15. Scholarship is of worth chiefly when it is productive, when the scholar not merely receives or acquires, but gives. ~ T. Roosevelt, The Outlook , 1/13/12
Every two years, the Honors Program Committee, a group of advisors and HQ staff members, develops Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors Study Topic. Why an Honors Study Topic? Fulfill mission Learn for learning’s sake Broaden horizons Learn beyond classroom Lifelong learning Honors in Action 7 “I”s and an “A”: Interesting (relevant) In the News (timely) Interdisciplinary International Issue-Oriented Important (Consequential) Intellectual Action-Oriented The current Honors Study Topic will serve as the cornerstone of Phi Theta Kappa programming beginning January 1, 2010 and will run through December 31, 2011.
By democratization, we mean relating to, or appealing to, or available to the broad masses of the people – the third definition listed by Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Throughout history, there have been people, inventions, and societies/organizations that have increased democratic access to information. Increased access or appeal can be a powerful tool for leaders, but there is both peril and promise inherent in the democratization of information, depending on how those powerful tools are utilized.
The Honors Study Topic is issue-oriented. For the 2010/2011 Honors Study Topic, there are 10 issues. We invite you to examine in depth one or more of these issues during the coming year.
Study Questions initiate interdisciplinary, scholarly inquiry and research into the democratization of information. Honors in Action project descriptions illustrate the learning and growth opportunities in all four of the Society's Hallmarks. These examples may be used "as is" OR can be the springboard for other Honors in Action project ideas. Bibliography is a sampling of books and articles to promote further research of the issue. More resources are available online. Timeline is the description of select historical events. Also, see the journaling section of the Honors Program Guide for suggestions on ways you can keep up with your chapter’s activities during the year. Journaling is also a way to fulfill the 3 Star requirement of keeping a record of your chapter’s history and activities.
Here are the qualities to keep in mind when developing Honors in Action projects: Academic Investigation Scholarly Exploration Resourcefulness Extensive and Effective Planning Collaboration with chapter members, college, community, and Phi Theta Kappa members beyond your chapter or region Heightened awareness of self and community in relation to global issues.
Here are the steps to use when developing an Honors in Action project: Determine which Issue in the Honors Program Guide you plan to investigate. Research the Issue. Analyze your research. From the analysis of your research, determine a need or needs in your community. Determine what leadership development the chapter needs to complete the project. Determine what leadership roles you plan to take to complete the project. What action(s) will you take to address the need you have determined? With whom will you collaborate?
The Five Star Chapter Development Plan is a road map to help you plan your year with intention and offers a non-competitive way for your chapter to earn international recognition at your annual Regional Convention. Two Star Level: At least two chapter members research one issue/study question of the Honors Program Guide, “The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Promise.” Three Star Level : Based on chapter’s research, plan an Honors in Action project that includes leadership and service components. Map out the specific leadership roles and actions the project requires. Also determine leadership development opportunities that would benefit the participants. Determine the expert resources (individuals and/or organizations, businesses, etc.) for the chapter to coordinate with for the greatest impact. Work with another campus or community organization to implement the Honors in Action project. Chapter chronicles its activities for historical purposes. Examples include keeping an Honors in Action journal, maintaining a notebook of chapter meeting minutes and/or newsletters, saving copies of Hallmark Awards entries, etc. Four Star Level: Chapter shares their Honors in Action research with the campus or community (e.g., hosts an event that includes a formal presentation, writes an article for a publication, creates a display in the library or other resource center, etc.) Five Star Level: Chapter enters all chapter categories and at least one individual category in the 2010 Hallmark Awards. Visit www.ptk.org/hallmarks for a full list of categories, entry requirements, etc. The annual Hallmark Awards offers an opportunity for chapter members to reflect on their collective year, what they learned and how they grew as scholars and leaders who served their community. There are two awards directly associated with the 2010/2011 Honors Study Topic: Honors in Action Project Awards Top 50 Projects will receive awards at the 2011 Convention in Seattle Judged on: Academic rigor of research Resourcefulness Leadership Development Persistence Service/Action Cooperative Effort/Outreach Impact Presentation of entry 2) Issues Awards Recognize as many as 3 awards in each of the 10 issues from the Honors Program Guide (up to 30 Total awards) same judging criteria as HiA Project Awards
