Department of Classics

Graduating with Honors at the University of Florida

UF has three types of honors designations:

• There is a university-wide Honors Program, which consists of the Freshman Honors Program and the University Honors Program. It offers wide-ranging intellectual, experiential learning, and outreach opportunities. It has rigorous completion requirements.
• “Honors” is also a designation for outstanding graduates of the university. Students who meet minimum upper-division GPA requirements (in CLAS, 3.5 or higher) automatically graduate with honors (cum laude). See Graduating with Honors
• Finally, individual departments offer specialized honors tracks for their outstanding majors. Upon completion of the program, a student is designated as graduating with either high honors (magna cum laude) or highest honors (summa cum laude).

Graduating with Honors from the Department of Classics

Graduating with honors from the Department of Classics involves writing a thesis. A project of original research, the honors thesis must develop a clear argument. Ideally, it is based on research into primary materials, though the choice of topic may dictate otherwise. For example, a substantial translation, commentary, or database is also possible. Students pursuing another major or minor in combination with Classics may design a thesis topic that incorporates these related disciplines and interests.

Students who participate in the Classics Honors Program are strongly encouraged to apply for to the Center for Undergraduate Research , CLAS Scholars Program, Center for Greek Studies scholarships, and study abroad programs. Check out study abroad opportunities offered through the UF International Center.

APPLICATION

Deadlines

• For May graduation: Apply by September 15, receive confirmation by October 1
• For December graduation: Apply by April 15, receive confirmation by May 1
• For Summer graduation: not available

You can always apply early and even complete the thesis before your last year.

Contents

1. 1. Cover Page:
      • Name
      • Date of intended graduation
      • Title of project
      • Faculty Advisor name and email
      • List of applications for funding for the project
   2. Project description: a 250-500-word statement outlining a viable thesis topic. This may include a basic introduction to the proposed project, a set of research questions, a list of primary sources to be consulted, and, if possible, and a brief bibliography of secondary sources. While professors will assist in the process of defining a topic, it is up to the students to identify one that will maintain their interest for one or two semesters; will be based in extensive engagement with sources; and has a manageable scope. The project description demonstrates feasibility of the project by the intended date of graduation.
   3. An email statement from your Faculty Advisor indicating that they have approved your topic and are willing to direct your thesis the following academic year.
   4. Ideally Proof of Application to the Center for Undergraduate Research, CLAS Scholars Program, and any study abroad programs and funding which provide support for the project.

Email the application to the Undergraduate Coordinator.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Once approved, the student agrees to:

1. 1. Register for CLA 4911. Complete the Department independent study form with details about expectations and timeline to completion. Student and advisor agree on credit hour(s).
   2. Submit an electronic copy of the thesis to the UF Institutional Repository on or before the last day of classes (not the last day of finals week or the day that grades are due). For guidelines, follow instructions at http://guides.uflib.ufl.edu/ufir/honors_theses.
   3. Complete the honors thesis on or before the last day of classes (not the last day of finals week or the day that grades are due). This ensures that the honors are reported in time for the commencement program.
   4. Classics majors complete CLA 4931: Classics Capstone Seminar. As per the catalog description, please refer to the requirement for the capstone as a research paper:
      • CLA 4931 Classics Capstone SeminarIntroduces scholarly literature on a significant topic in classics. Students will write a research paper showing proper use of primary and secondary sources on the topic.
      • The research paper for the capstone may be developed into an honors thesis; however, the honors thesis must demonstrate significantly broader scope, range, and depth of sources, analysis, and conclusions.

Honors Designations

High Honors (magna cum laude) is awarded to a student who maintains an upper division GPA of 3.5 or higher and completes their thesis to their advisor’s satisfaction by the end of their final semester (exact date agreed upon by student/Faculty Advisor).

Highest Honors (summa cum laude) is awarded to a student who maintains an upper division GPA of 3.5 or higher and their thesis exceeds the requirements specified in the independent study form for CLA 4911 and/or the thesis exceeds their advisor’s expectations by the end of their final semester (exact date agreed upon by student/Faculty Advisor).

For highest honors (summa cum laude), the thesis must exceed expectations in these three areas:

Argument: What is the central argument of the thesis under consideration? Is it clearly articulated? How original is the argument? Is it derivative, merely recapitulating the arguments of other scholars, or is it opening new ground or at least approaching the historical problem from a new perspective or angle and thus making a distinctive contribution to the field? How well does the student understand the historiography of his/her topic, and how effectively does he/she position the thesis in that general field?

Evidence:  What is the source base from which the student is working? To what extent is the argument of the thesis based on the student’s analysis of primary sources? What type of secondary sources does the student draw from? How comprehensive is the body of secondary material on which the thesis is based, and is it effectively deployed to support the paper’s main argument?

Writing: Honors theses that are awarded highest honors must be well written. Awkward prose, sloppy editing, muddied arguments and a disorganized structure undercut a thesis’s effectiveness.