You've Got the Power!
At the 2006 International Convention in Seattle, Washington, Phi Theta Kappa launched its new, two-year Honors Study Topic, Gold, Gods, and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power.
The Honors Study Topic is the primary focus of the Scholarship Hallmark and should be the foundation of each chapter's honors program. But the Honors Study Topic is far more than just another program for participation. It challenges us to think critically, to learn, to seek, and to discover new worlds of ideas. It will require us to look critically at ourselves, our peers, and our leaders. It will force us to seek answers from antiquity and to plan for the future. It will lead us to our nation's capital and around the world.
In the title of the new Honors Study Topic, Gold represents money, wealth, and other resources. Gods represents deities, religions, and spiritual strength. Glory represents pride, honor, fame, and even nationalism. These are the forces that drive individuals and nations to seek power and the forces that provide access to power. These are the forces for which wars are fought and nations are created.
We will examine these forces at work in our personal lives, in our relationships with others, and in our societies. And hopefully, we will apply what we learn about ourselves and what we learn from history toward a better understanding of the current dynamics of power in our increasingly global environment.
Implementing the TopicChapters across the country are not only studying power, they are making a powerful impact on their campuses and in their communities. Visit www.ptk.org/honors/guide for more powerful implementation ideas!
The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at South Puget Sound Community College in Washington hopes to establish a college and community book club that will meet twice each quarter. The club will select books that complement a planned speaker series on the topic.
Members at Butte College in California plan to explore the rich history of their town, Oroville (meaning "Gold Town"), which was created as a result of the 1849 California Gold Rush. They are sponsoring an international essay contest on how the California Gold Rush of 1849 impacted the global, national, and/or regional dynamics of power. They will be offering cash prizes to the authors of the three best essays.
In Alabama, chapter members at Jefferson State Community College plan to sponsor a formal debate on the war in Iraq. Prominent local experts will debate the issue and take questions from the audience.
The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Houston Community College in Texas is planning to produce a three-part television show on the topic. The "Gold" segment will examine oil, the black gold of Texas; the "Gods" segment will explore the various religions represented in Houston; and the "Glory" segment will look at the Medical Center in Houston.
Members at Bergen Community College in New Jersey have launched a program called Taking the Seats of Power, whereby chapter members will pursue situations through which they can impact the world. The first initiative of the program was undertaken by two chapter members who participated in the United Nations Symposium entitled, "The Architects of the Future: Reforming the UN to meet the Millennium Development Goals." During this three-day meeting, students wrote a report which will be forwarded to the Security Council of the United Nations.
Phi Theta Kappa students at Eastern Shore Community College in Virginia are developing a Lunch and Learn series on "Religions of the World." A college history professor is helping the students design the lecture series, which will feature one lecture per month from September to December. Chapter members are also interested in creating a display of artwork, symbols, and music to complement each of the luncheons.
