Undergraduate History Honors Program

Director, Judy Coffin, Associate Professor
GAR 2.206, 512–475–7235

Application Deadline: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012 - 4 p.m.
Turn applications in at: Undergraduate Advising Office, GAR 1.140
Honors Application (PDF, 70KB) and Honors Application Handout (PDF, 94KB)

The Honors Program in History gives students the opportunity to do independent research in the form of a senior thesis. It is a three-semester program with

• a small seminar on research and writing, usually in the spring of junior year,
• two semesters of independent research under the supervision of a faculty member, and
• a 50-70 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.

First Years and Sophomores

• 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.
• Students often want to combine Honors in History with study abroad, the Normandy Scholar Program, or other programs. In most cases, we can accommodate this, but it helps to plan ahead. See the Director.
• We encourage students enrolled in the Honors Program to take other undergraduate seminar courses (HIS 350Ls or HIS 350Rs) in their field of interest as soon as they can. These courses provide valuable background and writing experience.

Juniors: How to Apply

We choose participants based on their writing sample, strength of background, commitment, and grades. See Honors Application (PDF, 70KB)

Requirements:

• upper division standing
• a 3.0 GPA or better at The University of Texas at Austin
• plan to complete at least 60 hours at The University of Texas at Austin
• the motivation and ability to do intense research and writing

DOUBLE MAJORS, STUDY ABROAD, TRANSFERS, NORMANDY SCHOLARS:

• In many cases, students can combine Honors and studying abroad. Consult with the Honors Director. 
• Normandy Scholar Program (NSP) students may substitute an approved upper-division NSP History course for the HIS 347L requirement.
• Transfer students should consult 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.

Admitted Juniors and Seniors

Thesis writers are strongly encouraged to apply for the Rapoport-King Thesis Scholarships in the fall of their senior year.

JUNIOR YEAR

Spring ONLY - HIS 347L Seminar in Historiography (PDF, 44 KB)

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. That research is 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 50 and 70 pages in length and must earn a grade of no lower than "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.

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

Final requirements at graduation

From Course Catalog for 2010-2012, page 321-2:

The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the requirements of the major are:

1. History 347L, Seminar in Historiography, normally taken in the spring semester of the junior year; this course may be counted toward the thirty hours in history required for the major;
2. History 679H, Honors Tutorial Course, with a grade of at least B in each half;
3. Satisfactory performance on an oral examination centered on the thesis completed in History 679HB;
4. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in the coursework required for the major and for honors; and
5. Completion in residence at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Normandy Scholar Program (NSP) students may substitute an approved upper-division NSP history course for the History 347L requirement.

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

Last updated: September 28, 2012