Q: When should I start thinking about this?
A: Most students defend their thesis in April or May of their Senior year, you may also take 4630 in the fall of your senior year and defend in November or December if that works better for you. The sooner you identify a supervisor and get talking about your topic, the better. Students often informally begin reading towards their thesis project in the semester prior to registering for 4630.
Q: What if I’m already enrolled in the Honors College?
A: Great! Students can “double-dip” their thesis work, which means you can use the same thesis for both programs. In addition to your requirements for the Honors College, you will need to have an English department faculty supervisor and you will need to schedule a defense with the supervisor, a second reader (who can be your existing Honors college supervisor), and the Honors Program Director.
Q: Does my thesis have to be an academic essay?
A: No. Past projects have included novel excerpts, short stories, or creative non-fiction. If you have an idea for a specific project but you’re not sure if it will fly, schedule a meeting with the English Honors Program Director.
Q: Can I use a paper I’ve already written?
A: No. But you can certainly develop a paper you’ve already written in your coursework into a more substantial and polished piece.
