In the fall of their third year participants take a special colloquium available only to them, and follow this with a regular major seminar or colloquium in the spring. Fourth year is devoted to the preparation of a substantial thesis and to participation in a year-long seminar. Distinguished majors must meet other requirements for a history major. Applications for admission to the program are normally accepted in April of each year from second-year students who are otherwise eligible to declare history majors. Information on the program can be secured from its directors or from the undergraduate director.
Participants are eligible for degrees with distinction, high distinction and highest distinction.
Levels of distinction are set by a faculty committee based upon the attainment of a minimum GPA of 3.4 for all courses, the quality of the thesis, and the overall quality of a student s academic record. The American Studies Program offers students the opportunity to study the United States in an interdisciplinary context. Students major in the subject of their choice and then concentrate in American studies within their major department. Participants are admitted to the program after a competitive application process that is normally completed at the end of second year. In their fourth year students may elect to prepare a thesis.