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Senior Exercise & Honors Projects

SENIOR EXERCISES IN MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES DEPARTMENT

Dear Seniors:

This document contains essential information and deadlines concerning the Senior Exercise. Please save this packet and consult it regularly. You are responsible for the information it contains.

It is divided into four sections.

1. Description of the Senior Exercise, pp. 1-4.

2. Procedures, pp. 5-7.

3. Statement on Plagiarism and Documentation, p. 8.

4. Description of the Honors Project, pp. 9-11.

5. Appendix A. Example of Annotated Bibliography
Appendix B. LBIS Guidelines for Submission of Honors Theses

As Senior Liaison to the MLL Majors, I invite you to contact me with questions, and I wish you the best of luck for a fruitful senior year!

Yours sincerely,

Clara Román-Odio
e-mail: romanodioc@kenyon.edu
Ascension 110

DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR EXERCISE I. Language Proficiency Exams:

All departmental majors are required, as part of the Senior Exercise, to pass a languageproficiency exam. (Those who major in Modern Languages are requiredto take an exam in each language.) These exams will be given during the fall semester of the senior year. Those students who fail the exam/s will be given another chance to pass it/them in the spring semester. Studentswill schedule a date to retake the exam in consultation with their advisor(s). The exam should be retakenbefore spring break.

II. Senior Exercise Prospectus

The prospectus for the Senior Exercise consists of two parts. First, it includesa 250-500 word description of your project. This description should include, as well as a discussion of yoursubject, an explanation of its value and a statement of your thesis (what you hope to prove or demonstrate). Second, you should provide an initial bibliography, including at least 5 annotated secondary sources (the annotationwill summarize the contents of the book or article and mention its relevance to your project). Some briefexamples of annotation are given on page 107 in the fourth edition of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers,which also specifies the forms of citation you will need for the written portion. An example of more completeforms of annotation is appended to this document.

Students pursuing an Area Studies major must incorporate an interdisciplinaryperspective in their Senior Exercise.
See III. B below.

Students planning to write their Senior Exercise in the target language should submittheir 250-500 word prospectus in the target language.

III. Written Portion of Senior Exercise:

The Senior Exercise paper will normally be read and evaluated by at leasttwo MLL faculty members. The final decision
in regard to the evaluation of the Senior Exercise paper rests with the MLL faculty members who have read it.

A. For Majors in Modern Languages

The written portion of the Senior Exercise consists of a research paper of at least15 pages and not more than 20 typewritten (double-spaced) pages written in the first foreign language. Thepaper normally entails further exploration and expansion of a subject area directly related to the minimum fiveunits of course work required of the ML major. The paper is not to be an enlargement of a paper submittedfor a particular course, but rather an extended treatment of some dimension of a subject covered in the courseselected by the student as a part of a coherent ML major program.

In the case of Chinese, Japanese, and Russian there is a second option. Studentsmay choose to write the Senior Exercise in English; however, they must demonstrate their ability to use the foreignlanguage as a scholarly resource by including at least three documented references in the target language. The paper normally entails further research and expansion of a subject area directly related to the minimum fiveunits of course work required of the ML major. In order to pursue this alternative students must obtain approvalfrom the appropriate faculty member and their advisor (if different), and then inform the department chair andthe departmental Senior Majors Liaison.

As one part of the Senior Exercise, the student will be expected to demonstrate oral proficiencyin both the first and second languages. The paper should be used as a point of departure for discussion inthe first foreign language with the advisor(s), who will critique the paper and invite an exchange of ideas withthe student; this conversation should take place within three weeks of the submission of the final version. The advisor(s) and student will agree upon some topic for a conversation to be held in the second foreign language.

B. For Majors in French Studies, German Studies, or Spanish Studies

The written portion of the Senior Exercise consists of a research paper of 20-30typewritten (double-spaced) pages. The paper may be written in English or the target language, dependingon consultation with the advisor. If the Senior Exercise is written in English, students must also submit,with the completed paper, a 3-5 page synopsis of their paper in the target language. If the target languageis used, a reasonable degree of accuracy is required. No special credit will be given to the evaluation ofpapers written in the target language. Students who wish to write their papers in the target language mustsubmit the 250-500 word prospectus in the target language (see section II above). The paper explores an aspect,or aspects, of a foreign culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. "Interdisciplinarity" isdefined as combining the methods and/or purviews of more than one academic discipline (e.g. literature and history,film and literature, psychology and literature, etc.) or using the methods and/or purview of an interdisciplinaryconcentration (e.g. Women's and Gender Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, etc.). Normally, the paperexpands and synthesizes work begun in courses constituting the student's major program; the paper is not to bean enlargement of a paper submitted for a particular course. The student is urged to seek guidance from facultymembers outside the department in the selection of the topic for the Senior Exercise; however, the work will bedirected by the advisor in the MLL Department.

