Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter
of Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action
Incorporating the four Hallmarks
Scholarship, Leadership, Service, & Fellowship
The Phi Theta Kappa Experience through Honors in Action means that scholars are engaging with their communities using the Phi Theta Kappa Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship to seek solutions to the world's challenges related to the Honors Study Topic.
Honors in Action Projects are a way of exploring the Phi Theta Kappa 2010-2011 Honors Study Topic, The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril and Promise. This topic is controversial and consequential, and it provides the basis for Honors in Action projects for individuals and chapters to learn, lead, serve and collaborate with others. All four Hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa make up the critical elements of Honors in Action projects: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.
The Honors Study Topic is a interdisciplinary and issue-driven subject chosen to promote discussion and to inspire Honors in Action Projects.
Link to Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic Guide: http://www.ptk.org/honors/guide/
The Honors Case Study Challenge is an academic research competition based on the Honors Study Topic and includes cash awards and online publication of winning entries.
Link to Honors Case Study Challenge Information: http://www.ptk.org/honors.casechall/
The Honors Seminar Series is a series of video presentations showcasing various perspectives of the Honors Study Topic.
Link to Honors Seminar Series information: http://www.ptk.org/honors/seminars/
The Phi Theta Kappa Honors Institute is a five-day summer conference examining the Honors Study Topic using speaker presentations and small group discussions.
Link to Honors Institute Information: http://www.ptk.org/honors/institute/
Alpha Nu Sigma's Honors in Action Project
The chapter officers and members of the Alpha Nu Sigma chapter chose to use the topic of bullying as their current Honors in Action project, because some members have either experienced this or have children who experienced bullying. They began their research by perusing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website to determine a definition for bullying as well as different types of bullying. Likewise, they found relevant information in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Committee members solicited additional research from current members, officers, and alumni members. The research showed a correlation between bullying and domestic violence which was of special interest to the chapter. They identified a pattern and progression of both aggressive and passive behaviors which lead individuals to become a bully or a victim. These behavioral patterns continue from childhood through the teen years and into adulthood. The Honors in Action project committee members wanted to raise awareness of this cycle, so they partnered with an Horry-Georgetown Technical College sociology professor who hosts a Domestic Violence Lecture Series on campus each fall. She was excited and encouraged this partnership. The result was two-fold. First, committee members produced a Power Point presentation illustrating the progression of bullying into violence. This was shown to an audience of college and community members prior to the start of the lecture on two of the three nights of the series. Second, on the first night of the series, chapter officers and an alumni member acted in an original skit entitled "Faces of Abuse" that portrayed the cycle of domestic violence that starts with bullying. Both the Power Point slides and the skit were well-received; however, the committee members wanted to make a more long-term impression. So, they invited a local police officer to speak about the hazards of bullying during the fall induction ceremony. Also, a sub-committee has been created to develop a Facebook page which will include the slide presentation, a video of the skit, and a list of resources for assistance. Leadership development components of this collaboration included having the Power Point slides and Facebook page critiqued by computer technology faculty members, getting assistance from a local English honor society to be sure references were properly annotated, and rehearsing the skit on multiple occasions. All of the students involved in this project feel as though they have made a positive impact on a serious issue in South Carolina. Feedback from students who attended the "Faces of Abuse" was positive overall. One student commented, "The favorite part of the lecture was the play at the end. I thought it was well rehearsed and very informational. It gave you such an insight to see how domestic violence hurts everyone and it also gives you an insight showing you how domestic violence can hurt you not only physically but mentally as well. The play also showed me how domestic violence can give you a positive or negative outlook on your life." Another attendee stated, "Honestly, the skit was my favorite part of the lecture. I believe there are so many people that have no idea about the effects domestic violence has on everyone in the family. The skit really put that on display to show just how vicious the cycle is and who it effects."
Please direct any questions or comments about this page to : Webmaster