Honors Program

The Political Science Department's honors program provides additional learning options for highly motivated students with high academic standing. It is a particualrly valuable experience for individuals planning to attend law school or continue their political science studies at the graduate level. Each student in the program is provided special opportunities to enroll in advanced seminars designed for honors candidates, write an honors thesis with a Political Science faculty member of their choosing, and participate in independent readings modeled on the tutorial system of Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Beginning in Fall 2009, the Honors Program will run two seminars, one in the Fall and one in the Spring.  Students should seek faculty sponsorship for their Honors Thesis only.

All students with a "B" average (3.0) overall and in Political Science are encouraged to contact a Political Science professor about admission to the honors program.

Awards and Scholarships

• The Robert Packard Service Award is presented to the graduating political science student who, in the estimation of the faculty, has contributed the most to Rutgers-Camden and the outside community.

• The Jack Marvin Weiner Memorial Prizes and Scholarhship. The Department of Political Science presents annual Weiner Awards to outstanding students. Two go to juniors who participate in the Honors Program. They receive scholarships for their senior year on the basis of excellence, which is not determined solely by GPA's. One award goes to the graduating major who has written the best honors thesis. It must be completed during the previous calendar year or by February 1st of the year in which the award is given. One award goes to the graduating major with the highest GPA. If this is the same person who writes the best thesis, the award is given to the graduating major with the second highest GPA. One award goes to the graduating major who has combined exceptional accomplishments in public service (defined as contributions to the department, the campus, or the wider community) with solid academic achievement.