Undergraduate History Honors Program

Director, Judy Coffin, Associate Professor
GAR 2.122, 512–475–7235

Tues., Sept. 22, 2009, 3-4 p.m.: Info Session on Honors Program presented by Director Coffin; GAR 1.102
Application Deadline: Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 - 4 p.m.
Honors Application 2009 (PDF, 72KB) and Honors Application Handout 2009 (PDF, 124KB)

The Honors Program in History aims to provide ambitious students the opportunity to do independent research in the form of a senior thesis. It is a three-semester program that begins with a small seminar on research and writing and continues with two semesters of independent research under the supervision of a faculty member and the completion of a 60-120 page thesis.

Since the program consists of one spring semester and two full semesters afterwards, students should apply during the early fall of their junior year. The Undergraduate Advising Office in Garrison (GAR) 1.140, will have application materials and deadline information. Those considering the honors program may consult with the Director or the Advising Office in their freshman or sophomore years for advice about preparation and scheduling. We encourage interested students to take upper division courses and seminars as soon their schedule and background permit.

I. Eligibility for Honors Program

We choose participants based on their writing sample, strength of background, commitment, and grades.

Requirements to apply:

• have upper division standing
• have at least a 3.0 GPA at TheUniversity of Texas at Austin
• plan to remain at the university for the next three semesters and complete at least 60 hours at The University of Texas at Austin
• show the desire and ability to do intense research and writing

DOUBLE MAJORS, STUDY ABROAD, TRANSFERS, ETC.

• Transfer students may apply.
• Students interested in honors and studying abroad should consult with the honors director.
• Students hoping to do honors programs in two different majors (e.g., Government and History) need to write two separate theses or seek departmental honors in only one of their two majors.
• Plan II majors seeking "Special Honors in History" through the History Honors Program, should apply to the program and, once accepted, meet with the Plan II advisors to review procedures and options.

II. Program Coursework — The History Honors Program consists of:

JUNIOR YEAR
Spring ONLY — HIS 347L Seminar in Historiography-W (PDF, 44 KB) (substantial writing component)

Offered only in the spring, and taught by the Honors Director. The seminar in historiography is designed to prepare students for their senior research projects. Students are introduced to a variety of historical methods and approaches, they are required to write a thesis prospectus, and, with the help of the Honors Director, they choose a thesis advisor from the History faculty.

SENIOR YEAR
Fall — HIS 679HA Honors Tutorial Course (senior thesis, first semester)
Spring — HIS 679HB Honors Tutorial Course (senior thesis, second semester)

Each honors student researches and writes a senior thesis during the fall and spring semesters following HIS 347L. That work will be supervised by a History faculty advisor. The thesis must be based on the student's independent and original research in primary as well as secondary sources. It is usually between 60 and 120 pages in length and must earn a grade of "A" or "B" to qualify the student for "Special Honors in History" upon graduation.

The faculty thesis advisor and a second reader grade each thesis. The second reader is usually an historian whose field is related to that of the thesis. In some cases, in which another discipline is involved, the second reader may be a member of another department. The honors director, the thesis advisor, and the student work out a timetable for completing the various stages of the work so that the thesis can be submitted a month prior to the end of the spring semester. Failure to complete the requirements by applicable deadlines will keep the student from graduating and/or receiving certain honors.

History 347L counts toward the 30-hour history credit minimum required for the History major; History 679HA and 679HB do not.

NOTE FROM HONORS DIRECTOR: We encourage students enrolled in the Honors Program to take other undergraduate seminar courses (History 350Ls) in their field of interest. They provide valuable background and writing experience.

III. Final requirements at graduation

To earn "Special Honors in History" a student must complete:

• all requirements to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, History major;
• HIS 347L, HIS 679HA, HIS 679HB, with grades of "A" or "B;"
• at least 60 semester hours of coursework in residence at The University of Texas;
• and have a University grade point average of at least 3.0
• and a GPA in History of at least 3.5.

Failure to meet all requirements will not keep a student from graduating, but the student would not receive "Special Honors in History."

SPRING ONLY—Substantial writing component

Last updated: Sept. 1, 2009