Department of Politics

Mark your calendar: Benchmarks for Honors Thesis Completion

Politics Department Honors Program - 2010

Fall Semester

Deadline

Benchmarks

Contact faculty member

(1st week of classes)

Students should hold preliminary discussions with faculty member/prospective advisor about a topic.

Honors Orientation

(August 31)

Honors director sets out expectations, requirements, standards, and schedule - 4:30pm.

Honors Meeting #1

(September 16)

Prof. Greenlee speaks to the whole honors cohort - 3pm in 207 Olin-Sang.

Thesis Registration

(September 30)

Student submits to the honors director the thesis agreement signed by both student and advisor.

Outline Signed

(October 7)

Students work with advisor to develop a basic research plan (including sources).  This outline/research plan - signed by the advisor - must be submitted to the Honors Director.

Honors Meeting #2

(October 14)

Prof. Yack speaks to the whole honors cohort - 3pm Olin-Sang.

Honors Meeting #3

(October 28)

Trouble shooting session at 3pm in 207 Olin-Sang. Prof. Kryder will join us.

Honors Meeting #4

(November 11)

Prof. Greenlee speaks to the whole cohort; clusters are assigned; more trouble shooting.

Cluster Meetings (Scheduled by students during the remaining weeks of the semester)

Presentation of topics/research plans at a meeting of your honors cluster. Students receive from Prof. Greenlee.

Chapter 1 Draft (before Thanksgiving)

More detailed definition of topic/question, review of relevant literature, outline of research strategy.

Winter break agenda (week after Thanksgiving)

Students and their advisors will define the strategy for progress over the winter break

Spring Semester

Deadline

Benchmarks

Chapters Write-Up (January-March)

Progressive completion of draft chapters and their submission to advisors for review/suggestions for improvement.

Progress Report

(February 11)

Honors director queries advisors whether advisee is making satisfactory progress. Students who "disappear" will be contacted by the Honors Director.

Drop Deadline

(February 15)

Last day to drop or change grading option

Honors Meeting #5

(March 10)

Discuss the oral defense as well as thesis formatting requirements - 3pm.

First Thesis Draft

(March 31)

1st draft of the entire thesis is due to the advisor. Students who fail to turn in the draft will be contacted by Honors Director.

Students should discuss with their advisor who might serve on their defense committee, and students should set up meetings with those faculty members.

Feedback on Draft

(April 14)

Advisors return draft with critical comments and suggestions for improvement.

 Students should secure members for their defense committee.

Final Thesis Draft

Revised final draft is due. Student must deliver a copy of the thesis to the

(April 21)

advisor, committee members, and Honors Director.

Thesis Defense

Oral defense of the thesis with all committee members.

(May 5 - May 13)