Alan R. Bennett Honors Program
The Alan R. Bennett Honors Program provides an intellectually stimulating and challenging experience for highly-motivated students majoring in political science.
The honors program is designed to enhance students’ understanding of political processes and choices through advanced course work, in-depth research and analytical opportunities, and professional development activities.
It also offers structured thesis support, learning enrichment programming, and the opportunity to work closely with individual faculty members to develop the knowledge and skills required of advanced independent social science research.
Some of the enrichment and professional development opportunities include:
- Research assistantships with faculty members.
- Professional conference field trips.
- Support for poster session presentations.
Contact the Director
For more information about the POLS honors program and application process, email director Matthew Singer, Alan R. Bennett Honors Professor of Political Science.
For regular updates from the program, follow us on Facebook.
Admissions
The Alan R. Bennett Honors Program welcomes applications from qualified students currently enrolled in their first, second, or third year at UConn who would like to meet the academic challenges and intellectual rigor offered by our program.
How to Apply
Current Political Science Majors
- Visit the University Honors Program admissions page to review admissions requirements and deadlines.
- Determine your class status, and ensure you have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4.
- Rising sophomores must have three years remaining in their program of study, and at least 24 credits and two semesters completed.
- Rising juniors must have two years remaining in their program of study, and at least 54 credits and four semesters completed.
- Current juniors must have more than one year remaining in their program of study, and at least 54 credits and four semesters completed.
- In order to finish all necessary classes before graduation, current juniors should register for and complete POLS honors courses in the semester they are applying for the honors program.
- You should also make an appointment with the political science honors program director before starting the application to ensure that you can meet all the requirements.
- Apply to the program using the following guidelines:
- Rising sophomores should apply directly to the University Honors Program. Forms are available on their website. You do not need to fill out an Honors Preliminary Plan of Study, nor are you required to contact the political science honors program director about your application.
- Rising and current juniors should apply directly to the University Honors Program, but part of that process requires filling out an Honors Preliminary Plan of Study. Please email the political science honors program director for assistance in filling out this form correctly.
Non-Majors Already in Honors
If you have been admitted to the UConn Honors Program but have not declared political science as your major, please do so by filling out the Online Program Change form. Make sure to answer “yes” to the question, “Are you currently in the honors program?” You will then be assigned a political science honors advisor.
Requirements
Political Science-Specific Program Requirements
The Department of Political Science follows all UConn Honors Program requirements for completing the Honors Scholar component of the University Honors Laureate and for graduating as an Honors Scholar in the major. However, political science students have specific ways to fulfill these requirements:
| Honors Program Requirements | POLS Honors Program Requirements |
|---|---|
| 12 honors credits in the major or a related field at the 2000 level or above | 15 honors credits in POLS courses |
| 3 credits toward a supervised honors thesis/project | 6 credits toward a supervised honors thesis/project |
| Earn a B- or above in these credits | Earn a B- or above in these credits |
| 3 honors credits in the major or a related field at any level | N/A |
| Engagement in the major | Engagement in the major |
| Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or above | Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or above |
| Submit a thesis/project | Submit a thesis/project |
Thesis/Project Requirement Options
You can satisfy the thesis/project requirement in one of two equally rigorous and intellectually stimulating ways. Both options are academically demanding and provide a challenging and rewarding experience along with six POLS honors credits. The choice between them depends on your situation and what you would like to get out of your honors experience.
- Engage in original research under the close supervision of a faculty thesis advisor and the political science honors program director.
- Explore subject areas of your choice through graduate-level coursework with a variety of faculty members.
Thesis Option
A thesis involves the research and writing of a lengthy paper in which you develop an original argument within the context of the scholarly literature about your topic. During your fourth year you will learn how to correctly conduct social scientific research, collect data, develop a literature review and research design, and write drafts of your thesis.
There is no set page limit for a thesis; it can range from 40 to 100 pages depending on the topic, argument, research design, and preferences of your thesis advisor.
- The thesis option fulfills your writing in the major requirement and provides an additional three POLS (but not honors) credits.
- Both options are good preparation for graduate or law school, but in different ways. A thesis prepares you for the rigors and expectations of independent research. Doing well in either track will look good on graduate or law school applications.
- The thesis provides an opportunity for one-on-one interaction with faculty members and allows you to devote your full attention to a topic, becoming an expert on it.
Graduate Courses Option
Graduate courses have a smaller class size than undergraduate courses and the discourse in a graduate course will be at an advanced analytical level. The expectations for writing quality and presentation are also advanced and undergraduates are expected to perform at the level designated by the instructor. At the end of your fourth year you will hand in a final paper from each of your courses which will, collectively, constitute your thesis/project.
- Graduate coursework prepares you for the rigors and expectations of coursework at an advanced, professional level.
- Graduate coursework also provides the potential to learn from two different political science faculty members with expertise in two different topics, thus allowing for variation of interest.
- Graduate courses that count toward the honors requirement may not be used toward a graduate degree.
Earning Honors Credits
Students can earn honors credits in political science in three ways. A grade of at least a B- must be earned in a class in order for it to count as honors credit.
Classes and Conversions
Option One: Enrolling in Sections Designated as Honors Sections
The Department of Political Science tries to offer honors sections of courses at the 1000 level each year, and honors-designated courses at the 2000 level or above each semester.
Option Two: Converting a Non-Honors Class to an Honors Class
We encourage students to try first to enroll in one of the department’s designated honors sections. However, should a conversion be necessary, students should contact individual professors at the start of the semester to discuss whether they’re open to allowing a conversion of a class for honors credit, and their expectations for a conversion.
Converting a Study Abroad Course
To ensure that you meet the Honors Program’s requirement of completing six honors credits every year, the best option for students who will be studying abroad is to plan ahead and take six honors credits in the semester that they are on campus. However, using the conversion option, it’s possible to obtain POLS honors credit for a relevant study abroad course not already designated for honors credit. It requires advanced preparation on the part of the student and approval from the political science honors program director.
Students might consider the Honors Congressional Internship Program in Washington, D.C. as a study away experience. Review the Honors Program website for information, application materials, and timelines. Questions should be directed to the UConn Honors Program.
Option Three: Completing a Graduate Seminar
Registration in a graduate course requires permission from the course instructor. Graduate courses that count toward honors requirements may not be used toward a graduate degree.
Events and Programming
The Alan R. Bennett Honors Program offers a number of enrichment and professional development opportunities to enhance the intellectual experience of its students. Many of these events and opportunities are made possible through the generosity of UConn alumnus Alan R. Bennett.
Events
Academic Conference Field Trip
The Alan R. Bennett Honors Program sponsors a fully-funded, day-long field trip for students to attend the Northeast Political Science Association Annual Conference, the International Studies Association-Northeast Annual Conference, or another conference.
Research Excellence in Political Science (REPS) Poster Session and Reception
Every spring the POLS honors program hosts a poster session and reception to celebrate the research projects undertaken by its students that year. Luncheons with visiting speakers related to political science are sponsored throughout the academic year and allow students to have one-on-one conversations with visiting professors, professionals, and alumni. Invitation-only receptions with visiting experts are also organized.
Thesis Workshop Dinner
The political science honors program director hosts a working dinner annually in late spring for all students who intend to write an honors thesis in order to review thesis expectations, scholarly literature, and methodology.
Frontiers in Undergraduate Research
Frontiers in Undergraduate Research poster exhibitions provide opportunities for UConn’s talented undergraduate researchers to share their work with the university community. Any undergraduate student may present their research or creative work at a Frontiers poster exhibition. Frontiers events are occasions to celebrate the efforts of student researchers and their dedicated mentors.
Programs
Bennett Research Assistant (RA) Program
This program allows faculty members to hire a political science honors student to assist them with a research project.
Funding for Printing Frontiers and REPS Posters
All political science honors thesis students are required to present their research at the Frontiers in Undergraduate Research, and Research Excellence in Political Science (REPS) poster sessions in April. The cost of professionally printing the posters via UConn’s Document Production Center is covered with Bennett funds.
Travel Funding for Conference Presentations
Travel funds to present at a conference or to conduct research are available through the Bennett funds on a case-by-case basis, as funding allows. These funds are intended to supplement travel and research funding from other sources.
Bennett Honors Thesis Writing Prize
This end-of-academic-year award is given annually to the political science honors student who writes the best thesis.
George and Joan Cole Honors Thesis Research Grant
This grant provides limited funding for students working on their honors thesis projects.