Honors

General

Students are expected to present evidence of superior language skills and a serious interest in research involving the language(s) and culture(s) of study.

Students will complete the normal major requirements along with their honors concentration work.

Thesis

• Students must produce a thesis in the language of study incorporating the results of individual research, demonstrating a substantial piece of work
• Students should understand clearly the expectations of their faculty advisor--including number of drafts, due dates for drafts and final versions, and frequency of meetings--before starting their thesis project
• In addition to their own research, students will be assigned readings relating to their topic of research by their faculty advisor
• Students enroll in Senior Honors Courses 491 (fall term) and 492 (winter term) in FRENCH, ITALIAN, ROMLANG, or SPANISH 
• Upon completion of their thesis, students will have a one-hour discussion of their thesis and their assigned readings with their faculty advisor and an additional faculty member 
  

The recommended deadline for applications (which includes the thesis proposal) is the second Monday in April of the year prior to the start of a student's senior year. However, late applications will be considered.

Applications should be submitted to: rll.mailbox@umich.edu

Students are encouraged to select a faculty member whose research interests most closely matches their own to become their faculty advisor. Many students ask faculty that they have studied with previously. However, students should contact the honors advisor in their language of study, if they cannot find a suitable faculty member.

Faculty profiles, including faculty areas of research can be found in the faculty directory. Only individuals with the title of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, or Lec III/IV are eligible to advise honors theses.

Questions regarding research techniques and assistance should be directed to a student's faculty advisor.

Students are expected to conduct their research during the fall term of their senior year.

Library Research Guides

Language-specific research guides and contact information for RLL librarian liaisons can be found here.

Below are examples of the title page, table of contents, and bibliography expected for the honors thesis. Examples provided courtesy of Erin O'Keefe '10.

sample title page (PDF)

sample table of contents (PDF)

sample bibliography (PDF)