Honors in English

The Honors Program in English presents an Honors Seminar, which provides a selected group of Senior English majors with opportunities to work closely with faculty advisors, the honors coordinator, and each other on year-long projects of the students' own design. As such it affords a unique opportunity to engage in intensive independent research and writing.

The Honors Seminar

All majors seeking honors will enroll in the fall and winter quarters of their senior year in English 398-1,2, which is led by the honors coordinator. In addition, each student will have an individual faculty advisor (or advisors) whose expertise is appropriate to the student's honors topic. In the fall quarter (English 398-1), students in the seminar will be guided by the instructor and advisor in such matters as finding a topic, developing research resources and methods, and preparing outlines. Students will make presentations of progress reports to the group as a whole. These presentations continue in the winter quarter (English 398-2), with a greater emphasis on independent work. Students will also meet regularly throughout the fall and winter with their individual advisors, who will assist them in defining their topic, developing their primary and secondary reading lists, and framing their ideas.

Applying for the Seminar

Current application deadline: Thursday, May 1st at 3:00p.m. in Univeristy Hall #215

Application may be downloaded here, or picked up from the English Department in University Hall #215

Junior English majors who wish to do honors work in English must submit an application by the deadline listed above. While there may be exceptions, students in the seminar will be expected to have a GPA in the major of at least 3.6. There are two other components to the honors application which will form the remainder of the basis of selection. The first is the student's ability to describe a proposed research area. In the application, students are asked to name a possible subject (if not a specific topic) and a potential faculty advisor (students should speak with this faculty member in advance). Second, applicants are asked to submit one of their best academic papers written for an English Department class (or a non-English Department class taught by and English Department faculty member). Students are not asked to write something new but rather to turn in a clean copy of a paper they've already written, without grades or other marks but with the professor's name and course number. Class size will be limited to 15 students. The list of admitted students will be contacted by e-mail in time to allow advance registration for Fall quarter. Once the honors candidates are selected, you will meet before the end of the school year with the honors coordinator to be introduced to each other and to plan ahead.

Writing the Research Proposal

Honors projects consume a lot of time, so you should choose a topic that will hold your attention. Take time to think about what interests you. Are there issues or problems from previous classes which continue to preoccupy or intrigue you? Do you wish to synthesize material you have gathered from several different classes and now ask a larger question? Is there a term paper you feel you would like to revise, in order to deepen your understanding of the topic? Is there a particular teacher with whom you would like to work?

Having given some thought to potential topics, approach the faculty member or members with whom you'd like to work. Do not be bashful, and do not be afraid to return several times to discuss your ideas for the project--this is, after all, why professors are there! They will probably direct you to various reading sources, which will help you focus on your topic. Based on your preliminary reading and thinking, your proposed topic should be a concise statement that lays out a particular literary question or problem you hope to investigate, as well as the sources you intend to use in that investigation. The key thing is to demonstrate that you have begun to refine a research project, and that you possess a keen interest in the issues at stake.

The Senior Year

By fall quarter reading week, students will submit a 5-page prospectus and bibliography, to be read by both the honors coordinator and their advisor, to be returned at the first class meeting of English 398-2. By winter quarter reading week, all students will submit a polished draft of their honors essay (which will also be read by the honors coordinator and the individual advisor). This will be returned to them in the first week of the spring quarter, and they will meet as soon as possible with their advisor and the honors coordinator to discuss the draft. Students will receive temporary grades of K in English 398-1 and 398-2, and these will be changed to regular grades after the essays are evaluated.

The Honors Essay

An essay deserving of honors will be expected to be approximately 30 pages long (excluding notes); based on a substantial body of literature in English; aware of relevant critical and contextual scholarship; and original in its arguments. If any student has an alternative proposal, he or she should be sure to discuss this before applying. Honors essays should adhere to style specifications set by the department. The department will establish a library of honors essays and comments for future reference by other students.

Evaluation of the Honors Work

The final essays will be read by the student's individual advisor, the honors coordinator, and another faculty member. Each reader submits a written evaluation (1-2 pages) and a suggested grade. After collecting all these reports and grades, the honors coordinator will assign grades in English 398-1,2. Students must receive grades of (A-) or higher in English 398-1,2 to be eligible for nomination to honors. The WCAS Committee on Superior Students and Honors makes the final decision for the College. Admission to the honors seminar and completion of a senior essay does not assure departmental nomination for honors.

Students on Junior Year Abroad

Students who plan to go abroad should meet with the honors coordinator.

Undergraduate Research Grants

WCAS recently launched a pilot program to support undergraduate research. Students are eligible to receive substantial grants--up to $500--to subsidize travel to research sites, books, photocopying in archives, etc.

Prizes

Each year, the English Department awards prizes for original research papers, and honors students are especially encouraged to submit their work.

Enjoy

You are probably carrying full course loads along with other commitments, and thus probably view the additional work for Honors with some reluctance. We hope, however, that you will take the time to think about the Honors program, and put together a preliminary proposal. It is a wonderful opportunity, for both students and faculty. This could be the most exciting and rewarding experience of your college years. If you have questions about the program, or if you simply wish to discuss possible topics, the honors coordinator is available for such meetings, with additional office hours in April and May for this purpose.

Return your completed application to the Undergraduate Program Assistant.

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