Guidelines for the Greek & Roman Studies Major Senior Thesis
The following timetable gives the main steps. This paper should be between 30-35 pages, depending on the topic. Students can enroll in 499 either Fall or Spring of their senior year. Preparation work must be donethe semester BEFORE registering for 499.
*Double majors are encouraged to do one of their senior papers their Jr. year or in the opposite senior term.
**Honors research papers are significantly longer and involve two semesters of 499; the number of these is limited to one or two per year.
Term BEFORE registering for 499:
Confirm your specific topic.
Select a primary thesis advisor from the GRS faculty members (Sultan, Sullivan, or Coles)
Background reading: read or re-read the relevant primary sources, and any secondary materials you and your advisor have identified so far.
Submit to your advisor for approval a 700-800 word abstract of your thesis, which explains what you will argue and the methodology you will use, along with a preliminary bibliography.
Term of completion (Fall or Spring of senior year)
Register for GRS 499
Working with your thesis advisor, select a second reader from inside or outside the GRS program.
Meet regularly with your thesis advisor.
Complete your research and begin organizing and writing.
Give a complete first draft to your thesis advisor at least three weeks before the end of term.
Second reader may see drafts, as you and he/she consider appropriate.
Schedule the oral defense of your thesis for exam week.
Submit the official bound copy to your thesis advisor at the end of term.
Students are expected to present a 10-minute version of their paper at the April Ides Event, and encouraged also to present at the John Wesley Powell Conference.
