S p a n i s h

F r e n c h

TBA

TBA

3. For successful completion of the thesis, the quality of language as well as content must satisfy the departmental standards of excellence.

This document signed below by student _____________________________________

verifies that he/she understands and agrees to follow the schedule and procedure for writing the senior thesis in Spanish as outlined in the thesis guidelines by the Department of Modern Languages and Literature.   Please read the statements below and check to verify agreement.

___ I have read the three documents (Guidelines, Preparation of Materials, Propuesta de la tesis) for writing my senior thesis in Spanish and understand their contents.

___ I also understand that I am to attend a series of sessions led by a Spanish professor from the thesis committee in the Fall semester of my senior year in order to prepare my proposal due to the thesis committee on the last day of September.

___ I understand what constitutes plagiarism and academic integrity and will consult my thesis director regarding any questions I may have concerning this issue.                                  

By signing I also agree to submit all thesis materials my senior year by these dates or otherwise petition to the thesis committee for more time or I will receive an Incomplete.  I understand that the thesis committee has the right to reject such a petition if they consider it to be unreasonable.  A reasonable petition for more time might be based upon verified illness, family emergency or some other serious and unavoidable situation.  All materials and petitions should be turned in to the office of the secretary of the Department of Modern Languages and Literature, Library 305.

 September 30 - turn in proposal

Fall Nov. 2, 2001/Spring March 15, 2002 - turn in rough draft and complete bibliography

Fall Dec. 7, 2001/Spring April 26, 2002 - turn in final copy and complete bibliography

_____________________________              ______________________

Signature of student                                                            date

_____________________________              ______________________

Signature of student’s Spanish thesis director               date

SP 460  Senior Thesis (2 credits)
Dept. of Modern Languages Guidelines
Revised March, 2001.

 The senior thesis, required of all Spanish majors, has been set in place to give those students the opportu­nity for a culminating academic experience in the language.  The theme of the thesis must be one that allows the student to utilize the knowledge--linguistic, cultural and literary--acquired in her/his years of study at SMC and abroad.  The thesis should encompass at least two areas of interest: for example, a novel of the Mexican Revolution and its ties to Mexican history, the Mexican muralists, or other.

 The procedure:

 1.  In the Spring semester of the junior year, students will meet with the thesis committee to receive materials (Guidelines, Preparation of Materials, Propuesta de la tesis) and discuss the timetable for submission of  the rough draft and the final version.  Spanish majors who are abroad at this time should arrange to be in contact with the committee through electronic mail.  The materials listed above are available on our website at http://academics.smcvt.edu/modernlang/thesis.htm

2.  During the month of September of the senior year, students will meet weekly with a Spanish professor from the thesis committee to discuss their topics and to complete their proposals, which must be submitted by the end of the month to the thesis committee (Professors Lukens-Olson, Rupright and Umanzor).  Each student will be assigned to a thesis director from the committee for consultation during the research and writing process.

3.  Upon committee and department acceptance of the proposal, students will begin research.  Any changes in theme, outline or bibliography must be approved by the thesis director.

4. Students will register for SP460 for the Spring semester of the senior year.  In the case of Education students, who must do their practice teaching in one of the senior semesters, it may be necessary to register for 460 for the Fall semester. 

5. Students will write a rough draft and submit it to the department secretary, Kelly McDonald (LIB 305), by the date set by the thesis committee.  If  the deadline is missed, the student must petition the committee in writing for permission to continue the thesis process.  Failure to submit the rough draft by the deadline or to petition for a continuation within two weeks of the deadline  may result in being dropped from SP460.

6.  The final version will be turned in to the secretary’s office (LIB 305) by the date set by the thesis committee.  The thesis director will consult with the committee before determining the grade.  If the final version has not been submitted by the deadline, the student will receive an INCOMPLETE and will have to arrange with the thesis director a timetable for completion of the final version.

Format of paper:

1.  Follow the guidelines set forth in the MLA Handbook for the Writers of Research Papers (the latest edition), available in the library and in the bookstore. 

2.  The expectation is for a minimum of 25 pages exclusive of bibliography and notes.

3.  Submit two copies of the final version to the thesis committee.

Grading Criteria:
Content and relevancy to student’s course of studies:   60%
Expression (grammar, vocabulary, style, mechanics):    30%
Procedure and format followed:                                     10%