1. GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher,
2. overall GPA of 3.25 or higher,
3. successful completion of senior thesis in LITR 399,
4. oral presentation of a paper at either a regional undergraduate conference or a colloquium sponsored by the department,
5. active participation in department activities (e.g., help organize and attend presentations by invited speakers, off-campus events, and Open Mic sessions; write for and/or work on Different Voices or Quantum Pulp; help organize and run initiation ceremonies for honor societies, etc.), and
6. performance of at least 25 hours of community service related to the field (e.g., serving as an ARC tutor or community literacy volunteer, etc.).

Students interested in working towards Departmental Distinction should speak with their advisor and contact the Chair of the Department of Language and Literature as early as possible in their academic career. Students graduating in May must apply for Departmental Honors by the end of the preceding October; those graduating in December must apply by the end of the preceding February.

English Honor Society

Benedictine University sponsors the Alpha Theta Xi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. An initiation ceremony for eligible students is held each spring. Entrance requirements include the following:

1. a major or minor in English Language and Literature,
2. a grade of “C” or better in LITR 100, Introduction to Literary Analysis, and three English Language and Literature courses at the 200/300 level,
3. undergraduate or graduate standing,
4. three semesters or five quarters of college course work,
5. a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher in the major/minor, and
6. a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in general scholarship.

Interested students should contact the department chair or an English Language and Literature faculty member for additional information.