MEMORANDUM
October 16, 1991
- To:Members of the Faculty
- From:The Educational Policy Committee
- Re:Theses for double majors
In response to questions, suggestions, and requests from various
departments and programs, the Educational Policy Committee
endorses the following thesis option for students with a double
major:
- For a double major, the traditional option is to complete two
separate one- or two-semester theses, if required, one for each
of the majors. It may be appropriate and desirable for such a
student to meet the thesis requirements of both majors by
completing a single, two-semester thesis that is
interdisciplinary in nature, i.e., integrates the two
disciplines involved in the double major. This option could
have the heuristically valuable effect of encouraging a student
to integrate two areas of interest, thereby overcoming the
potentially artificial separation implied by two majors and
theses. The choice to complete such a single thesis would
appropriately be the student's, subject to approval by the
departments or programs involved.
This endorsement of a single, two-semester interdisciplinary
thesis option seems to be well within the current college and
departmental/program guidelines, and does not represent new policy
or require new legislation. We note that the completion of such a
single, two-semester thesis will require at least as much work as
the current minimally acceptable requirement of completing two
one-semester theses, i.e., a student choosing this option does not
reduce the already established requirements. To insure that a
student cannot reduce that current reguirement, a single,
interdisciplinary one-semester thesis to meet the requirements of
both departments/programs would not be acceptable. Note also that
this combined thesis will receive no more than two semesters of
course credit toward graduation.
Important details such as whether there would be one or more
advisors, who would insure that the thesis is interdisciplinary
and representative of both majors, who would do the grading, etc.,
are appropriately left to the departments and programs.
This option enables a student with a double major to complete a
single interdisciplinary Honors thesis to meet the requirements of
both majors. The makeup of the honors panel for that thesis will
be determined by the Honors Study Committee, presumably in
consultation with the departments or programs involved.