School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Romance Studies

Senior Honors Thesis

For Spanish, French, Italian, and Romance Studies Major Students

A Senior Honors Thesis is a substantial, independent research project completed by a student in their senior year, typically over two semesters. It allows you to explore a topic of personal and academic interest, culminating in a written thesis that demonstrates original thought, critical analysis, and scholarly rigor. The thesis will be written in the target Romance language in which you are majoring. If you are a Romance Studies major, you will write the thesis in your primary or secondary language.

Structure and Purpose

Two-Semester Commitment: 

The thesis spans the fall and spring semesters of your senior year, with the first generally focused on research and the second on writing and revision. (If you plan to graduate in December, then you will start your thesis work in the spring of your junior year and complete both the research and writing components by the fall semester of your senior year.) 

Thesis Advising: 

The thesis is overseen by a faculty committee of at least two people (one of whom must be a full-time faculty member in your major department).

Thesis Defense: 

The thesis defense is the culminating academic event of the honors thesis process. It provides you with the opportunity to formally present and defend your research findings before a committee of faculty members.

Credit Requirements: 

Each semester carries 4 credits. To qualify for honors designation, students must complete both terms for a total of 8 credits.
Semester Credit Limits: You may enroll in a maximum of 21 credits per semester during your senior year and 20 credits during your junior year.

Thesis Honors: 

Successful completion of the thesis may earn a notation of distinction on your diploma and transcript: Honors in Thesis, High Honors in Thesis, or Highest Honors in Thesis.

Academic Value

The honors thesis is more than a capstone. It is an opportunity to:

  • Demonstrate mastery of one or more romance languages, and/or a topic related to Romance Studies, and your linguistic/cultural analysis skills.
  • Engage deeply with literary, historical, cultural, and/or interdisciplinary topics, demonstrating initiative, discipline, and scholarly excellence.
  • Contribute original scholarship to the field of Romance Studies and related fields.
  • Benefit from one-on-one mentorship with a faculty advisor, allowing for personalized guidance and intellectual growth.
  • Demonstrate advanced research and writing skills, signaling intellectual maturity and independence to graduate programs.
  • Showcase the ability to carry a complex project from conception to completion to future employers, adding prestige to your resume.

Timeline

In your junior year:

Spring of your junior year: 
Begin by exploring a general area or topic that interests you and could form the basis of your research. Then, meet with your major advisor, who can also be your thesis advisor, or point you towards other faculty members who could be potential advisors for your thesis. This meeting will help you brainstorm ideas, better define your topic, and get reading recommendations.

April of your junior year: 
Submit a Thesis Proposal (1-2 pages) outlining what you plan to research, how you intend to approach it, and why it matters. Your proposal should clearly state your research questions, methodology, and analytical tools.

Enroll in RS 0199-Honors Thesis A (or the corresponding course for French, Italian, and Spanish). Please make sure to enroll before the deadline to add courses, generally set a week after the start of classes.

In your senior year:

September: 
Set up a meeting with your thesis advisor at the beginning of the semester. You will decide the members of the committee, deadlines, and the schedule of your meetings during the semester.

September/October: 
Submit a Thesis Honors Candidate Form within the first six weeks of the first semester of thesis.

November: 
Register for RS 0199-Honors Thesis B (or the corresponding course for French, Italian, and Spanish) for the spring semester.

December: 
By the end of the fall semester, you should work on an outline and draft some introductory sections of your thesis.

January: 
Submit your first chapter or section of your thesis to your advisor. Cite sources correctly and include them in your first draft. Remember to include a bibliography with any draft you submit.

February and March: 
Write your thesis section by section and submit drafts to your primary advisor for revision comments.

March: 
Before Spring Break, schedule the thesis defense with all committee members. Be sure the committee is in agreement on what they expect from you during the revision process. 

Early April: 
Rewrite and revise according to your advisors' recommendations.

Mid-April: 
Submit the final draft to your thesis advisor. You will receive the draft back with comments and edit suggestions. Review and apply changes, and submit the final version to the committee members at least two weeks before the thesis defense date.

Late April: 
The defense should be at least one hour long to give you enough time to present your work, answer questions, and listen to the assessment of your thesis committee. It should take place before finals for you to graduate in May.


Your committee may ask you to correct or rewrite portions of your thesis after the defense, but before you submit it to the archives. You will submit an electronic copy of your thesis to the Tufts Digital Research Center in Tisch Library before Commencement.

FAQs

Am I eligible to complete a Senior Honors Thesis?

All students who are majoring in Romance Studies or in a Romance language (French, Italian, Spanish) are eligible to complete a Senior Honors Thesis. The applicant must have earned Dean's List honors for at least two semesters before the first term of the senior year.

What courses count toward the honors thesis?

The honors thesis is listed under RS/FR/ITAL/SPN 0199 - Honors Thesis A and B. These are two sequential courses taken across two semesters. They are part of the approved curriculum for the major and must be taken for a grade.

Can I count my Senior Honors Thesis credits towards my major?

Yes, each semester may count toward the major as a 100-level course.

How do I get started with the honors thesis process?

You should begin by discussing your interest with your faculty advisor, typically in the spring of your junior year. Together, you will identify a topic and a potential faculty mentor.

How do I choose a thesis advisor?

You should select a faculty member whose expertise aligns with your topic. It’s best to approach potential advisors early (ideally in the spring of junior year) to discuss ideas and expectations.

How long should my thesis be?

The length of your thesis will be confirmed with your thesis advisor, but plan to write approximately 60 pages double-spaced (excluding table of contents and bibliography).

Formatting guidelines (e.g., citation style, structure) should be discussed with your advisor.

What kind of support materials are available?

Tisch Library offers a 2-credit course to assist senior thesis writers with the research process. In EXP-0065 Experimental College - Thesis Workshop, you will learn about the research tools and techniques specific to your subject area, develop a working bibliography of resources, writing training, and a plan for continuing your research.

To get started, here are two helpful resources available through Tisch Library:

Are there any grants or scholarships that may support my work?

  • Undergraduate Research Fund: provides up to $450 for various expenses (supplies, travel, library cards…)
  • Summer Scholars Program: provides funding for independent research projects to be conducted during the summer for ten weeks. Open to rising juniors and seniors.

How is the thesis graded?

The thesis may be graded as follows, based on the quality of your work: no honors, Honors in Thesis, High Honors in Thesis, or Highest Honors in Thesis. Thesis Honors will appear on your diploma and transcript.

What Happens During the Defense?

You will deliver a structured presentation of your thesis, highlighting your research question, methodology, findings, and conclusions. Faculty committee members ask questions to assess your understanding, analytical depth, and ability to articulate the significance of your work. The defense is both evaluative and celebratory; it marks the transition from student to scholar.

What Should I Prepare for the Thesis Defense?

  • A polished version of the thesis manuscript.
  • A clear and engaging presentation (about 15–20 minutes).
  • Responses to anticipated questions from faculty.
  • Any supplementary materials (e.g., slides, handouts, or visual aids).

Who can attend my defense?

Your defense may be open to the public or invited guests. Faculty, students, friends, and family members are typically welcome to attend. If you have specific preferences about attendance or anticipate any restrictions, discuss these with your advisor and committee in advance so expectations are clear.

Can I present my thesis publicly?

Yes. You are encouraged to participate in events like the Undergraduate Research Symposium or departmental showcases like the annual Spanish Symposium. These are great opportunities to share your work and gain feedback.