SLAV-T499 is for students writing a departmental honors thesis (or similarly advanced, ambitious work, such as a substantial translation into English from a departmental language or a major creative project) under the guidance of a departmental faculty member. It may be taken for a chosen number of credit hours per semester (1–6 credits) to initiate the project (typically in the fall semester), and in a subsequent semester for a chosen number of credit hours per semester (1–6 credits) to complete the thesis (typically the semester of graduation, typically the spring semester). Students can earn up to a maximum of SLAV-T499 credit, which can count toward a student's SLAV major as well as their 120 hours to graduate.
SLAV Departmental Honors
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- work independently, utilizing self-discipline and time and energy management, under the guidance of a mentor;
- support a structured argument synthesized through extensive, multi-perspective analysis, with convincing evidence from primary and secondary sources and from their own original conclusions;
- express themselves in writing and verbally in discipline-specific academic language and academic style;
- design, propose, complete, write up, and defend an ambitious research project, in preparation for work or graduate study;
- present their research clearly and engagingly to a general audience and members of the academic community;
Eligibility
Description of SLAV Departmental Honors in the 2024–20254 Undergraduate Bulletin:
https://bulletin.college.indiana.edu/programs/4245/SLAV-HON/
Outstanding undergraduate students in Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures may be eligible for participation in the departmental honors program. Students seeking honors are also encouraged to enroll in honors and graduate sections.
Requirements
- Senior Honors Seminar. One (1) course: SLAV-S 499 Senior Honors Seminar {will soon become SLAV-T499 Senior Honors Thesis} (1–6 credit hours; prerequisites: Approval of the departmental honors committee)
- Capstone Project. Successful completion of an approved senior capstone project.
- Major GPA. A Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures major grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.500 is required.
- College GPA. A College grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.300 is required.
Honors Requirement Exceptions and Substitutions
Exceptions to and substitutions for honors requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.
MOU Between Student and Sponsor (to be filed with DUS and department)
This MOU (memorandum of understanding)—to be filled out and filed with the department for every semester of SLAV-T499—will help clarify expectations between the student and sponsor. With your faculty sponsor, fill in the PDF (available from the DUS or the department) with the following information and then file it with the SLAV director of undergraduate studies (Dr. Jeff Holdeman, jeffhold@iu.edu) and with a SLAV administrative assistant. A sample of an MOU is available in the departmental honors syllabus.
The College of Arts