To better reflect Honors in Action which means a project is based on the Honors Study Topic and includes all four Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship, chapters will no longer submit separate entries for the Hallmarks. Judging Criteria: Academic Rigor of Research Resourcefulness Leadership Development Service/Action Persistence Cooperative Effort/Outreach Impact Presentation Total: 115 Points Chapters must enter both the Honors in Action Award and College Project Award to be considered for the Distinguished Chapter Award category. Both scores are averaged to determine the Top 100 Chapters. The top 10% will be recognized as Distinguished Chapters… which means the number of Distinguished Chapters can grow as the number of participating chapters increases. Those who reach the Distinguished Chapter status for three or more consecutive years will be recognized with the Continued Excellence Award for Chapters. Finally, the Top 10 Chapters will be recognized on stage at Convention culminating with the announcement of the Most Distinguished Chapter. The Honors in Action Award will allow chapters to report on 1 Honors in Action Project based on an issue from the Honors Program Guide. The College Project Award will give greater emphasis to the Five Star Chapter Development Plan by allowing chapters to submit entries based on the College Project required at the Three Star Level. It will increase college administrative support because the project is done in conjunction with the college administration. It will also allow chapters who may not be at the Four or Five Star Level to compete for a chapter award. Benefits of New Chapter Awards Integrates Hallmarks, no longer treated separately Simplifies Phi Theta Kappa programming for all (no more learning the primary and secondary focus of each Hallmark, etc.) Clarifies our mission as an honor society, not a service organization Encourages fewer projects with more substance Decreases number of chapter award entries from three to two which means less work for our chapters Reporting on only ONE Honors in Action project and ONE College Project allows time for chapters to focus on membership recruitment and programming more equally Increases number of awards for chapters while ensuring the best of the best are recognized. Chapters will submit ONE entry for the Honors in Action Award. Headquarters will provide two types of recognition for this category: First, the top 50 entries will be awarded no matter what issue they address. But to encourage greater diversity of issues in the award entries, Phi Theta Kappa will also select as many as 3 entries per Issue in the Honors Program Guide.
College Administrator Awards are due at HQ by December 1, 2010. All other categories are due at HQ by Wednesday, February 2, 2011. More information available at www.ptk.org/hallmarks. Kimberly Wooten Key Services Analyst [email_address] 601.984.3504
Want to learn more about the 2010/2011 Honors Study Topic and Honors in Action? Please join us in Orlando April 8-10 for the 2010 Convention, the 2010 Honors Institute June 14-18 at Chapman University in Orange, California, and for the 2010 Honors Seminars.
Every two years, the Honors Program Committee, a group of advisors and HQ staff members, develops Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors Study Topic. Why an Honors Study Topic? Fulfill mission Learn for learning’s sake Broaden horizons Learn beyond classroom Lifelong learning Honors in Action 7 “I”s and an “A”: Interesting (relevant) In the News (timely) Interdisciplinary International Issue-Oriented Important (Consequential) Intellectual Action-Oriented The current Honors Study Topic will serve as the cornerstone of Phi Theta Kappa programming beginning January 1, 2010 and will run through December 31, 2011.
Judging will be based on these traits. The full rubrics are available online at www.ptk.org/hallmarks. Academic Rigor of Research Resourcefulness Leadership Development Service/Action Persistence Cooperative Effort/Outreach Impact Presentation Total: 115 Points
Setting objectives is another way of saying setting goals. It’s very important to describe what your chapter wanted to accomplish as well as HOW your chapter decided what you wanted to accomplish.
The Leadership Hallmark is two-fold: taking on leadership roles/positions (remember, you can be a leader without a formal title) AND seeking out ways to strengthen your leadership skills. Quantitative outcomes means those things that can be measured or counted such as how many people participated, fundraising amounts, etc. Qualitative outcomes are more observational evidence about the quality of the project, like lessons learned, feedback/quotes from the participants, how the Honors in Action Project made a difference, etc.
