Departmental Honors Program

The honors program is open to departmental majors with a 3.5 grade-point average in upper division courses in the major and a 3.0 overall GPA. Students should apply for admission by Spring Quarter of their junior year. At the time of admission, students must have completed at least two upper division courses in their major. Prior to admission to the honors program, students must identify a faculty advisor, who must be a regular member of the UCLA faculty; the faculty advisor must commit to mentoring the student for the duration of the program. Students must also write a two-page proposal (double-spaced) of their project, to be approved by the faculty advisor and submitted with the application form.

The honors program is a three-term sequence of courses (Slavic 198A-B-C / 4 units each) taken in addition to requirements for the major. In most circumstances the sequence is taken during senior year (Fall, Winter, and Spring respectively), but can be started as early as junior year (in any quarter, with instructor’s consent), depending on degree expected term.

Students pursuing departmental honors must submit the contract for each course by the end of the tenth week of the previous quarter. The sequence culminates in the submission of a thesis. Students who enroll in the honors program are exempt from taking the standard thesis course sequence (Slavic 191TA-B-C / 2 units each); the honors thesis will count in its place. Students who start the honors program but do not wish to finish it must continue on in the standard thesis course sequence (course substitutions will be made as appropriate).

Slavic 198A. Development of research bibliography and survey of literature in the field of Slavic, East European and Eurasian Languages and Cultures. Topics are chosen through consultation with the faculty mentor. Students are required to meet regularly with the faculty advisor to report on progress and discuss readings. Letter grading.

Slavic 198B. Research and writing in the field of Slavic, East European and Eurasian Languages and Cultures under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor. Topics are chosen through consultation with the faculty mentor. Students are required to meet regularly with the faculty advisor to report on their research, discuss drafts of thesis chapters, and revise their writing. Letter grading.

Slavic 198C. Completion of an honors thesis in the field of Slavic, East European and Eurasian Languages and Cultures based on research undertaken the previous two terms. Topics are chosen through consultation with the faculty mentor. Students are required to meet regularly with the faculty mentor to share drafts and revise their writing. The thesis must be presented at the University of California Undergraduate Conference on Slavic and East/Central European Studies. The final paper is submitted to the faculty advisor for grading and honors evaluation. Letter grading.

NOTE: SLAVC 198A-B-C are contract courses, and you will register for these courses using the forms on MyUCLA. Go to the website and sign in, then look under the MyUCLA Features (to the left of the My Study List box) and you will see a link that says Contract Courses. Click on that link and it will bring up all the information you need to register. You will fill out the forms (the site explains the information you will need) and have them signed by your faculty mentor and the Department Chair. After you have both signatures, please turn the contract in to the Student Services Advisor (350B Kaplan Hall) to register.

The honors thesis is intended to be a substantial piece of original scholarship at least 40 pages in length exclusive of front matter, appendices, and bibliography (25 pages to satisfy the regular capstone senior thesis major requirement). Students are required to use a Slavic, East European or Eurasian language in their research, with the scope of language work to be determined in consultation with their faculty advisor.

Evaluation of the honors thesis is made by the faculty advisor. Honors and highest honors are recorded on the final transcript and diploma after students successfully complete the program.

To qualify for graduation with departmental honors, students must:

1. complete all requirements for the major;
2. have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in upper division courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better; and
3. complete the sequence of Slavic 198A-B-C with a grade of B or better.

To qualify for graduation with departmental highest honors, students must:

1. complete all requirements for the major;
2. have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.8 or better in upper division courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 3.5 or better; and
3. complete the sequence of Slavic 198A-B-C with a grade of A- or better.

In the event that a student does not complete the departmental honors program or qualify for departmental honors/highest honors, their paper will count towards the regular capstone senior thesis requirement for their major (25 pages minimum to satisfy requirement).

To apply to the Slavic, East European and Eurasian Languages and Cultures’ departmental honors program, please fill out the application below. Students must also write a two-page proposal of their project to be approved by their faculty sponsor and the undergraduate faculty advisor, to submit with their application. Applications should be submitted to the Student Services Advisor, Brianna Boling, in 350B Kaplan Hall.

Departmental Honors Program Requirements & Application