This interdisciplinary honors program provides interested and qualified students an opportunity to explore the relations between history and literature. The history and literature honors student must complete a major in either history (40 credits) or English (36 credits) and a minor in the other field (20 credits in English; 20 credits in history). A student may also double major in history and English.
To be considered for honors in history and literature, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
1. Prospective majors must seek the approval of the coordinators of the program to undertake this major. Qualifying students must have a 3.5 GPA in the major subject.
2. Students must complete two classes on methodology: The Historian's Craft (HST 200, 4 credits), normally offered in the fall; and Gateway to the Major (ENG 301, 4 credits), normally offered each semester. These courses also fulfill major and minor requirements in each department.
3. The student must complete one honors seminar in English or history. The honors seminar may also fulfill a major or minor requirement.
4.The student must complete an interdisciplinary honors thesis under the joint direction of one professor in history and one professor in English. To write a thesis, the student should register for Independent Study in the major department (ENG 510 or HST 510). Normally, the student should undertake one credit of 510 in the fall semester of the senior year and three credits of 510 in the spring semester of the senior year. Independent Study (510) may fulfill an elective in the major. Any student who completes 510 will receive credit for the course; however, projects completed in 510 must also be approved by the history and English departments to satisfy the requirement for honors.
5. The student must provide an oral defense of the honors thesis, to be evaluated and approved by faculty from both departments.
6. Honors students must finish their coursework in the major and minor with a GPA of 3.5.
7. In special circumstances (such as the case of transfer students), particular exceptions to the requirements above will be considered.
Interdisciplinary Advising in History and Literature
To facilitate this process, and to help the student select appropriate courses in both departments, the student should seek advising as follows:
1. The student should see the coordinators of the program during advising periods to ensure that departmental requirements and honors requirements for the major and minor are being met. The coordinators will also help the student to identify potential thesis advisors and to coordinate interdepartmental aspects of the program such as the oral defense. Finally, the coordinators will guide the student in selecting courses in the department that are particularly interdisciplinary in approach or that are appropriate to the student's focus. For example, a student may be directed to courses in both departments on American History and Literature of the 19th Century or on Women in History and Literature.
2. The student must select two thesis advisors, one from history and one from English. These advisors will help the student identify a thesis topic and guide him or her through the writing process, and may also help the student to select courses appropriate to his or her research interests.
