Honors Program

The department offers a special program of advanced study for outstanding undergraduates majoring in literature. Admission to this program requires an overall GPA of 3.5, a literature major GPA of 3.7, and enrollment in one of the Literature Department capstone courses (LTWR 194 for Writing majors and LTWL 194 for all other Literature majors, both offered every Fall Quarter) at the beginning of the senior year.  During Fall Quarter, students meeting these requirements will be invited to participate in the Honors Program. Interested students who do not (but are very close) to the GPA requirements may be eligible to petition to participate in the program.  Students should contact the Undergraduate Advisor for more details. 

During the Winter Quarter of their senior year, all honors students will write their thesis paper under the supervision of a faculty advisor chosen by the student (while enrolled in an Honors Thesis independent study course, LT__ 196). The Honors Program concludes with the Spring Quarter Honors Program conference within the department, where students present their research or creative piece and answer questions from attendees (other Honors Program students and Literature Department faculty).  Honors students will enroll in LTWL 194A (1-unit) in Spring Quarter to receive credit for these presentations.  Each student's performance on the thesis project, as well as at their presentation, will determine the level of honors they will receive.

The Literature capstone course and thesis course may be applied toward major requirements, if applicable. Students should contact the Undergraduate Advisor to determine how the courses might apply to their remaining requirements.

There are two undergraduate awards offered each year that are dedicated to the Honors Program.  The Burckhardt Honors Award is bestowed upon the highest rated literary/cultural criticism thesis project, and the Sherley Williams Memorial Award is bestowed upon the highest rated literary arts thesis project.  Past winners of these awards can be seen on the Past Participants page.

Courses for the Honors Program

Fall Quarter: Literature Dept Capstone Courses

LTWL 194 - Capstone Course for Lit Majors

An advanced seminar open to all Literature majors in their senior year.  Required for those interested in the Honors Program.  It offers an integrative experience by considering key facets of the discipline, including literature theories/historiography, knowledge of neighboring disciplines, relevance of literature/cultural studies in various professions outside of academia.

LTWR 194 - Capstone Course for Writing Majors

An advanced seminar open to all Writing majors in their senior year.  Required for those interested in the Honors Program.  It offers an integrative experience by considering key facets of the discipline and profession, including genre writing, craft/technique, literary theories/theories of writing, the relationship between aesthetics/culture and politics, and distribution/publication.

Winter Quarter: Honors Thesis Courses

LT__ 196 - Honors Thesis

Senior thesis research and writing for students who have been accepted for the Literature Honors Program.

Spring Quarter: Honors Conference Presentation

LTWL 194A - Honors Practicum

Honors practicum for those students in the Literature Department Honors Program.  This is a 1-unit course for which students in the Honors Program will present their work as part of organized panels at an Honors Program conference (within the department).  Students will receive a P/NP grade for LTWL 194A for completing the presentation.