Biennially, Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors Committee unveils the Society’s Honors Study Program, an interdisciplinary study of a timely topic which is used by chapters and colleges as the basis for honors study in discussions, courses, and seminars. Phi Theta Kappa publishes the Honors Study Topic Program Guide which serves as a resource guide for exploring the Honors Study Topic.
Phi Theta Kappa chapters are encouraged to make the Honors Study Topic an integral part of chapter activities. Colleges and universities are also encouraged to use the Honors Study Topic as the foundation of an Honors Program or Honors Course. Phi Theta Kappa provides many resources to enhance exploration of the Topic. The Phi Theta Kappa International Convention features a keynote speaker and various Educational Forums devoted to the Topic. The Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Institute, called the “crown jewel” in the Society’s honors programming agenda, provides a week’s intensive study of the Topic through outstanding speakers, intimate group discussions, field trips, and experiential exercises. The annual Honors Satellite Seminar Series, co-produced by Phi Theta Kappa and the National Collegiate Honors Council, is a series of interactive seminars led by experts on Topic-related issues. The seminars are broadcast live via satellite to college campuses across the country each fall. And finally, Phi Theta Kappa partners with USA TODAY to sponsor an award competition that supports student interest in the Honors Study Topic. The Honors Case Study Challenge requires students to read the newspaper and conduct a Case Study on an issue related to the Honors Study Topic for an opportunity to win $500.
2008- 2010 Honors Study Topic [Return to Top]
The Honors Study Topic brings important, current issues to the fore and encourages Phi Theta Kappans to examine how these issues affect their lives. The topic selected biennially by the Honors Committee, is utilized and explored through programs such as the annual International Honors Institute, the Honors Satellite Seminar Series, and the Honors Case Study Challenge. The Honors Study Topic Program Guide is an invaluable tool for your Honors Study Topic explorations.
Since the concept of using the Honors Study Topic for campus forums began in 1968, the topic has been selected to meet the needs of our two-year institutions and their diverse communities. It is always timely, international in scope, issue-oriented, appropriate for interdisciplinary study, and amenable to study on even small college campuses with limited library and research facilities.
Phi Theta Kappa 2008-2010 Honors Study Topic:
The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges and Consequences
Phi Theta Kappa is dedicated to providing members opportunities for intellectual growth and challenge through the Society’s Honors Program. The central focus of the Honors Program is an Honors Study Topic that offers chapters a platform for examination of a timely, interdisciplinary subject of vital importance to the human experience. This Guide serves as an introduction to the 2008-2010 Honors Study Topic, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges and Consequences. Students are encouraged to use this Guide to examine the human drive for power and the multiple dimensions of power. Students should explore the dynamics of power on various levels: personal, interpersonal, societal, and global. Students should also seek to understand the sources of power, considering specifically money and wealth (gold), religion and spiritual strength (gods), and personal motivators (glory).
Hallmark Awards Program [Return to Top]
Mission Statement: The Hallmark Awards Program, which reflects the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta Kappa, serves to recognize superior individual and chapter achievement in Society programs. In this program, chapters compete against one another. Participation encourages excellence, reflects fairness, recognizes quality, and leads to enhanced student, advisor, and chapter development.
The Hallmark Awards Program is Phi Theta Kappa's competitive awards program that recognizes individuals, chapters and regions for excellence in the Society's Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.
For the 2009 Hallmark Awards Program, chapters may report their activities completed from January to December 2008. Entries for chapter and individual award categories must be received at Headquarters by February 1, 2009. Entries for administrator award categories must be received at Headquarters by December 7, 2008. The 2009 Hallmark Awards will be presented at Phi Theta Kappa’s International Convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas April 16-18, 2009.
Chapter Awards
The Hallmark Awards honor chapter accomplishments in the Society's Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership and Service. The Fellowship Hallmark should be an integral part of each Hallmark program, by strengthening the bonds among Phi Theta Kappa members and reaching out to others through chapter programming. The annual Hallmark Awards Program is open to all active Phi Theta Kappa chapters.
The Scholarship Hallmark Awards
Implementation of the current Honors Study Topic should be the primary focus of Scholarship Hallmark programs. Other activities may include tutoring, mentoring, and projects recognizing scholarship among students and/or faculty. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Scholarship Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (Honors Study Topic) and secondary focus (mentoring, tutoring, etc.) of their Scholarship Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Scholarship Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Leadership Hallmark Awards
Implementation of activities in which the chapter assumes leadership roles on campus, in the community and within Phi Theta Kappa should be the primary focus of Leadership Hallmark programs. Other activities may demonstrate how the chapter has promoted the development of leadership skills for members and others on campus and in the community. Phi Theta Kappa's Leadership Development Studies Program may be used as the basis for leadership development for the chapter and others. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Leadership Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (leadership roles) and the secondary focus (leadership skills development) of their Leadership Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Leadership Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Service Hallmark Awards
Implementation of the current International Service Program should be the primary focus of Service Hallmark programs. Other service activities involving your campus, your community and/or other chapters in or beyond your region may also be included. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Service Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (International Service Program) and the secondary focus (other service activities) of their Service Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Service Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
More international awards; http://www.ptk.org/hallmarks/awards.htm
2008 Honors Satellite Seminar Series [Return to Top]
How do choices, challenges, and consequences relate to the paradox of affluence? Subscribe to the 2008 Honors Seminar Series and find out!
