Honors in the Social Sciences The Honors in the Social Sciences (HSS)program encourages students to gain an in-depth understanding of social sciencetraditions and methods. It offers ambitious students a rigorous program ofstudy emphasizing theories and methods from several social scientificdisciplines, as well as the opportunity to work closely with HSS faculty todevelop unique multi-disciplinary honors projects. It is designed toparallel Honors in the Humanities (HTH) and Honors in Mathematical and Science(HMNS) programs. Students in the program complete a total of 21 credits, mostof which satisfy General Education and/or departmental major and minorrequirements. Students who complete all of the program requirements will have HSS recorded asa minor on their Queens College transcripts. Program Requirements: 1. Social Sciences and Society (HSS 200, 3 credits). Aninterdisciplinary seminar that is open to all students who are interested inthe HSS program. The course provides a foundation and an overview of theprogram, and introduces students to theories and methods from several socialscientific disciplines. The course emphasizes the diversity of approachesthrough which knowledge about "society" is produced in the academy today.Faculty from across the Division of Social Sciences give guest lectures. (3 Credits). 2. HSS Program Application FollowingHSS 200, students apply to gain official acceptance to the program by filling outan HSS program application. Application forms can be obtained from the HSSdirector. 3. Minor Concentration Form Studentswho are accepted into the HSS program must immediately complete a minorconcentration form. This form requires students to describe in detail theplan of study they will take to fulfill all HSS requirements and the theme theyhave chosen. It should be completed in consultation with the HSSdirector. Blank minor concentration forms are available in the HSS director'soffice. 4. Thematic courses Studentstake four thematically related courses - at the 200 level or above, with atleast one at or above the 300 level - for a total of 12 credits. These coursesshould be selected from at least two disciplines in the social sciences. Possible thematic tracks include: *Migration *Democracy, Collective Identity, and Citizenship *Public Policy *Society and Culture in Comparative Perspective * Race,Class, and Gender in Historical and Comparative Perspective It isalso possible for students to focus their studies more specifically withinthese broad themes. For example, a focus on Health and Society could be developedwithin the broader theme of Public Policy; or a focus on Religion could bedeveloped within Society and Culture in Comparative Perspective. Studentsshould select the thematic courses they wish to take in consultation with theHSS director. 5. Capstone Project Eachjunior or senior in the HSS Program will develop a significant piece of socialscience research on a topic related to his/her particular thematic track,resulting in a substantial capstone project. The mechanism for such research projectsis either the honors or capstone program of a department within the division ora 3-credit research-oriented independent study (HSS 350) that is supervised bythe HSS director. 6. Senior Research Colloquium (HSS 390, 3 Credits) Allstudents doing a capstone project also will enroll in HSS 390 Senior ResearchColloquium. In the colloquium students will present their work to faculty andstudent colleagues from across the Division of Social Sciences. FacultyMentors and Advisors: Asignificant part of HSS program is faculty mentorship and advisement. Theprogram director's duties involve meeting regularly with students. Students are also encouraged to work with a faculty advisor who will overseetheir senior capstone projects. Formore information about the program, please contact: Thomas Ort,Associate Professor, Department of History, and Director, Honors in the SocialSciences. Office: PH 352K Email: thomas.ort@qc.cuny.edu<mailto:thomas.ort@qc.cuny.edu> Phone: 718-997-5363