Department of Political Science
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE
HONORS PROGRAM 2014-2015
The Political Science Department invites current sophomore and junior majors with
excellent academic records to apply for admission to our Honors Program, to be taught
by Professor Dennis Chong (Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science).
Students admitted to the program write an Honors thesis on a political science topic of
their choice. Students who complete successfully the requirements of the program will
graduate with Honors in Political Science, a distinction that will be designated on their
transcripts. The best Honors theses will be considered for publication in the Department’s
Undergraduate Political Science Journal.
Admitted students enroll in a two-semester honors thesis seminar, Political Science 391
(Fall Semester) and 392 (Spring Semester). During the Fall semester, students will
participate in weekly meetings to discuss the elements of social science research and to
develop their research proposals; during the Spring semester, students undertake their
research and writing of the honors paper. Students will present their papers to the seminar
at the end of the Spring Semester.
Admission to the program is based on a competitive application process. Honors students
must have a minimum college and departmental GPA of 3.5.
To submit an application, send an electronic PDF or Word version of the following
three items to Ms. Fanny Cisneros fcisnero@dornsife.usc.edu no later than March
6, 2013.
1. Honors Application Form: To calculate your Political Science GPA, use all and
only Political Science courses.
2. A copy of your STARS Report: This must include grades through Fall Semester
2013.
3. A 1-2 page statement of purpose: The statement should explain why you wish to
enroll in the Honors program and the general topic that you are interested in
studying. While we expect your topic will undergo considerable development and
revision in the honors program, we want to know your general area of research
interest at this stage. Please briefly discuss your preparation for this project,
including relevant coursework (in political science and related fields). Please
also include any research experience, and relevant experiences in internship or
study abroad that have prepared you for the Honors program.
Honors Application Form
Application for the 2014-2015 Political Science Honors Program
Name_____________________________________________________________
______
POSC GPA___________OVERALL GPA___________ Email _____________
Phone________________________ Student ID#_________________
Mailing address_________________________________
Relevant coursework completed (list):
Subject area of the proposal:
2-3 sentence summary of your research question: