CLAS Academic Programs > The Honors Program in Latin American Studies

Guidelines for Completing Honors in LAS, 2009-10

Candidates for the Honors Certificate in Latin American Studies must prepare a senior thesis that is usually, but not necessarily, based on independent field research in Latin America. This requirement imparts and sharpens scholarly understanding of a problem related to Latin America that is of particular interest to the candidate, while allowing him or her to draw upon theory, method, and substantive materials from undergraduate study. The honors thesis is ordinarily a written paper of 40-60 pages in length, but other media may supplement the written portion. For example, it may include applied materials such as an appropriate curriculum unit for K-12, a handbook for a design project or development program, or video or still photography. Examples are on file in the Seminar Room at Bolivar House and are a great way to get an idea of what to expect.

Faculty Advisors

Honors candidates must work in consultation with a faculty advisor, normally a member of the Academic Council. The student-advisor relationship is an important component of a successful honors project, and cultivating such a relationship is a key element in the honors process. Advisors must facilitate scholarship on the student’s topic and be willing to play an advisory role in the student’s research and writing. The Director or Associate Director of CLAS will assist students in identifying and approaching faculty advisors. Once selected, advisors should meet with the students to review these guidelines and then continue to meet regularly throughout the honors thesis process.

Scope and Research

The scope of the project should be more than a paper written for a particular course. The appropriate length depends on the nature and extent of the thesis and research, narrowed and clearly defined in consultation with one’s faculty advisor. Honors theses should utilize and integrate relevant coursework, drawing on bibliographic, historical, and other scholarship. To this end, students are urged to regularly attend the CLAS weekly noon lecture series to stay abreast of contemporary scholarship on Latin America and establish important campus and area contacts. Students are encouraged to undertake independent field research in Latin America during the summer prior to the senior year.

Honors Thesis Credits

Students enroll in LAS 198: Honors Thesis, with their faculty advisor, for up to 5 units each quarter during senior year. An “N” grade is assigned for LAS 198 for work on the thesis in fall and winter quarters. The final letter grade, assigned by the faculty advisor when the draft is complete, will apply to all LAS 198 units accumulated. Students cannot graduate with honors without a passing letter grade in this spring course.

Thesis Deadlines

See below for final submission deadlines. Students should work with their thesis advisors to develop a timeline with specific dates mutually agreed upon for submission and review of partial drafts throughout the writing process. Students are responsible for ensuring that faculty thesis evaluation forms arrive at CLAS by the end of exam period (for June 2010 graduation: June 9, 2010).

Thesis Submission & Presentations

Submit two paper copies (one bound and one unbound), and one electronic version (pdf email attachment preferred), to CLAS at the same time the final version is submitted to the faculty advisor. The bound copy is kept in the Seminar Room for consultation by future students. In early June, CLAS holds a symposium of student theses at which each honors student makes a public presentation of his/her work. We encourage students to invite colleagues, advisors, friends, and family to this important capstone event.

Deadlines for 2009-10

Completed draft to faculty advisor	7 May 2010
Final draft to faculty advisor and CLAS	28 May 2010
Firestone or Golden nominees	TBA
Award nominations to URP (for advisors)	TBA, usually 1 June
Thesis evaluation form to CLAS (completed by advisor)	9 June 2010