CLAS Academic Programs > The Honors Program in Latin American Studies

Guidelines for Completing Honors in LAS, 2008-09

Honors Certification application in PDF Format

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 the attached evaluation form, 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 College and Coursework

Prior to the opening of classes in the fall of the senior year, honors candidates are strongly urged to enroll in the LAS Honors College. During this three-week residential program, students focus exclusively on post-field debriefing, data collating and analysis, and preparing and getting organized to write the honors thesis during the rest of the year. Honors College initiates a series of events hosted by CLAS for its honors students throughout the year (dinners, retreats, etc.). Email notifications go out in mid-May about registering online for Honors College at the URP website. 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.

Writing Deadlines

The student’s writing schedule, chapter or drafts review, and revision deadlines must be mutually established with the thesis advisor during the senior year. Here are some recommended guidelines: during the spring quarter, the complete first draft is normally due no later than mid-May to the faculty supervisor for comments and suggested changes. To be considered for a Firestone or Golden Medal, final drafts must be submitted to faculty advisors and CLAS in time to be evaluated and nominated by the first working day of June. Otherwise, the final revised copy with a LAS evaluation form should be submitted to the faculty advisor for his/her review by the end of May. Students are responsible for ensuring that faculty thesis evaluation forms arrive at CLAS by the end of exam period.

Thesis Submission & Presentations

Submit two paper copies (one bound and one unbound), and one electronic version (pdf file on cd rom is 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.

Recommended Deadlines for 2008-09

Completed draft to faculty advisor	3 or 10 May 2009
Final draft to faculty advisor and CLAS	31 May 2009
Firestone or Golden nominees	17 May 2009
All others	24 May 2009
Award nominations to URP (for advisors)	TBA, usually 1 June
Thesis evaluation forms to CLAS	31 May 2009

Recommended Deadlines for 2007-08

Completed draft to faculty advisor	4 or 11 May 2008
Final draft to faculty advisor and CLAS	31 May 2008
Firestone or Golden nominees	18 May 2008
All others	25 May 2008
Award nominations to URP (for advisors)	TBA, usually 1 June
Thesis evaluation forms to CLAS	31 May 2008
Commencement	15 June 2008