Departmental Thesis Requirements

The School of Dance allows creative and/or scholarly research projects which may include a scholarly research paper, an original choreogrpahic work, an embodied experience of performing repertoire or newly created works by others, and/or a Screen Dance. Original formatting ideas for the honors thesis may be permitted if discussed and approved by the Designated Honors Liaison and the Faculty Thesis Mentor.

The thesis should contribute original research in the student's area of study that generates new knowledge. Creative research should be accompanied by a written paper giving context for the work, reflecting on the process, and including any relevant scholarly research.

Each academic department submits the specific requirements that must be met for a successful Honors thesis in its respective major. If you are seeking more information on your department’s thesis requirements, please contact your Departmental Honors Liaison and/or the Honors Thesis Team in the Honors College.

Faculty Thesis Mentors

Any full-time faculty member of the School of Dance is eligible to be a Faculty Thesis Mentor including career-line and tenure-line faculty. Faculty outside the department, adjuncts, or visiting faculty may be eligible if approved by the Designated Honors Liaison. Students should be aware that some faculty members such as adjuncts often do not have service duties as part of their job description and are under no obligation to agree to mentor a thesis. If a Faculty Thesis Mentor leaves the University, the DHL will assist in finding a replacement or take on the role of mentor.

Collaborative Theses

Yes, collaborative theses are permitted; however each Honors student must submit their own individual written portion of the honors thesis and each student will be evaluated separately.

Joint Thesis

Yes, a joint thesis is permitted pursuant on approval from all participating departments and that is sufficient in scope to satisfy the requirements for each department's honors thesis.

Departmental coursework supporting Thesis

An honors thesis can springboard off of coursework but must include work/research in addition to graded coursework for a class.

Additional information for students

Honors students should meet with the DHL prior to proposing their honors thesis to discuss ideas and potential thesis mentors during the spring semeter of their third year of study. The student is responsible for knowing and meeting the deadlines for the Thesis Proposal and Final Thesis Submission. The student is responsible for setting a timeline for the thesis project, organizing progress check-ins/feedback, and for regularly communicating with the DHL and the Faculty Thesis Mentor during the process. This includes submitting drafts of scholarly research and/or arranging observation of rehearsals or video recordings during the process. A draft of the final written portion of the thesis must be submitted to both the DHL and the Faculty Thesis Mentor a minimum of 4 weeks before the University Thesis Submission Deadline to address possible edits.