Writing a Senior (Honors) Thesis

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Why Write a Senior (Honors) Thesis?

Browsing through source-material that has not been systematically examined, holding a snippet from the past in your hands and using it to reconstruct a world that has disappeared, forming your own opinion about how people lived based on their own writings, tracing why they made the decisions they made and describing the backdrop for their actions.  Whether you are seriously considering entering Graduate School or whether you believe that doing research is the most stimulating way of studying History, the writing of a Senior (Honors) Thesis provides an experience that you will value for the rest of your life. 

I:  Preparation

In order to sign up for the Senior (Honors) Thesis you must do your homework.  Planning and scheduling are of the utmost importance. 

• Practical guidelines:

The length of a senior thesis or senior honors thesis is at least twice the length of any paper that you will write during your studies.  You need practice in both research and writing in order to complete the process successfully.  It is therefore recommended that you try to enroll for one of the available mini-seminars (History 200’s) or one of the reading seminars (History 500’s) that are offered by the Department.  Alternatively, you can start gaining the necessary experience by signing up for an independent study with a Professor of your choice. 

It is recommended that you sign up for the Senior (Honors) Thesis in your senior year.  Given the time commitment that a Senior (Honors) Thesis entails, you should complete your 600 requirement in your junior year. 

• Choice of Topic and Adviser:

You can start by looking for information on individual Professors and their research interests on the departmental website.  With that information you can start visiting Professors and asking them questions about research.  Declare your interest early and start developing a topic at least a couple of months before you enroll for the Thesis.

• Other Things To Consider

There exist opportunities for funding your research project.  Since the application process involves deadlines you need to plan ahead carefully.  Here you will find links to information on how and when to apply.

II:  Registration

The process of writing a Senior (Honors) Thesis is spread out over two semesters, and involves registration in two separate course numbers.  It is recommended you begin thinking of your thesis topic and faculty mentor during your junior year such that you are ready to begin writing senior year.

For non-Honors students the breakdown is as follows:

Semester 1:      sign up for History 691 and for History 690 (the colloquium)
Semester 2:      sign up for History 692 and for History 690 (the colloquium)

For Honors students the breakdown is as follows:

Semester 1:      sign up for History 681 and for History 680 (the colloquium)
Semester 2:      sign up for History 682 and for History 680 (the colloquium)

III:  Writing the Thesis

In the writing process you are not alone.  You can ask for and receive assistance from your adviser.  You can also take courses and instruction in essay writing, editing, and presentation at the Writing Center.

Archive is the Journal of the Undergraduate History Association.  It publishes remarkable, excellent, and titillating essays written by undergraduates.  Give more exposure to your Senior (Honors) Thesis and submit a revised version to Archive.