ptk honors case study challenge

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 Honors Study Topic. Honors in Action is the process that provides opportunities to apply learning and practice real-world problem-solving by developing an in-depth, action-oriented project related to Honors Study Topic research.  Academic research into the themes related to the Honors Study Topic is what makes the difference between Honors in Action and simply action.  Honors in Action is informed action designed to make a lasting impact and contribute to the betterment of society.

The Honors Study Topic changes every two years so that it will always be a timely and relevant subject of importance to the human experience in global context.

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.

The Phi Theta Kappa Honors Institute is a five-day summer conference examining the Honors Study Topic using speaker presentations and small group discussions.

Information regarding Honors in Action and its associated activites may be found by accessing the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society website and login to your account at www.ptk.org

2022/2023 Honors Study Topic: The Art and Science of Play

2022/2023 Honors Program Guide

Honors in Action At A Glance

Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action Resource Page

Alpha Nu Sigma Library Resource Guide

Carolinas Region Library Resource Guide

Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter  Honors in Action Projects

2024 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2023 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: The Art and Science of Play)

2023 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2022 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: The Art and Science of Play)

2022 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2021 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: To the Seventh Generation: Inheritance and Legacy)

2021 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2020 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: To the Seventh Generation: Inheritance and Legacy)

2020 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2019 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: Transformations: Acknowledging, Assessing, and Achieving Change)

2019 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2018 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: Transformations: Acknowledging, Assessing, and Achieving Change)

2018 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2017 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: How the World Works: Global Perspectives)

2017 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2016 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: How the World Works: Global Perspectives)

2016 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2015 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: Frontiers and the Spirit of Exploration)

2015 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2014 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: Frontiers and the Spirit of Exploration)

2014 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2013 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: The Culture of Competition)

2013 Honors in Action Project Hallmark Award Entry

(for 2012 HiA Project Activities - Honors Study Topic: The Culture of Competition)

• Professional Development Courses

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Research Edge teaches the principles of conducting scholarly research while introducing you to Honors in Action, PTK’s honors program.

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PHI THETA KAPPA: Home

About this guide.

This LibGuide will help you find the resources you need to complete this years' challenge. This years' topic is the art and science of play.

• Honors Program Guide Jan. 2022-Dec. 2023 Honors in Action the PHI THETA KAPPA Experience The Art and Science of Play

Theme 1) Essence of Play

Theme 2) Economics of Play

Theme 3) Systems of Play

Theme 4) Architecture & Design of Play

Theme 5) Soul of Play

Theme 6 Nostalgia of Play

Theme 7) Play it Forward

Don't forget to look at the rubric which begins on page 24 of the Honors Program Guide

Research Help

Honors case study challenge.

Phi Theta Kappa chapters and individual members are invited to participate in the Honors Case Study Challenge. Take the challenge for an opportunity to WIN $500!

To encourage scholarship while promoting civic engagement among college students, Phi Theta Kappa has issued the Honors Case Study Challenge. The Challenge provides chapters with the opportunity to supplement their Honors in Action research based on the Honors Study Topic, with the use of newspapers of varying viewpoints. The Challenge also provides members an enhanced learning experience through the use of newspapers, print or online, and encourages them to stay abreast of current events.

The Challenge:

Phi Theta Kappa challenges you to read online or print newspapers daily and create an Honors Case Study based upon your reading of newspapers over time that are related to our current Honors Study Topic.

The Reward:

· Be one of the winners of $500!

· Be recognized at PTK Catalyst 2024 in Orlando, Florida!

· Read online or print newspaper articles of varying viewpoints between January 1 and November 1, 2023.

· Select five newspaper articles with varying viewpoints on a single topic related to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic, The Art and Science of Play.

· Record the newspaper name, headline, byline (reporter’s name), section name, publication date, and page number(s) for each article selected.

· Write a one-page (maximum 500 words) Case Study summary of the topic, how it relates to the current Honors Study Topic and why the topic was chosen. The summary should outline your topic, any issue or controversy about this topic and how the case study examines these issues.

· Write an essay (maximum 200 words) on the future implications of the Case Study topic. The essay should include how you predict this topic will influence society in the future and/or what result or outcome you anticipate.

· Pose three to five open-ended discussion questions (maximum of 75 words total for all questions) related to the topic. Questions should be thought-provoking, open-ended and use critical thinking skills to examine this topic from different perspectives.

· Suggest up to six academic resources for additional study and provide formal citations for each of these sources. Sources can include books, videos, websites (include URL) and /or articles.

· Submit by 5:00 pm CST, Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

You may also use online newspapers for the Challenge.

With many online newspapers (i.e., USA Today, New York Times) you can determine the section of the paper from which the articles comes. That is more difficult with page numbers, but some newspapers include those as well. We recommend copying the URL from which you pull the article, so someone reading the challenge can easily find the article. Whether you use MLA or APA citations, check to see how to include this information. Here is the APA example:

How to Cite a Newspaper Online in APA (These citations look different online. If the citation goes to more than 1 line,

please indent the second and subsequent lines by 10 spaces.)

Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Newspaper Title, pp. Page(s). Retrieved from URL.

Bowman, L. (1990, March 7). Bills target Lake Erie mussels. The Pittsburgh Press, p. A4. Retrieved from http://www.pittsburghpress.com

Meier, B. (2013, January 1). Energy drinks promise edge, but experts say proof is scant. New York Times, p. 1. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com Submit

Challenge ends November 8, 2023!

The Resources Check out Citation Machine for help generating citations.

For more information about the Honors Case Study Challenge, contact us.

Reference Librarian

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• Last Updated: Oct 11, 2023 8:35 AM
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Phi Theta Kappa Competitions and Programs

On This Page

Phi Theta Kappa offers numerous ways for members to grow as scholars, gain leadership experience, build fellowship with fellow members, and give back to their school and community.

Honors in Action Program

Honors in Action (HIA) is a yearly project that combines academic research, problem solving, and service or advocacy to address real-world challenges in our communities.

To learn more about Honors in Action, check out the official page on PTK’s website:   https://www.ptk.org/programs/honors-in-action-details/

College Project

Our annual college project is PTK’s way of giving back to our school.  Every year, our college project team meets with administrators to determine a project for our members to undertake that will further the school’s mission statement. Past college projects at Calhoun have focused on topics like mental health awareness for college students and student engagement.

PTK Contests

PTK headquarters sponsors two major contests every year:

Honors Case Study Challenge:

This is a current events writing challenge with a cash prize for winners!  For more information, check out https://www.ptk.org/Programs/HonorsinAction/HonorsCaseStudyChallenge.aspx

Nota Bene , Latin for “note well,” is Phi Theta Kappa’s literary anthology. Members may submit entries for publication, as well as cash prizes. To learn more about Nota Bena, visit the official contest webpage here:  https://portal.ptk.org//Programs/NotaBeneLiteraryCompetition.aspx