Independent Project

All students in the Honors Program are required to complete an Independent Project (usually bearing the designation of "395" and undertaken for a minimum of 3 hours credit), or to complete a project within the context of a Proseminar (HON 301), in order to graduate "with Honors in the Honors Program."

The Independent Project may be done with the advice of a member of the Honors Program faculty (and thus be registered as "HON 395"), or it may be done in the student's major department (HIS 395, BIO 395, for instance) to satisfy both departmental and Honors requirements. Some students undertake the "HON 395" in a department other than their major where they find a subject of particular interest, or even combine several disciplines for a project which falls outside of departmental divisions. Thus "HON 395" may be undertaken under the direction of one or more advisers not necessarily in the Honors Program.

The project must be an independent research project ("reading" independent projects are not acceptable). Archival or library research, field research and laboratory research are all acceptable modes of inquiry for this project. In addition, students who wish to undertake a creative intellectual activity (such as the writing of a play or a short story) may ask for consideration of such activity as an acceptable substitute for research if undertaken with appropriate faculty advice.

All Independent Projects designed to meet Honors Program requirements must receive a letter grade (no "Pass/Fail" option) and must represent at least 3 credit hours of work. The product should consist of the preparation of an extended paper or laboratory experiment with appropriate report, or in the case of creative projects, a form determined in consultation with your adviser.

All Independent Projects to be submitted as partial fulfillment of Honors Program requirements must be approved in advance by the Director. Before a contract is accepted for review by the Director, the student must attend an Independent Project orientation session (sessions are scheduled regularly throughout each semester). Students complete the Honors Program Independent Project Contract (attached) before actually registering for the course.

1. Attend an independent project orientation session

This is required for everyone working on an Independent Project; your contract will not be accepted for review if you have not attended orientation. Typical question are answered, and strategies for planning the project are explored. Sessions are scheduled regularly throughout each semester; check in the Honors Program office to see when sessions will be held.

2. Brainstorm!

Short of specific ideas? Review notes from classes and class topics you enjoyed. Re-read books that were important to you. Talk with friends, faculty, and/or Honors alumni who did projects and learn what they most valued about the experience. Review your journal for highlights of your academic career: things that excited you or questions that intrigued you and remain unexamined. Is there a faculty member whose work you admire or with whom you would like to work on a closer basis? Talk with her or him about your goals and interests. Consult the file of sample projects in the Honors office. What would you like to accomplish in your undergraduate education that you have not yet been able to do?

3. Draft an idea

Try it out on some of the same people as above. What are the goals of your project? What questions will you try to answer? What skills will you develop or refine? What resources do you need to carry out your idea? What do you need to start? Has anything like it been done here -- or elsewhere -- before? Which faculty members have the experience or expertise to offer constructive criticism and advice? What can you do or read to learn more about your question or subject? Being concrete stimulates further thinking.

4. Define and refine your proposal

Compare the emerging proposal to the Honors Program description of the Independent Project: does it fulfill the spirit and the letter of the Honors Program requirements? Does it meet requirements for your major or college? You may be able to satisfy several requirements simultaneously. Title your project; this step often further clarifies its range and direction.

5. Choose an advisor

Identify and discuss how his/her expertise will assist in this project. Be certain that s/he will be available during the semesters you actually carry out your work and at the time when you will submit it for evaluation. Usually faculty receive no time off or official recognition for advising on this sort of project, so bear this generosity in mind during your interactions with your advisor.

6. Complete a project contract

The "syllabus" for your Independent Project takes the form of a proposal, which is also a contract. The proposal outlines the key points of your intended research and identifies method, resources, and features of the experience which make it appropriate to Honors Program learning goals. As with any syllabus, the nature of the work to be done and the process of evaluation must be spelled out, as well as the schedule. The contract portion of the proposal constitutes agreement between you and your advisor(s) to the terms which you have worked out; it represents a commitment of, as well as protection for, all involved and should be understood as such. Type or word process the contract, and prepare for submission in a professional manner.

7. Get contract approved by the director of the Honors Program

The Director serves as "outside reader" of all proposals, looking for clarity in presentation of the main elements, completeness, and coherence of the method, as well as raising questions informed by long experience with the ins and outs of Independent Projects.

8. Schedule regular conferences with your advisor

Keep in touch regularly, even if everything is going smoothly. You'll be rewarded with good ideas and renewed inspiration through regular, informal consultation; when things do not go according to plan, your advisor can offer valuable perspective.

9. Carry out the project as planned and keep in touch

As always, allow for the serendipity of creative work. Try to keep to your schedule (and we suggest that you plan that schedule generously from the outset, budgeting more time than you think you'll need for each step). If you get behind, do not -- repeat, do not -- disappear from the face of the earth out of embarrassment, to reappear only at the last minute for a deus ex machina solution to your problems. Let your advisor know of any difficulties as they develop. Together you can work out a mutually agreeable revised plan for completion.

10. Share a near-final draft of your work

Begin to bring the work to conclusion by writing a draft (if appropriate) and going over it with your advisor -- or with an Honors professor whose opinion you value -- for further constructive criticism.

11. Complete final draft

Revise to create a final product of which you can be proud. Pay attention to details of presentation; consult the Writing Center if you find yourself in need of an outside reader for any portion of the work.

12. Submit your project for evaluation

Do this in good time because your advisor may have other pressing commitments. Provide the Honors Program Office with a copy for our files. We will showcase completed projects during the course of your senior year.

Sophomore Year

• Attend an Independent Project Orientation Session
• Explore ideas (consult sample file); read
• Consult faculty in Honors, major or minor departments
• Identify project advisor
• Rough out project
• Become familiar with Project Contract and work out needed details
• Complete Project Contract the semester before you intend to register for credit and submit to the Honors Program office for review.

Sophomore-Junior Years

• Begin to carry out research or expressive project
• Keep advisor and Honors Program director apprised of progress, problems, etc.
• Complete Project Contract for Summer or Fall semesters if not already in progress
• Submit completed project to your advisor for evaluation per contract; s/he will forward copy of grade report to Honors Program Office.
• Submit completed project to the Honors Program Office in order that we have a record of your completion of this requirement.

First Semester Senior Year

• Same as above if not already completed
• By December, check to assure that we have record of your successful completion of this project
• Consider entering your project early next semester in the campus-wide Oswald Competition (deadline usually in late January)

Second Semester Senior Year

• Oswald Competition entries due - seven categories: Social Sciences Biological Sciences Physical & Engineering Sciences Design (architecture, landscape, interior) Fine Arts (various media) Humanities: Critical Research Humanities: Creative
• Showcase completed projects prior to Awards Reception