The Honors College is offering the Honors 499 class in order to aid students with the development and production of their theses. The class is participation-heavy and work-intensive, meant for students who feel they would benefit from a more structured classroom environment while developing and producing their Honors theses. The Honors College is offering two in-class, 3-credit-hour sections of Honors 499 in the Spring term 2020. Admittance to the class is by permission only, and a committee will review all applications. The deadline to apply is October 2, 2019.
What is Honors 499?
When it comes to the Honors thesis, many students struggle to find an advisor, a suitable topic, or sometimes both. Sometimes the prospect of even starting, let alone finishing, an Honors thesis seems overwhelming. But don’t fear! The administration and faculty at the Honors College are committed to helping students through that process.
That’s why the Honors College will offer two in-class, 3-credit-hour courses, called Honors 499, devoted strictly to the production of the Honors thesis in Spring term 2020. The class instructor will be the advisor for all the students in the course, and will aid the students in the thesis writing process, from beginning to end. By the end of the semester, all the students in the course will have produced and submitted a polished and commendable thesis.
It is important to note that every student in the Honors College is encouraged to follow the traditional route of developing a senior thesis (finding an advisor, developing a proposal, etc.). The Honors College is offering this class for students who would benefit from a more structured classroom environment. The course is work-intensive geared toward students who are eager to participate – students who want to interact with and encourage others throughout the process. Students will engage in the peer-review process, critique each other’s work, and offer constructive insights and perspectives.
Honors 499 is open to third, fourth, and fifth-year students, but not students pursuing departmental honors or for Miller Scholars. Additionally, the class would not be appropriate for students who might be seeking IRB approval or for those pursuing a thesis outside of the arts and humanities. But stay tuned! There will be a section of the Honors 499 class offered in Fall 2020 aimed at students interested in pursuing this sort of research. Details for our Fall Honors 499 class will be released in January 2020.
Meet the Honors 499 Instructors!
Instructor: Dr. Alexander L. Kaufman
When: Spring 2020, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12.30– 1.15 BA 200 or 117
Dr. Kaufman’s areas of competence for advising are predominately in the arts and humanities, as well as some subjects in the social sciences. His particular areas of interest are: literary criticism, historical research, medieval studies, medievalism, outlaws, theories of modernism and postmodernism, and film studies. He is willing to advise students with majors in a variety of disciplines, but their thesis topics must align with his ability to oversee their thesis projects effectively. Dr. Kaufman will be instructing Section 1 of the HONR 499 class.
Instructor: Professor Elizabeth Dalton
When: Spring 2020, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12.00-12.50, BA 200 or 117
Professor Dalton’s areas of competence are the arts and humanities, particularly creative writing (fiction and creative nonfiction). Other areas of interest include women’s studies, literary studies, and popular culture studies. She is willing to advise students with majors in a variety of disciplines, but their thesis topics must align with her ability to oversee their thesis projects effectively. Professor Dalton will be instructing Section 2 of the HONR 499 class.
How To Apply
To apply for the program, you will need to provide the following information. Please keep the document under two pages, double spaced.
- Name, intended graduation date, major(s), minor(s).
- Have you submitted a thesis proposal yet? (Not required for entry into the course.)
- Have you already met with Dr. Livingstone or Dr. Emert regarding your thesis? (Not required for entry into the course.)
- Thesis ideas you are considering, or topics in which you are interested.
- Why you believe this course will be of value to you (why you feel you need to take it)?
- Why you will be beneficial to the class? (What skills do you bring to the table to make the class a more profitable and interactive experience?)
- List the Honors courses, including professors, which you have taken.
- If you have a scheduling preference, please indicate.
Please email your application to Dr. Amy Livingstone, Associate Dean of the Honors College, (alivingstone@bsu.edu) by Wednesday, October 2, 2019.
After committee review, formal invitations to the course will be sent out by October 24, 2019, after which the selected students will receive the CRN to register for the course in early November.