The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and Phi Theta Kappa invite you to subscribe to the 2008 Honors Seminar Series, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences. This Series of four lectures, presented by renowned speakers will be broadcast via C-band and Ku-band satellite to college campuses across the nation and will also be accessible in the days following the live broadcast via online video downloads.
The Series will take place during the fall semester. Dates for the live 2008 seminars are listed below. All seminars will air at 6:30 pm Central Time.
Expanded speaker and subscription information coming soon!
1. Seminar 1: Tuesday, September 23
Doctors without Borders – North America by Dr. Richard Heinzl
2. Seminar 2: Tuesday, October 7
Archaeological Evidence for the Origins of Affluence by Dr. Michael Galaty
3. Seminar 3: Tuesday, October 21
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
4. Seminar 4: Tuesday, November 18
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (Tentative)
View 2007 Honors Satellite Seminar Series Highlights
For colleges/universities that are unable to receive the Series via satellite, the seminars will also be available online as a video download in the week following the live broadcast.
Honors Case Study Challenge [Return to Top]
Honors Case Study Challenge
Phi Theta Kappa chapters and individual members are invited to participate in the Honors Case Study Challenge. Take the challenge for an opportunity to WIN $500!
In an effort to encourage scholarship while promoting civic engagement among college students, USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa have issued the Honors Case Study Challenge. The Challenge provides members with the opportunity to implement the Honors Study Topic, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences, enhance their learning experiences through the use of newspapers, and stay abreast of current events.
The Challenge:
USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa challenge you to read the newspaper daily and conduct a Case Study based upon your reading.
The Rewards:
- Be one of four winners of $500!
- Be recognized on stage at the 2009 International Convention in Grapevine, TX!
- Have your winning entry published on the USA TODAY Collegiate Academic website!
The Rules:
Review the Official Case Study Challenge Rules and Regulations (i.e. the fine print).
- Read the print edition of USA TODAY between Monday, June 30, 2008 and Friday, February 27, 2009.
- Select four to five USA TODAY articles (written by USA TODAY reporters) on a single topic related to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences.
- Record the headline, byline, section name (News, Money, Life, Sports), publication date, and page number(s) for each article selected.
- Write a one-page (maximum 500 words) Case Study summary of the topic and why the topic was chosen.
- Write an essay (maximum 200 words) on the future implications of the Case Study topic.
- Pose three to five discussion questions related to the topic.
- Suggest up to six resources for additional study.
- Download and fill out the entry template.
- Submit your entry via e-mail to case-study-challenge@ptk.org by 5:00 pm CST, Friday, March 6, 2009.
Challenge ends March 6, 2009!
Meet the 2008 winners, and view their 2008 winning entries.
For more information about the Honors Case Study Challenge, contact Tria Cohen, Honors Programs Coordinator, at 601.984.3515.
Please email info@omegasigma.org if you are interesting in participating. Thank you.
Honors Institute [Return to Top]
The cornerstone of the study program is the highly acclaimed Honors Institute and Faculty Development Conference. The Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Institute, called the “crown jewel” in the Society’s honors programming agenda, provides a week’s intensive study of the Topic through outstanding speakers, intimate group discussions, field trips, and experiential exercises.
The Honors Institute is a week-long summer conference held for studying in depth the year’s Honors Study Topic. The Institute is generally held on a senior institution campus and attendance is limited to 350 participants. Following daily lectures, students meet in small group seminars led by a faculty member to discuss presentations and issues raised. Off-site cultural experiences constitute a major component of the program. Prior to the Institute, a Faculty Development Conference is held where 25 faculty members convene with noted scholars from diverse fields of study to examine the Honors Study Topic. These faculty members serve as seminar leaders for the Institute and are selected by application.
2008-09 International Honors Institute
San Francisco State University in San Francisco (California)
June 16-21, 2008
The 2008 International Honors Institute provided approximately 400 participants with a week of intensive study of the 2008-10 Honors Study Topic, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges and Consequences. Members, advisors and alumni heard presentations by experts on various aspects of the Honors Study Topic, enjoyed a trip to San Francisco, participated in experiential activities, and enjoyed time to discuss and reflect upon what they have learned in a small group setting.
Highlights of the Honors Institute Included:
Speaker Presentations
Throughout the week, internationally and regionally recognized scholars addressed the Honors Study Topic from various interdisciplinary perspectives.
Seminar Meetings
Each speaker’s presentation was followed by a Seminar Meeting, which is an intimate small-group discussion led by an experienced facilitator, or Faculty Scholar.
R & R Day
On Thursday, Phi Theta Kappa sponsored a field trip to San Francisco for all Honors Institute attendees. A train ticket and San Francisco Go Card was provided. No Honors Institute activities were planned, so participants had the opportunity to explore the local areas on their own.
Network with Scholars
The Honors Institute draws participants from across the nation and abroad. The Honors Institute offers several opportunities to get acquainted with your fellow Phi Theta Kappa members.
Chapter and Regional Officer Meeting
During this important meeting, chapter and regional officers participated in a leadership skills building activity and received important information about new Society programs and initiatives.
Kappa Klatch
Students and advisors were invited to give dramatic readings of poetry or prose related to the Honors Study Topic during Kappa Klatch.
