History Dept. Seeks Junior Thesis Work

The History Department is making a definite effort this year to get junior honors concentrators started on their theses before they leave for summer vacation, according to Ernest R. May, assistant professor of History and head tutor in the Department.

Present plans call for an indication from the student regarding possible thesis topics, and for consultations between faculty members and concentrators on these topics.

"We are going to ask every Honors junior to fill out a form in late March to indicate the field in which he intends to specialize," May said. This would include such information as the area or country in which the student planned to major.

"We are also going to have them suggest two possible thesis topics on their cards," May continued. This would presumably be done after the student had consulted with his tutor and hunted through the library investigating various possibilities.

In late April or May, after the cards are in, students will confer with potential thesis advisers so that they will have the opportunity to pick out definite topics this term, and so that they will have someone with whom to correspond about their work during the summer.

"We have found in the past that too many concentrators wait until the fall term of their senior year before picking a topic," May said, "and as a result the theses are often rushed," he added.