|
History majors have
the option of writing a senior thesis over one or two terms. This process
involves original research, normally with extensive use of primary materials.
The Department encourages students with a strong interest in a particular
subject to consider a thesis and strongly advises all students considering an
academic career to write one. Many students find the senior thesis the most
rewarding academic experience of their undergraduate career.
It is advisable to begin thinking about whether
you wish to write a thesis, and about possible topics, in the beginning of the
junior year. The UNDED holds an organizational meeting for juniors who are
curious about writing a senior thesis in the spring term.
With some prior planning,
it is possible to gain access (whether through travel or through inter-library
loan) to sources not available at Columbia. Many students begin research on the
senior thesis in the summer before their senior year; some students are able to
do original research for the senior thesis while on study-abroad programs in
their junior year. It is quite possible to research and write a fine thesis
during the senior year and use only sources available in the New York area.
Columbia College and the School of General Studies grant research funds for
thesis writers in the fall semester of senior year. The department will keep
students informed of the application process.
Theses ought to be between 13,000 and 17,000
words, with a lower limit of 10,000 words and an upper limit of 20,000 words,
for exceptional cases. Determinations of honors rest on quality, not length.
Verbosity and diffuseness mitigate against the awarding of honors and prizes.
A thesis is required—but not
sufficient—for a student to receive departmental honors.
A thesis is normally
written in one of the two-term Senior Thesis Seminars, HIST C4398/C4399.
Students interested in taking a Senior Thesis Seminar must submit an
application by the announced deadline in the preceding spring semester,
normally in April. Students with extenuating circumstances, such as study
abroad in the fall of senior year, may enroll in a thesis seminar for only one
semester with permission from the DUS.
Alternatively,
students who wish to work with a member of the Department on an individual
basis may register for a one- or two-term independent senior thesis section. If
you wish to pursue this option, you should identify an appropriate supervisor
in the term before you begin the thesis. A short proposal, approved by the
supervisor, should be forwarded to the Director of Undergraduate Studies before
the beginning of the thesis term: by August
1 for the Fall term and December 1 for the spring term. After receiving
approval, please contact the Undergraduate Administrator regarding
registration.
Theses are read and
graded by the thesis advisor. All theses are also read by a second faculty reader
chosen by the DUS. Students will receive formal written comments from the
second reader.
|
