Arabic & Islamic Studies

Senior Honors Thesis

A selected number of seniors who have achieved a minimum 3.5 GPA both in the major and overall will be invited by the Arabic department to write a Senior Honors Thesis in the context of a designated upper-level course (350 and above) or, in very special cases, a tutorial. The thesis consists of a 30-35 page research paper. If written in the context of a course, the thesis satisfies the paper requirement for that course. This program offers students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor, to engage in critical analysis and scholarly research, and to produce a major research paper. After accepatance the following procedures should be followed:

  1. Before selecting a course, invited students should make an appointment with the Department Chair to discuss research interests, suitable courses and potential mentors.
  2. Students should contact the course instructor requesting approval for mentoring the research. Additionally, students should choose a second reader in consultation with their mentor.
  3. Students are encouraged to write the thesis in conjunction with a fall course in order to have two semesters to complete the thesis, in which case the grade IP (in progress) will be recorded for the course. If this is not possible, students may select a spring semester course, but are urged to begin research in the fall.
  4. Students should submit TWO copies of the Senior Honors Thesis proposal, bibliography and Form, one to the Department Chair and one to their mentor by specified deadlines each semester.

Students should explore topics of interest and initiate research as early as possible. Students are encouraged to present the thesis in class attended by their mentor and second reader in April.

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