New Year Brings New Honors Study Topic
Phi Theta Kappa's new Honors Study Topic, The Democratization of Information:
Power, Peril, and Promise, was launched in January and will be used
as the focus of chapter activities through December 2011.
The
new schedule, following the calendar year rather than extending from Convention
to Convention, was adapted after numerous requests from advisors and chapter
leaders, said Dean of Academic Affairs and Honors Programs Susan Edwards.
The
new Honors
Program Guide is now available on the Phi Theta Kappa website.
Printed Guides for advisors and chapter presidents have been sent to chapters,
along with member benefit brochures, posters and other updated chapter
materials.
The Guide outlines ways that chapters may use the
Topic and the 10 issues to develop and carry out Honors in Action projects,
which combine the Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.
Chapters will select an issue, undertake scholarly research to learn more,
and use leadership skills to develop a plan of action to make a difference.
Through Honors in Action, members will "Learn, Lead and Serve."
Because
all 10 issues include a Service opportunity, the "action" component of
Honors in Action, Phi Theta Kappa no longer has a designated International
Service Program. Instead of focusing their Service initiatives on only
one area, chapters' Service efforts will stem from their investigation
of the Honors Study Topic and will be part of their Honors in Action program.
The
10 issues related to "The Democratization of Information" that are addressed
in the Guide include:
1. Definition
2. Technology
3.
Individual and Community
4. Language/Communication
5. Education
6.
Economy and Business
7. Government and Public Policy
8. The
Arts
9. Science
10. History/Future
