Undertaking a research project using the tools that you have learned through your interdisciplinary coursework is an important part of achieving a degree in African American Studies. The African American Studies Program requires all of its majors to undertake at least one substantial research project under faculty supervision before graduation. Students may satisfy the research requirement in one of three ways:

 

1. Senior Honors Thesis: An Honors thesis is a year-long independent research project

undertaken during a studentÕs senior year. Students who wish to write a thesis must

apply to the Program by the last day of classes in their junior year (next page). If the proposal is approved, the student will enroll in a senior thesis tutorial (AFAM 409) in the fall of their senior year, and continue in the spring of their senior year (in AFAM 410). Thesis writers must fill out all forms required for the honors program. Thesis writers produce a substantial work of original research, normally from 80 to 120 pages in length. Theses are due at the Honors deadline in early April.  Theses are read by two African American Studies Program faculty members (the tutor does not serve as a thesis reader). Thesis writers who receive Honors or High Honors on their thesis graduate with Honors in African American Studies. Students may also choose to do a senior honors artistic project under the guidance of an AFAM faculty member, if appropriate.

 

2. Senior Essay: A senior essay is a one-semester independent research project undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. Students who plan to write an essay must apply to the program by the last day of classes in their junior year (next page).  Students who are approved will sign up with a faculty member for AFAM 401 in the fall of their senior year. They must also fill out an individual research tutorial form, which must be signed by both the project advisor and the chair of the program. Senior essays are substantial research papers of at least 35 pages in length. In exceptional circumstances, a senior essay may be undertaken in the spring, as AFAM 402.

 

3. Seminars: Students who do not wish to undertake a senior thesis or to write a senior essay may enroll in a 300-level African American Studies seminar and arrange with the instructor to write a research paper related to the course that will meet the research requirement. Research requirement papers must be at minimum 15 pages in length, and typically range from 20-25 pages in length. These research papers must be written in courses cross-listed with African American Studies except under exceptional circumstances.

 

Any work submitted to fulfill the research requirement, whether thesis, essay, or seminar paper, must receive a grade of B- or better. Once a student has completed the research requirement, he or she should fill out the research requirement form, which must be signed by both the project supervisor and the major advisor. The research requirement form

is available in the African American Studies Program office.