The thesis itself should reflect sustained engagement with a significant source base. Its length might range from 30 to 50 pages, double-spaced (12-point font). It should posit a clear and original thesis that is firmly situated in, and extends, the existing historiography. It should sustain its primary source-based argument throughout, with carefully crafted prose and a well-organized structure. Ultimately, the paper should fulfill the argumentative and stylistic expectations of a peer-review journal article, including, among other aspects, full Chicago-style footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography. For guidance on these requirements, students may refer to the style guides of Wayne Booth, Mary Rampolla, or Kate Turabian.
Suggested timeline for spring of junior year through fall of senior year:
Students should discuss the possibility of undertaking a thesis with a History faculty member in the spring of their junior year. At that time, the student and faculty member should agree on a
topic of an appropriate scope. Students should begin reading sources over the summer. If they are off campus, students can utilize e-sources in the ULS for this purpose. Honors theses do not require travel to archives, but if students study abroad or if they have access to domestic archives, they may want to include sources from these locations.
In the fall of their senior year, thesis students will register for History 1901 with their thesis adviser. Throughout that semester, the student should hone their research question, polish their understanding of the secondary sources, and identify and engage their primary source base. By the end of the term, they should be able to compose a detailed historiography that situates their own working thesis within the current literature. By the end of the fall term, the thesis student, in consultation with their adviser, should approach at least one other University of Pittsburgh faculty member to form their committee.
Suggested timeline for spring of senior year:
For the spring term of their senior year, students will register for History 1903 with their thesis adviser. They should begin the term ready to write, and they should have a full rough draft by mid-February. After sufficiently revising the thesis under the guidance of their adviser, the student should share the thesis draft with their other committee member(s). Together, they should set a date, no later than April 7, for the presentation and oral examination. The presentation and oral examination may be announced to, and attended by, members of the Pitt History community. The discussion at this event will explore ways that the student might pursue their topic further -- both in graduate school and in non-academic professional contexts -- as well as publication possibilities. The committee may ask for further revisions after the examination. After approval by the committee, the final draft should be submitted, including its signed title page, (see History Advising Canvas module for a link to title page) to the History adviser by April 15. All theses submitted by this date will be entered in the competition for the annual William Stanton Thesis Prize. Each student completing a thesis will be recognized at the annual celebration of undergraduate research as well as History Department graduation events.