Guidelines for Honors in Art History

Majors may work on Honors projects in their senior year if they feel they have adequate background, a viable topic, and at least a 3.0 GPA overall, and a 3.5 GPA in Art History. A written thesis and an oral examination culminate a year-long process. To receive the designation “Honors,” the student’s paper must be recognized by her project supervisor as of thesis quality, and then judged to be worthy of Honors by an Honors Committee and the Department at the end of second semester. Until that point, it should be understood that a student is working on an Independent Study project with the intention of it eventually being considered for Honors, and it remains Independent Study until it is accepted by the supervisor, examining committee, and the Department as Honors work.

A thesis topic is shaped by a student in conversation with a supervisor who is a member of the Department faculty. It should be on a question or issue that is interesting and capable of sustaining two semesters of research and writing. If a student wants to write a thesis but is having trouble developing a topic, she might look back at courses she has already taken. Were there themes, problems, clusters of objects that would be worthy of fresh study? Usually, the student should choose a project in a field in which she has already taken at least one course, and preferably two. The project will require rigorous reading, researching, analysis, and argument.

By the end of the Junior year, she must begin discussing a potential thesis topic with her major
advisor. That professor may direct her to an appropriate project supervisor, or may feel that the topic is not viable. If both parties agree that the thesis should proceed, then she should:

      -     Sign up for ARTH 395f, which is an Independent Study
      -     Write a two-page prospectus that sets forth the issues to be addressed and the
            method of investigation
      -     Compile a starter bibliography/review of the literature on the topic
      -     Submit a transcript
      -     Submit the Prospectus and Bibliography to the project supervisor

The Department will review the prospectus and decide by the end of the Examination Period whether to accept it.

In the summer she should begin some foundation work, in consultation with her supervisor. Read
some relevant articles and books, write a reaction paper, think about the project.

In the Senior year, a student should meet with her advisor when she returns to campus to map out a schedule of meetings and deadlines. Usually meetings occur once a week or once every other week. It is recommended that she take ARTH 300 in the Fall semester, it she has not taken it already.

Keep in mind that this is an Independent study, and that a supervisor’s job is to aid in the study, not to teach the subject. A supervisor will discuss readings, help strategize the course of research and idea development, and read and comment critically—sometimes very critically—on chapter drafts. At times, be prepared to instruct the supervisor! When meeting with a supervisor, be prepared with ideas, issues, problems, and plans. Remember, this is your project, and it will be your initiative, motivation, and work that will lead to its success.

By the week after Thanksgiving break, the student needs to submit to her supervisor a self-assessment that explains the justification for the study, its importance, the status of the research to date, chapter outlines, and a compelling argument for a second semester of study. This should amount to 15 – 20 pages in length.

The Department will assess the project and decide by the end of the Examination Period whether you may proceed for a second semester. If it is decided to end the project in the fall semester for any reason (e.g. topic was not viable, research materials too difficult to locate, issues too broad or narrow to allow a reasonable thesis, ideas not cohering, prospect of excellence in doubt, loss of interest, etc.), then a grade will submitted for ARTH 395f. If the student goes on, she registers for ARTH 395s.

In the second semester, the project should be completed. It should be at a higher critical standard than seminar papers. It should encompass three to five chapters, number between 60 and 120 pages in text length, and use the full scholarly apparatus of footnotes and bibliography. Rules for margins, footnotes, paper, fonts, etc. are available from the College. A final draft is due no later than May 1. The supervisor will determine, in consultation with the Department Chair, whether the Independent Study project is sufficient in length, depth, and quality to be considered a thesis. If it is determined that it is not to be considered for Honors, then the student will receive a comprehensive grade for both semesters of ARTH 395.

A brief, illustrated public presentation to the Department and all interested persons is made the last week of classes in conjunction with other theses and projects by other Art Department students.

An examining committee of at least three faculty will be formed, in consultation with student and supervisor. At least one faculty member will come from another department. Other faculty may—but rarely do—attend. The student will meet with the committee for about an hour during exam period to discuss the project. This is more like a conversation than a defense. Afterward, the committee will evaluate the written paper and the oral discussion of it, and then determine whether the thesis is worthy of Honors. If it is, the committee will recommend the level of Honors to the College’s Academic Advisory Board.

      Guidelines For Independent Study In Art History

A student may request to undertake independent work in her Junior or Senior year. A maximum of eight credits of such work can be elected as ARTH395, only four of which may count toward the requirement of three 300-level courses for the major. A 3.5 GPA in Art History is required. An Independent Study must be preceded by or take place at the same time as a 300-level seminar in art history.

To initiate an Independent Study, the student should contact a faculty member with whom she wishes to work. She needs to secure his or her permission to proceed. The student should submit a one-page prospectus that will be judged by the Department. The prospectus should include the title, description of the topic, and starter bibliography. A transcript must be attached. This is due within one week of the first day of classes. During the semester, the student is expected to meet regularly with her project supervisor.

For those students terminating their Independent Study at the end of the semester, the project ought to be turned in to the supervisor by the eleventh week of the term.

For those students contemplating a second semester of Independent Study, see the Guidelines for Honors in Art History. Decisions on the possible continuation of the Independent Study into a second term are to be made by advising week, with the full approval of the superviser, and following Departmental review.