Honors Project

The purpose of an Honors Research Project is to allow students to investigate a subject beyond the requirements of a standard Research Paper. This project is separate from any assignment required for the class. In addition, students are invited to research their chosen topic in a creative manner by selecting their research project as an interdisciplinary endeavor (choose a topic and research it from different perspectives, e.g. design topic and discuss it from a sociological point of view and an English literature perspective). These papers would be independent of each other and offer the student two Honors course projects.

One departmental faculty member will act as a mentor and agree to work with the student throughout the individual Honors Project. Be advised, an Honors Research Project may require extensive time to develop, so mentors will agree to be available to students during the semester as well as breaks. Honors projects are subject to approval by the Honors office. A student must be in or have completed English 101 in order to submit an Honors project proposal. Students must submit all Honors Program Forms (Honors Contract, Honors Application and Honors Contract Completion) to the Honors office.

• A class presentation on a well researched topic, at least ½ to 1 hour long (submit an outline of the presentation with appropriate academic and/or historical documentation).
• A video production on a well researched topic (submit an outline of the presentation with appropriate academic and/or historical documentation).
• A formal research paper (10-15 pages with minimum 5 outside sources) A research paper must incorporate a theme/topic covered in the course, but must go beyond the scope of what was covered in class.
• A slide collection on a particular idea (with appropriate academic and/or historical documentation on the literary, cultural or historical merit of this production).
• Website creation (including a 8 page exegesis)*
• Field trip to historical site; (Photos, 10 page paper with appropriate academic and/or historical documentation on the literary/ historical significance of the site.
• Performance or event (Ballet, Opera or theater production) 10 page paper with appropriate academic and/or historical documentation on the literary, cultural, or historical merit of this production.
• Art (Portfolio of original work, prints, slides or photos with appropriate academic, literary and/or historical documentation accompanied by a 4-5 page written reflection)
• Poetry (Chap book of publishable poems with appropriate academic documentation accompanied by a 4-5 page written reflection)
• Music (CD Of 10 original songs or instrumental tracks, including an 8 page exegesis)*
• Multimedia (DVD at least 30 to 60 minutes long including an 8 page exegesis)

* Critical explanation or interpretation of a text or portion of a text.

• Students apply and are accepted in Honors Program.
• Submit an Honors Project to the Honors Program.
• The Proposed Project must have the signature of the mentor who has reviewed the Proposal. The Instructor agrees to act as the Honors Project mentor from the beginning to the completion of the Honors Project. This agreement implies a commitment to being available even during intercessions until the project is completed.
• The proposal submitted should be an original and independent proposal. The ideal proposal should address why it is unique, and how it contributes to academia or society? Ideas to consider when developing and completing a proposal:
  1. This should consist of identifying a topic that is a focal point of the course being taken, and correlate this topic with the interests of the student.
  2. A literature search of the topic and an explanation of why this topic is interesting as illustrated in the literature.
  3. A discussion of the literature related to the topic molded into a story.
  4. Come up with the student's own ideas that further the topic (from the literature).
  5. Give potential and expected outcomes from the student's ideas on the topic.
  6. Discuss how the student's ideas and potential outcomes will advance the knowledge in the field.
• Once the Honors Project is approved, students will then proceed under the guidance of the mentor. When the Project is complete, the student and mentor will complete the Honors Project Completion Form and turn in the project and the form to the Honors Program.
• Students should discuss the particular details of their Honors Project with Mike Fenton and Afri Walker to ensure the Honors Program and Project are completed, transcript notations, and Honors Program completion are noted prior to applying to universities.