Graduation with Distinction

Program Overview

This program is intended for the outstanding rising 4th year, Religious Studies major whose grade point average is at least 3.5 in Religious Studies (and 3.3 overall) and who has demonstrated the desire and talent to pursue independent research. The student, under the supervision of an advisor, will produce an honors thesis or project (e.g., documentary, play, exhibition) of exceptional quality. The main advisor is normally a faculty member in the department already familiar with the student’s work.

Procedure for Selection of Students

Religious Studies majors with a GPA of at least 3.5 in Religious Studies and 3.3 overall may apply for the "Graduation with Distinction" program. The required GPA must be maintained through graduation.

Applications will open March 1 and close April 1. Prospective candidates should:     

(1) Request access to an application form from Ms. Holly Rich via email (holly.larson@duke.edu), copying the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

(2) Compose a one-page summary of the proposed project and complete the form in consultation with a professor from the Religious Studies faculty. Normally, this professor will agree to serve as the main advisor for the thesis or project.

(3) Request two letters of recommendation, one from the main advisor and a second from a faculty member familiar with the candidate’s work. The second letter is normally written by a professor who will serve as an additional mentor for the duration of the project. Letters are not confidential but submitted to the student for inclusion in the application.

(4) Submit the application form, one-page summary, and two letters of recommendation via the application portal.

The Director of Undergraduate Studies will review the application and inform the applicant of the decision of the Faculty.

Project Procedures and Timeline

Honors students enroll in “Honors Research” (Religion 493 [Fall] and Religion 494 [Spring]) and receive two course credits upon successful completion of both courses. A draft of a significant part of the thesis or evidence of significant progress on a project must be presented to the advisor by the end of the first semester. Continuance in the program beyond this first term is contingent upon satisfactory progress assessed by the student's project advisor and secondary mentor at the end of the first semester. At the end of the second semester, candidates for distinction present their theses or projects to a committee made up of the project advisor, secondary mentor, and one other faculty member. The secondary mentor or third member of the review committee need not be a member of the Religious Studies faculty.

Honors students are expected to meet regularly (weekly or biweekly) with their main advisors throughout their 4th year. Normally reading and research are undertaken during the Fall semester and, if possible, the Summer before. (Summer funding is often available. For further information, interested students should be in touch with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.) The Spring semester is devoted to the completion and revision of the honors thesis or project. All committee members — the main advisor, the secondary mentor, and the third committee member — must be consulted before the final draft is submitted and the defense date set.

A final copy of the completed thesis or project must be submitted to each member of the committee by the end of March. An hour-long oral defense before the committee must take place before April 10.

Expected Product

The thesis should be an original research paper, usually 40-70 double-spaced pages in length, investigating a subject or problem in religious studies. The project should represent an equivalent amount of finished work and will have a written component if appropriate.

The student's work is the result of a full year of research and writing, so high expectations are justified. Honors theses or projects must be outstanding in each of the following aspects: 

  • Conception of a significant research problem or issue to be  addressed
  • Thoroughness of research and effective use of appropriate sources or  materials
  • Originality and interest
  • Excellence in organization, cogency of arguments or presentation, clarity of expression.

Evaluation Procedure 

Following the oral defense, the three committee members decide whether the thesis or project meets honors standards and merits distinction. The committee’s judgment will be based on the conduct of the research, the quality of the thesis or project, and the oral examination. The committee will award distinction at one of three levels: Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction. Students who have done satisfactory work but whose thesis or project does not merit distinction will receive graded credit for their work.