General Honours Thesis
Information
 How to find a thesis advisor
 How to choose a thesis topic
 SOCI 491: Senior Seminar
 Thesis timelines
You’re writing a what??
 Thesis [thee-sis] – noun: a traditional method
of torture involving inordinate amounts of
research and writing, accomplished by means
of many sleepless nights. Likely side effects
include carpal tunnel, questioning one’s
sanity, and excessive library fines
(Xaverian Weekly, April 5, 2007, p. 2)
What is an Honours Thesis?
 The thesis is an in-depth original study. It may
involve:
 collecting and analyzing data;
 reinterpreting or extending the analysis of
data already collected by someone else;
 applying theoretical constructs to explain
some particular social phenomenon;
 critically analyzing or extending some
aspect of theory to interpret a specific topic
Finding an advisor, topic
and second reader
 Choosing a thesis advisor
 Choosing a thesis topic
 Choosing a second reader
Thesis timelines: junior year
Choose a thesis advisor

Submit student/advisor agreement form
 Choose a topic
 Develop a proposal in consultation with your
advisor

This would allow you to begin your research
over the summer and start early in September
Thesis timelines: senior year
September
 Choose a thesis advisor

Submit student/advisor agreement form
(submitted by last Friday of September)
 Thesis topic must be approved by advisor
 Develop proposal in consultation with advisor
October
 Submit thesis proposal (by mid-October)
November
 Submit ethics approval form (if necessary) (by
mid-November)
December
 Submit first two chapters by December 1

Advisor will return with comments and suggestions
February
 Submit draft of thesis by February 15

Advisor will return with comments and suggestions
March
 Submit complete draft of thesis to thesis advisor
 Thesis presentation will be week of March 15
 Final draft of thesis must be submitted by March 31 to
Chair of Department
April
 Submit 3 copies of thesis for binding by April 15
SOCI 491: Senior Seminar
 SOCI 491 helps honours students navigate
through their theses
 Series of presentations



Proposal
Key readings for your thesis
Practice presentations
 Also, orientation to graduate school and
graduate scholarship programs
The Writing Centre Workshop
~ facilitated by Gina Sampson
 Offered five suggestions to juniors
preparing to begin their thesis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Develop general knowledge of the topic
Identify possible research questions
Identify major researchers or theorists
Create a system for organizing findings
Learn RefWorks (bibliographic software)
(Xavierian Weekly, April 5, 2007, p. 2)
Sociology faculty











Rod Bantjes
Patricia Cormack
Lynda Harling Stalker
David Lynes
Donna MacDonald
Daniel MacInnes
Peter Mallory
Stephen Marmura
Riley Olstead
John Phyne
Norine Verberg
Welcome to Honours Sociology
 Key resources:








Your supervisor
SOCI 491 and the course advisor
Our administrative assistant, Carla Haley-Baxter
The Department Chair, Dr. John Phyne
The Department website
Your peers
Our wonderful reference librarians
You!