester.
In ANS 679HA and 679HB, honors students work on their research and theses with their appointed advisors. Students should plan on finishing the bulk of their research during 679HA, they are expected to submit a 5-page prospectus (plus bibliography) to their advisor at the beginning of 679HB. Once the prospectus is approved, students spend the remainder of the 679HB semester completing their research and writing the thesis. The thesis is due on the last class day of the semester in which students enroll in ANS 679HB.
Honors Thesis
Writing the thesis, which is both longer (minimum 40 pages) and more intellectually sophisticated than other college writing assignments, is for most honors students the most fulfilling experience of their undergraduate careers. The completed thesis will be read by the advisor and a second reader; the latter may, if necessary, be based in another department. (Students and their advisors should select their second readers as early in their honors sequence as possible.) The two readers will assess the thesis with the following criteria in mind: 1) quality of argument; 2) breadth of research in primary and secondary sources; 3) quality of writing and organization; and 4) conformity with current rules of proper academic conduct. A completed and bound copy of the thesis must be submitted to the department by the last class day of the semester in which the thesis was written.
For detailed information on writing honors theses, students are encouraged to consult the College of Liberal Arts’ “Senior Thesis Manual: Departmental Honors Programs.” A copy can be obtained from Asian Studies honors director and the administrative undergraduate advisor. Students may also download the PDF.
Students are encouraged to consult the Writing & Research page of the departmental website for resources on the writing and research processes.