In addition, faculty members in departments outside MLL may be involved in thereading and approval of the paper. Within three weeks of the submission of the final version, the studentwill meet with the appropriate faculty members, who will critique the paper and invite an exchange of ideas inthe foreign language with the student.

C. For Majors in Modern Literatures

The written portion of the Senior Exercise consists of a research paper of 20 typewritten(double-spaced) pages. The paper may be written in English or the target language, depending on consultationwith the advisor. If the Senior Exercise is written in English, students must submit, along with their completedpaper, a 3-5 page synopsis of their paper in the target language. If the target language is used, a reasonabledegree of accuracy is required. No special credit will be given to the evaluation of papers written in thetarget language. Students who wish to write their papers in the target language must submit the 250-500 wordprospectus in the target language (see section II above). The topic and format are to be determined by thefaculty advisor(s) in consultation with the student.

The paper normally entails further exploration and expansion of subject areasrelated to the content of literature courses taken by the student. The paper is not to be an enlargementof a paper submitted as part of course work, but rather an extended treatment -- in depth or breadth -- of someauthor(s) or subject(s) covered in specific courses.

      In rare instances (instances in which the student has demonstrated a capacityfor genuine independent research), the student may undertake a Senior Exercise project in an area totallyunrelated to class work. In such cases, the student is expected to submit a carefully formulated outlineof the project for the approval of his or her advisor by the time of the deadline for outlines.

      After consultation with his or her advisor, the student may choose to pursue the  research involved in the Senior Exercise in one of two ways:

      1) an independent and supervised study without credit, an arrangement by which thestudent is expected to keep
          the faculty advisor informed of the progress of thework during the course of the year; or

2) an "independent study" course with credit, a "tutorial"course with credit, or a "special topics" course with
credit providing the point of departure, the background,the context for the Senior Exercise project.

The Senior Exercise must entail work above and beyond the work required for grade and credit in suchcourses.

The faculty advisor will arrange to meet with the student within three weeks of the submissionof the final version to critique the paper and invite an exchange of ideas in the foreign language with the student.

IV. The Senior Colloquium:

All senior majors will give be invited to give an informal 10-minute presentation ontheir research for the Senior Exercise to their classmates and faculty members. The presentations will takeplace during a series of two to three meetings to be scheduled during January and February of the second semester.

"Honors" Project Description: Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Rev. 08/00

The MLL faculty views reading for "Honors" as an option to be exercised by the exceptional student. In evaluating "Honors" candidacies, the faculty will consider as evidence of qualification to proceed with the proposed project not only the student's grade point average (see point 1.) but also the following: the initiative, forethought, and responsibility shown by the student in formulating the project and in communicating with the faculty advisor(s) about it; an eagerness to do work above and beyond that required for the regular "Senior Exercise;" and a demonstrated ability to pursue independent research and writing.

The "Honors" Project itself normally consists of a written work which combines research with original analyses on a topic proposed by the student. Other configurations of the "Honors" Project may be considered if the student can establish the intellectual value of such a project and has already demonstrated him/herself capable of undertaking it. Students interested in pursuing "Honors" work should read with particular attention the general description of Departmental Honors in "The College Curriculum" section of the Course of Study handbook, as well as the conditions listed below.

1. Candidates for the "Honors" Project in MLL are required to have a minimum 3.333 (B+) grade point average in courses taken in the MLL department and an overall average of 3.2 in all courses taken at Kenyon.

2. Candidates for "Honors" in MLL should adhere to the following timetable:

a. Students must discuss with the appropriate MLL faculty member their desire to do a Honors Project as early as possible in their Kenyon career. They must submit a declaration of intent to the Chair of MLL with a copy to their Advisor(s) before the end of the first week of classes of their senior year.

From the time when the student informs the Chair of his/her intent to pursue an "Honors" Project, the student should keep the faculty advisor(s) informed--by letter, if the student is abroad--of his/her thinking about the focus of the Project.

Those candidates who are spending their junior year abroad are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire relevant materials which may be much more difficult--or impossible--to find in the U.S.

b. By no later than 4:00 on the Friday of the third full week of classes of the student's senior year, the student should submit to the Chair of the department a Prospectus of the proposed project. The Prospectus for the Honors Project consists of two parts. First, it includes a 250-500 word description of your project. This description should include, as well as a discussion of your subject, an explanation of its value and a statement of your thesis (what you hope to prove or demonstrate). Second, you should provide an initial bibliography, including at least 5 annotated secondary sources (the annotation will summarize the contents of the book or article and mention its relevance to your project). Some brief examples of annotation are given on pp.117 and 122 of the fifth edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, which also specifies the forms of citation you will need to use. An example of more complete forms of annotation is appended to this document. The student must provide a translation of the Prospectus into English if the Prospectus is written in the foreign language. The student should also provide a separate sample of analytical writing in English, whether or not the Prospectus is written in the target language (for example, a copy of a paper for a course). The MLL faculty will read the Prospectus, and will gather to consider it for approval. By the end of the fourth week of the student's senior year, at the latest, the Chair will notify the student in writing that his/her proposal has been accepted/rejected. Assuming the project's acceptance by the department, the Chair will then seek approval by the Humanities Division of the student's "Honors" candidacy. The Division Chair will notify the Registrar of the student's admittance to "Honors."

c. Immediately upon learning of his or her admittance to "Honors," the student will meet with the advisor(s) to establish a series of deadlines for the completion of the "Honors" Project. These deadlines will normally follow the timetable for the Departmental Senior Exercise as closely as possible.

