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PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION
RESEARCH REQUIREMENT IN HISTORY
Research Requirement in
History
The creative exploration of a historical problem through independent research
is an essential part of learning to do history. The History Department therefore requires its majors
to undertake at least one substantial research project under faculty supervision before
graduation. A research project includes the delineation of a topic and the evidence relating
to it (both primary and secondary), mastery of this evidence, and the interpretation of it in
the form of a long paper. The faculty member supervising the project provides guidance about
basic reference materials in the field, comments on outlines and drafts of the paper, and at
the conclusion of the project supplies the student with a detailed written evaluation of the
work.
Students may satisfy the research requirement in one of three ways:
1. Senior Honors thesis. To write an Honors thesis a student
finds a thesis supervisor (preferably in the spring of his or her junior year), enrolls in a
senior thesis tutorial (HIST 409) at the start of the senior year, and continues during the second semester
(HIST 410) until the completion of the thesis in April, at the Honors deadline. The writers of
successful theses not only satisfy the research requirement and receive two tutorial credits, but
also graduate with Honors in History. Majors who are writing theses are expected to make a
presentation about their research to the department's Honors Colloquium, which meets late in
the first semester. (NB: History thesis writers are normally eligible for Davenport Grants
that provide research support during the preceding summer; this can give the work an advantageous
head start.)
2. Senior Essay. This project requires work roughly equivalent to a semester
course, in the form of an individual tutorial leading to a substantial research paper. Normally between
thirty-five and fifty pages in length, a senior essay usually pursues in greater depth an interest developed
in another course. A student who elects to write a senior essay enrolls in HIST 401 in the fall
of the senior year and carries on research and writing under the regular supervision of a faculty member
throughout the semester. Exceptionally, the project may be undertaken in the spring, as HIST 402.
3. Seminar. Students who do not undertake an Honors thesis or senior essay
enroll in a History seminar (numbered 261 - 398) during senior year and arrange with the instructor to complete a
special research project in conjunction with the course, with the aim of meeting the research requirement.
This research project (commonly a considerably more substantial version of the term paper required in the
course) is similar in its purpose to a senior essay and is closely supervised by the instructor, but it is
undertaken as an adjunct to a course (normally for no extra credit) instead of as an individual tutorial.
In unusual circumstances, and with the approval of the chair of the department, the research requirement may be
met by an arrangement other than those specified above.
Work submitted in fulfillment of the research requirement, no matter in which of the above forms,
must receive a grade of B- or better. When the research requirement is complete, a form is filled out and signed
by the supervisor and major adviser to that effect.
You can download this form by clicking here:
"Research Requirement Form
For Seniors"
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