Art History majors pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree are encouraged to write an honors thesis if they meet all of the following criteria:
- A cumulative average in all coursework at the college of 3.0 or above.
- An average in Art History coursework at the college of 3.5 or above and
- Completion of 21 or more credits in Art History.
Application must be made at the beginning of the last semester of the junior year.
Honors students will enroll in ARH 461 and ARH 462, Honors Thesis in Art History I and II (three credits each). Credit for ARH 461 will not be allowed unless ARH 462 is completed; only three of these six credits may be used towards completion of the 36 credit major.
Students writing an honors thesis will undertake independent study on a subject chosen by the student in consultation with the faculty, approved by the department chair, and supervised by the appropriate member of the faculty. The thesis should rely as much as possible on research in original source materials, but it may also involve reinterpretation of familiar materials. Ordinarily, the thesis will be of 30 to 50 pages, have proper documentation, and be illustrated. A copy of the thesis will remain in the department. Successful completion of the thesis—indicated by a grade of B+ or better in ARH 461 and ARH 462—will result in the student graduating with honors in Art History, a distinction that will appear on the college transcript.
Questions regarding the honors thesis should be directed to the chair of the Art History department.