3. The student may pursue the research involved in the "Honors" Project in one of two ways:

a. an independent, supervised study without credit--an arrangement by which the student is expected to keep the faculty advisor(s) informed of the work throughout the senior year; or

b. enrollment during the senior year in the "Senior Honors" course, listed in the Course Catalogue under the disciplines of French, German, Spanish, and MLL, and numbered "497-498." Provided that the faculty member agrees to accept the student for enrollment in this course (and permission may not always be forthcoming, given taxing teaching commitments), the student may enroll for a maximum of 1 unit of credit during the senior year.

4. For Literature and Studies majors, the MLL department leaves up to the discretion of the advisor and the student the nature of the "Honors" paper. For majors in Modern Languages, two options exist. They are as follows:

Option 1:

A single paper (at least 30 pages), which draws together literary, linguistic or cultural aspects of
both languages. This paper may be written in either English or one of the foreign
languages. The decision to write in English or one of the foreign languages will be made
jointly by the faculty advisor(s) and the student. There will be one outside examiner,
whose area of specialty will correspond to the student's primary language.

Option 2:

A single paper (at least 30 pages) written in the first language, on a literary, linguistic or cultural aspect of that language. In addition, the candidate must arrange to have an oral interview in the second language with a faculty member in that language, to be scheduled at any time during the second semester of the Senior year. The topic of this interview will be chosen in advance in consultation with the faculty member conducting the interview. There will be one outside examiner for the paper in the first language, whose area of specialty will correspond to the student's primary language.

5. There is a two-semester residency (at Kenyon) requirement for students working on an "Honors" project.

6. Honors students who wish to be considered eligible for Distinction on the Senior Exercise as well as for Honors have the following choice: either complete the Senior Exercise paper, which may be related to the paper for Honors, or complete a comprehensive exam. If Honors students prefer to count the Language Proficiency Exam/s as their only Senior Exercise, they will forfeit their eligibility for distinction. If a paper is submitted for the Senior Exercise, the student must follow the calendar of deadlines established for all Senior Exercises in the MLL Department.

7. "At any time the department may deny the student the opportunity to continue in honors."
(see Course of Study)

8. A corrected copy of the "Honors" Thesis will be submitted to the Library by or before the Friday before graduation. Guidelines for the preparation of the library copy of the Honors Thesis are available through the Library Web Page (from the Library Information page, scroll down to Library Services, and from that page, click on Honors Theses Guidelines). A print-out of the current guidelines is also appended to this document.

Revised: Aug. 2000

PLAGIARISM AND DOCUMENTATION

Rev. 5/3/95
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Any form of ACADEMIC DISHONESTY is a serious offense in an academic community. It is therefore importantfor every student to know when and how to acknowledge intellectual indebtedness. The provisions in the regulationsagainst cheating must be understood to include all forms of misrepresentation in academic work, such as:

1. Failure to acknowledge ideas or phrases used in an essay that are gained from another writer (see below);

2. The submission of a single paper in more than one course unless explicit permission from the instructorshas been obtained in advance;

3. The use of work prepared or corrected by another person, by a translation program or grammar checker,or by a hired ghost writer.

DOCUMENTATION IN PAPERS. Most difficulties in this area arise from a failure to acknowledge sources. Plagiarism is using the work, words, or ideas of another person as if they were your own. What is and whatis not plagiarism in a given instance can, however, pose a problem, since a great deal of what anyone writescan be traced to one source or another, and since many facts and ideas are too commonplace to require footnotes. When should you document your debt to another writer? Here are three rules of thumb to help you decide:

1. The first is to give whatever citations you think will help your reader. Give a reference wheneveryour reader may ask such questions as "Where did he get that?" or "Where can I find out more aboutthis?"

2. The second is to consult your own feeling of indebtedness. If you incorporate a phrase, an idea,or an argument of someone else's work into your essay, then you owe that writer an acknowledgment. If youthink you have been able to do a better job because of the help from someone's book, then give that writer creditin your text, footnote, or bibliography.

3. The third rule is to err on the safe side. When in doubt, give the reference. You should,of course, avoid needlessly distracting the reader (for example, by citing Freud every time you mention the unconscious,or by giving book, chapter, and verse for every Biblical reference or quotation). But it is better to bedistracting or overcautious than to risk plagiarism.

FORMS OF CITATION: Follow the guidelines in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (4threvised ed., 1995), available for purchase in the bookstore.

"Honors" Project Description: Department of Modern Languages and Literatures