The Honors Thesis

---

Thesis:
Honors Thesis (2-0-2 or 3-0-3; hours credit determined case by case by honors advisor, department chair, and Honors Committee chair) A directed project wherein the student works closely with an honors advisor, usually in her or his major department, to develop an acceptable honors thesis based on an approved thesis proposal designed in HONR 3999. Depending on the field in which the work is being done, an honors thesis may take a variety of forms: e.g. traditional library research, an original piece of quantitative or qualitative research, a critical or appreciative essay, an exhibit or performance accompanied by a reflective, analytic essay, a substantial work of fiction or poetry, or an analysis growing out of an internship. The thesis is the work of an individual student, working closely with an advisor, usually in the student’s major discipline. The thesis will be presented before members of the honors student community and reviewed by and discussed with a panel established by the Honors Committee who will share their comments and recommendations with the writer and advisor. The evaluation of the thesis and the awarding of credit are the responsibility of the advisor.

Models:
Thesis writers are encouraged to look at copies of prospectuses in the HP office and at copies of previous theses housed in Reese Library and at the HP office.

Audience:
While thesis work might eventually result in an in-field publication or presentation, writers should assume an audience of well educated generalists as well as readers with expertise in the field. Honors program work should give the writer an opportunity to do work in his/her subject field but should also enable him/her to discuss that work meaningfully with a broader audience.

Cost:
Writers and advisors should look very carefully at the probable cost of a thesis project. All writers should expect to incur expenses equal to the cost of books, materials, lab fees, etc. for an upper division course. If completing the work is dependant on additional funding, the source of that funding should be determined before the student seriously begins work.

Human or Animal subjects:
Writers working with human or animal subjects should submit their project to the Oversight Committee for approval during the prospectus semester.

Facilities and Materials:
All permissions and access to facilities and materials should be arranged for during the prospectus term.

Honors Thesis Form: