Thesis Examination (defense)

Instructions for conducting the thesis defense

The Council examiner bears formal responsibility for conducting the defense and delivering the Defense Form to the Council co-chair; however, the advisor and Council representative may agree to allow the advisor to chair the defense and submit the forms described below. The entire committee should agree beforehand whether consensus or majority vote will determine the outcome of the defense. All defenses must be completed by the end of the day on April 25, 2008. The signed and completed Honors Thesis Defense form (click to access a copy of the form -- .pdf) must be returned by Tuesday, April 29, 2008 to either Professor John Westbrook in Marts 206 or to Ruth Robenolt, Foreign Languages Program Academic Assistnat in Vaughan Lit 200.

Instructions for the Miller Prize (best Honors Thesis)

If a student is nominated for the Miller Prize (click to access description -- .pdf), a letter making a case for consideration must be signed by all three examiners and returned to Professor John Westbrook by Monday, April 28, 2008. The letter that requests consideration of a candidate for the Miller Prize must be accompanied by a copy of the thesis, including an abstract. The thesis and the supporting letters will be made available to subcommittee members through temporary reserve in the library. Theses will be returned to the advisor after the final decision has been made.

Council members who have not submitted nominations will make up the Miller Prize subcommittee. The subcommittee will meet immediately after April 28, 2008 to consider nominees and construct a short list of candidates. If your candidate is on the short list, you will be asked to attend the final selection meeting to present the merits of the candidate's thesis. The final choice must be made by May 8, 2008. If the Council representative is unable to attend the subcommittee meeting, the second reader may serve as the subcommittee member.