Art History Guidelines

The senior honors project is a masters-level project taking place over the last three semesters of
the student’s undergraduate career. It is a capstone experience that is excellent preparation for
graduate school and demonstrates independent work to prospective employers.

Students qualify for the senior honors project based on the threshold cumulative GPA set by the
Honors Program. In addition, art history requires a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major.

Typically, students must begin the project three semesters before graduation, and all three
semesters should be in residence in Harrisonburg unless otherwise agreed with the professors on
the project committee. Students planning to pursue study abroad, internships, or other
educational experiences away from Harrisonburg should plan accordingly.
Students must register for all three semesters of ARTH 499 as semester-long courses. ARTH
499a is a one-credit course in the first semester; ARTH 499b is a three-credit course in the
second semester; ARTH 499c is a two-credit course in the third semester. Exceptions to this
format must be approved by the area coordinator. Registration takes place with the art history
area coordinator rather than through e-campus. The area coordinator approves registration for
ARTH 499 only when the student has obtained a written agreement with the JMU art history or
museum studies professor. The student should seek advice about who to recruit as committee
members from professors within their major and the departmental honors liaison. The student
should seek advice about the start and completion deadlines as well as format requirements of
the final paper from the Honors Program’s staff and webpage.

The length and structure of the final project, as well as research goals and the deadlines for
drafts, and other scholarly expectations should be based on discussions with the primary advisor
and the committee members and outlined in the proposal. Students should meet weekly with the
primary advisor and consult regularly with the other two committee members. Recently
completed projects may serve as models, subject to the recommendation of the advisor. Students are
encouraged to work on their projects during the summer between junior and senior year but
should discuss expectations regarding research goals and communication with the primary
advisor. Only under exceptional circumstances and only with the written permission of the area
coordinator, project committee members and the Honors Program director may a student
complete the project in the summer.

Final papers should demonstrate use and analysis of primary and secondary source materials.
Students are encouraged to use archival materials at regional museums, libraries, and historic
sites, where this is possible and subject to the advice of the advisor. Museum studies projects
should demonstrate the student’s work with a gallery, museum or exhibition site and may include
a curatorial or support role in the production of an exhibition. Students are encouraged to
present their senior projects at undergraduate and professional seminars, forum, and conferences,
although this is not a requirement for completion.