The sociology honors thesis is a 3-to-4 quarter independent research project. The program emphasizes the development of practical and intellectual skills to do sociological research. A fundamental aim is to equip students with the tools to carry out their own investigation. Writing an honors thesis is an excellent opportunity to apply sociology to answer students’ own questions about social life. It provides students with useful skills in formulating questions, drawing conclusions from their findings, and fine-tuning arguments; skills that are important in many professions or occupations. Your finished product will be a useful writing sample to submit to graduate or professional schools.
The next honors thesis program begins in Spring Quarter 2011. After acceptance into the honors program, students are required to take Sociology 191H, 198A, 198B, and 198C (honors thesis seminars) which may be applied as electives toward the major requirements.
The initial course (Soc. 191H) provides hands on training in methods of sociological research. The emphasis is on practical skills covering the sociological survey (questionnaire design, interviewing and data analysis), participant observation, secondary analysis of government data, the focus group and the literature survey. By the end of the first quarter, students will have identified a viable research topic. The following quarters are spent collecting data, presenting ideas during class seminars, conducting fieldwork, presenting draft theses at the honors research conference, and writing up the results. Departmental honors is awarded to those who complete the entire sequence of course work and submit an acceptable thesis.
What is AKD?
Description: The name, Alpha Kappa Delta, represents the first three letters of three Greek words: anthropon (mankind), katamanthanein (to investigate thoroughly or to conduct research) and diakonesein (for the purpose of service). The name, freely interpreted, signifies social research for the purpose of service.
Purpose: AKD seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition.
Foundation: AKD was founded at the University of Southern California in 1920 by Dr. Emory S. Bogardus and became affiliated with the Association of College Honor Societies in 1967.
Who are AKD members?
More than 92,000 lifetime members are affiliated with Alpha Kappa Delta. These are people with academic records showing excellence in sociology.
There are currently over 600 AKD chapters.
The Chapter here at UCLA is the Rho Chapter of California.
Why become a member?
AKD provides a variety of services to its members.
How does one become an AKD member?
Minimum requirements apply to all chapters of AKD.
Must be a declared Sociology major and:
How to apply:
Each Spring Quarter the Rho Chapter of California accepts membership applications along with the membership fee. Students who meet the above criteria are submitted as initiates for lifetime membership in AKD. Membership materials will be mailed during the Summer.
Deadline to apply: June 29, 2012.
Please contact the Undegraduate Counselor, Simbi Mahlanza (mahlanza@soc.ucla.edu), for additional information.