Graduation with Distinction is a term that accords recognition to students who have excelled in Women's Studies coursework and completed a thesis project. This process is separate from Latin Honors, which is awarded by Trinity College on the basis of Overall Grade Point Average. In addition to the prestige of this academic honor, students often pursue distinction for reasons related to their own academic pursuits. Writing a thesis can be:

• an excellent preparation for graduate school
• an opportunity to explore in greater depth a topic discovered through non-Women's Studies coursework
• a means for studying issues in women's studies that is not addressed through course offerings at Duke

Students pursuing distinction must have a GPA of at least 3.5 in Women’s Studies coursework at the beginning and end of the senior year. In the junior year, students must discuss their interest in pursuing distinction with the Director or Administrative Coordinator. Once approved to proceed, students select a primary thesis advisor (the primary reader/advisor must be a member of the Women's Studies core or associated faculty), who must indicate her/his willingness to advise the thesis. Students must also select a secondary reader. The Application (pdf), proposal and the consent letter should be submitted to the Women’s Studies Administrative Coordinator no later than the end of Fall Registration in the Junior year.

Distinction in Women’s Studies entails the production of a thesis based on independent archival, field, or library research. The work must incorporate a serious analysis that transcends the approaches of any single discipline and that draws on the theoretical and methodological issues covered in core Women's Studies classes. In April, students are required to present their work in a public forum to both the Women’s Studies and general university communities. These presentations are not intended to be a defense; they serve as a forum for student work to be recognized and for students to receive intellectual engagement with their scholarship. The Guide to Doing Distinction Presentations offers some tips.

The final thesis will be evaluated by the advisor, and a second reader chosen by the advisor. A minimum grade of A- is required for the paper to qualify for distinction (A+/highest distinction, A/high distinction, A-/distinction. To maintain consistency one reader from the Women's Studies core faculty (Kathy Rudy) will read all theses before a final grade is assessed. Students are required to turn in four (4) copies of the thesis, at least one copy must be on acid-free paper. Copies are distributed as follows: one to the advisor, one to the secondary reader, one copy for the Women's Studies Library on acid-free paper (unbound) and of course one copy for the student. Review the Document for Physical Standards as required by the University.

Students should plan to enroll in two consecutive independent studies with their advisor, WST 193 and WST 194 during their senior year. When possible, students should select additional courses that contribute to and complement their thesis study. Students are also encouraged to participate in a peer writing group that meets regularly to provide support and feedback while the thesis is in progress.

The schedule for the Women's Studies Honors with Distinction program for 2006-07 is below:

• December 15-Annotated Bibliography and rough, tentative outline due to primary reader/advisor.
  Annotated bibliography--a short paragraph on each book or article summarizing thesis and value to project.
• January 12--First Draft due to primary.
  The first draft can have some sections of the thesis still in outline form only, but at least 2/3 of the manuscript should be written out at this point. Incomplete footnotes and embedded questions acceptable.
• January 26--First draft returned to student.
  Between Jan 26 and March 9, students and primaries should be in good communication about the development of the thesis. Students should also contact secondary readers--at least once during this period-- with updates and relevant questions. (Primary readers should also contact secondaries at least once during this period with an initial evaluation of project.)
• March 9--Revised draft to be turned in to both primary and secondary readers.
  Revised draft means all sections are written out completely, no outlines are acceptable. All notes must be completed. Although primaries and secondaries will have feedback and ask for revisions relating to style, content, and argument, students should view this as a completed manuscript.
• March 16--Revised draft to be returned to students.
• March 30--Final draft to primary and secondary readers.
  Final draft means completed project. Readers may have feedback relating to grammar and typos only. There are no possibilities of major revisions from this draft.
• April 6--Decision to students, (readers return manuscript only if clerical errors are found)
• April 13--Students turn in one copy to Lillian Spiller in the Women's Studies office for Women's Studies Library on acid free paper.
• April 18, 4:00 pm, Parlors--Presentation and celebration.