American Studies Essay and Thesis Requirements 2012-13
1. DEADLINES FOR BOTH THESIS AND ESSAY
Prospectus and Bibliography: due Tuesday, September 25, 2012 by 7:30 PM to Professor Allen. This should consist of a 2-4 page statement of your thesis/essay question and the strategy you plan to use in answering it, plus a preliminary bibliography (including at least 6 primary sources and at least 5 secondary sources).
Please note: Meeting all deadlines is an important part of the process of completing your senior work. Final projects will be marked down 1/2 grade for each missed deadline.
Essay Writers
A. Minimum of 10 page draft and full outline: due Tuesday, October 23, 2012 to Professor Allen and your essay adviser.
B. Full draft copy: due Monday, November 12, 2012 to Professor Allen and your essay adviser.
C. Final copies: due Friday, December 7, 2012 by 4:00 PM. All essays turned in after this date will be penalized according to the judgment of the department. A maximum grade of "D" is the likely penalty for any late essay.
Thesis (AMST 0710)
A. First chapter: due Monday, November 5, 2012 to Professor Allen and your thesis adviser. Failure to submit a chapter by this date will automatically result in a grade of "U" in AMST 0700 for the fall semester, and a 1/2 grade reduction on the completed thesis.
B. Second Chapter: Detailed outline and biblography for second chapter due to Professor Allen and your thesis advisor Friday, December 7, 2012 by 4:00 PM.
C. Final Copies: If completing during Winter Term: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 by 4:00 PM is the deadline. If completing during Spring Term: Monday, May 6, 2013 by 4:00 PM is the deadline. All theses turned in after this date will be penalized according to the judgment of the department. A maximum grade of "D" is the likely penalty for any late thesis.
2. FORM
A. The senior essay should be typed, double-spaced, with adequate margins,35-40 pages. The honors thesis should be typed, double-spaced, with adequate margins, 75-100 pages. Students should plan carefully in advance to make sure that computer or printing problems do not interfere with their meeting the final deadline.
B. Footnotes may be placed at the bottom of each page, at the end of each chapter, or at the end of the essay/thesis. Follow either the MLA Style Sheet or the University of Chicago Manual of Style. Both a primary and secondary bibliography are required, but need not be annotated.
C. You must submit two copies of your essay or three copies of your thesis. One copy of your thesis will be retained by the department. You may collect the other copies at the department office during the first weeks of the spring semester.
3. GRADING
Essay writers
You will need two readers (including your director). It is your responsibility to secure the second reader, so it is wise to consult the faculty member well in advance.
Thesis writers
You will need three readers (including your director); at least one of the three readers must be from the Program in American Studies. It is your responsibility to secure the readers, so it is wise to consult desired readers well in advance. Final determination of departmental honors will be made on the basis of both the thesis and courses that fulfill requirements for the American Studies Major.
