The following offers a typical schedule of the thesis program over the course of the junior and senior years.  An annual update, giving a precise calendar, is also available.

Junior Year –

• Fall Semester:  Mind your grades!  Students must have a GPA in the major of 3.0 or better in order to write a Senior Thesis.
• Spring Semester:  Begin thinking seriously about a topic.  Talk with several faculty and determine which instructor could best serve as your advisor.  With the agreement of that instructor, you should register for ARTH 398 at Advanced Registration time.

Summer –

• There are a number of things a student can do to get ready for the Fall Semester.  You may want to prepare a bibliography in May or June (reviewed by your advisor) and dig into some reading.  You may also wish to travel to undertake primary research – conduct interviews with artists in LA, explore Documenta in Kassel, photograph churches in Burgundy, or film the Palio in Siena.  The Department’s Thune travel grants can assist in defraying some expenses.

Senior Year –

• September:  Complete the necessary paperwork, which includes the Honors Thesis Proposal Form.  This should be submitted to the Undergraduate Chair in September.  This form identifies your specific thesis topic and faculty advisor.
• October, November:  Conduct your research, meet with your advisor.  At Advanced Registration, register for ARTH 398 for Spring Semester.  Also, submit Part 2 of the Thesis Proposal Form, giving the final title of your thesis.
• December:  Honors Thesis Colloquium that convenes all seniors writing theses, their advisors, and other faculty and students.  Each student presents his/her topic as a brief lecture of 15-20 minutes.
• January, February:  Continue with research and begin writing.  By the end of February, you should submit a rough draft to your advisor.
• March:  Submit two final copies (one to your advisor and one to the Undergraduate Chair).
• April:  Announcement of the David M. Robb Thesis Prize.