Who should take this course?
All history majors (see notes below) are required to write a major paper. Students who are completing an individualized plan of study—such as a Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS), an Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (IDIM), or an Inter-College Program (ICP)—with a strong concentration in History may also write their major paper as an enrolled student in History 4961W with the consent of the instructor.
NOTE FOR DOUBLE MAJORS: If you are double majoring in another College of Liberal Arts (CLA) department, you do not need to complete a Major Paper in History if you opt to complete a senior project in that second major. Please inform the history undergraduate advisors as soon as possible if you choose this route.
NOTE FOR HONORS STUDENTS: If you are in the Honors College and planning on graduating with honors in History, you do not have to take the Major Paper course. You are expected to take the How To Do History and either 4961V or one 5000-level proseminar. See the history undergraduate advisors for more details.
NOTE FOR SUMMA STUDENTS: If you are in the Honors College and considering completing a Summa Thesis, it is possible to take the Major Paper course to help facilitate the research and writing of that paper. Talk with your Summa faculty advisor and the history undergraduate advisors to get more information about this option.
