The Honors Program
Senior Honors Thesis
During the Senior year, Honors students must complete a major project. This involves
independent study directed by a faculty member, who will assist in writing the proposal
for the final project, as well as the project itself. The timelines associated with the
thesis proposal and the final research project are noted in the catalogue. Approved
proposals and major projects are available from the Director of the Honors program.
The Honors project is a substantial work, usually in, but not necessarily limited
to, the student's major. The project is an opportunity for the student to explore a
topic of interest while completing required course work for graduation.
3/20/06: Senior honors thesis proposals due for December graduates
4/3/06: Senior honors theses due for May graduates
4/24/06, LVC, 7 - 9 pm: Senior honors thesis presentations for May graduates
4/25/06, LVC, 7 - 9 pm: Senior honors thesis presentations for May graduates
Below are some of the examples of Honors Projects that have been submitted by
students in the Honors Program.
- Egypt and the Art Curriculum
- Designing an Effective Web-Based Introduction to Computer Courses
- Fuel to the Fire: U.S. Government Action in Iran During the Reign of
Muhammad Reza
- Shah Pahlavi and the Anti-Americanism of the Second Iranian Revolution
- Irish Female Voices
- The Challenge of Grace and the Cross: A Theology of Suffering
- The "Brownlash" Movement: A Tangible Threat
- Preschoolers' Mindreading Ability: Metacognitive Contributions to the Development
of Theory of Mind
- From Plato to Derrida and Rorty: An Essay Upon the Continued Vitality of Ethics
- An Insight Into the Historical Background of Medical Illustration
- Candy-Colored Clowns: Carnival, the Grotesque, and Self-Realization in Selected
Works of Flannery O'Connor and David Lynch
- The Power of the Media in Vietnam
- Analysis of Limit in Basic Calculus
- Effect of Potassium Cyanati as an Inhibitor of Erythrocytic Sickling in Vitro
Proposal Guidelines
To enable the Honors Committee to give fair and constructive consideration of each
proposal, the organization of the proposal should ordinarily follow this outline.
I. Introduction
A. General Description of the problem/project
Brief statement of what the project, its focus, scope, purpose, audience, goals, and
significance. Be sure to clarify how the project contributes to the field, topic, or area
of interest. Please note, too, that projects should be focused enough to facilitate
completion in a timely manner.
B. Literature Review
Sometimes called an "annotated bibliography," this literature review should
not only offer a summary of the secondary sources, it should offer some preliminary
conclusions, interpretations, and definitions of trends in either the research, the
topic, or the area of interest.
At the conclusion of the review, the student should present the issues or questions
that will shape the honors project.
C. Formal (though tentative) description of the project
Brief summary statement of problems.
Method(s) for conducting study or project.
List of critical research questions/hypotheses.
Methods
Every academic discipline has particular methods for research. If the topic is
interdisciplinary, the student should ensure that the project design covers all methods
appropriate to the topic. If the student plans to use questionnaires, statistical surveys,
case studies, or interviews, drafts and preliminary tests should be presented to the
committee at the time of the proposal. A detailed description of every step involved in
carrying out the project should be included. All technical terms should be defined for
readers who may not be familiar with the topic.
The Committee Chairperson must receive all proposals at least 48 hours prior to the
meeting at which it will be considered. Both the student and advisor should be present
at the proposal discussion meeting.
II. Preparing for the Public Presentation
There are several suggestions to assist in preparing for the Public Presentation.
Utilizing these suggestions will enable the student to be thoroughly prepared to present
the topic to a public audience.
Time Constraints: Remember, the student has only 15-20 minutes in which to present a
summary of the study/research. This is a very short segment and it might help to remember
the purposes of the public presentation when preparing for it.
A. Purposes of Public Presentation:
The Public Presentation serves many functions:
- It fulfills the requirement for graduating with Honors from Ohio Dominican
University.
- It is an opportunity to share with family, friends, peers, and faculty the focus
and results of the research of the Honors student.
- It is a source of encouragement to other Honors and potential Honors students at
Ohio Dominican University who might be encouraged to read the entire document at their
leisure.
- It gives the student an opportunity to demonstrate the expertise and learning
related to the specialized topic by fielding questions from the audience.
B. Prepare a script for the presentation.
The student should not assume that familiarity with the topic alone will be sufficient
preparation for the presentation. The student should take into account the public nature
of the event and the fact that stress may render the presenter nervous. It is helpful to
script the presentation in LARGE PRINT on sheets of paper or cards - whichever makes the
student feel more comfortable handling while speaking. A suggested outline to follow is
provided below:
- What was the main purpose(s) of the study?
- Was there some personal reason for the choice or topic?
- How was the study and analysis conducted?
- What did the student find?
- What did the student learn?
Remember - people who want all the details must access the entire study - it is
appropriate to share enough information so people will want to read further
themselves!
The student should consider adding visual and/or auditory aids if they will assist the
audience by clarifying large amounts of information, or spark interest. If the student
plans on using equipment, it is wise to ask a friend to assist during the presentation
so that the student only has to focus on the oral presentation.
The student should share a draft of the presentation with the Advisor, Reader, or
the Director of the Honors Program - whoever has the most time available to meet with
the student when necessary. It is important to get some specific feedback on the content
and on the style of the presentation.
The student should rehearse the presentation in its entirety several times. It helps
to practice with a friend who will time the presentation and indicate when there are only
2 minutes, then 1 minute remaining.
The student should visit the venue where the actual presentation will take place in
order to alleviate some stress. It is well to rehearse there if possible.
Students who follow these guidelines will not only be an expert on their projects,
but they will also be thoroughly prepared to "share the fruits of their
contemplation" with an academic audience.
