Art

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• This information is also available for download (.pdf).

Honors Project Course Information

ART:499—Honors Project in Art (3 credits; may be repeated for a total of six credits)
Prerequisites: Senior standing in the Honors Program and approval of honors project by faculty advisor.

To be used for research in the Honors Program established by student and his/her adviser(s).

Course Description

Every Honors College student must complete an acceptable Honors Research Project. The Honors Research Project in Art is an integral part of the UA Honors experience for Myers School of Art students seeking degrees in fine arts, graphic design, art education, and art history. Interdisciplinary, creative projects are encouraged.

Rationale

The Honors Project in Art demonstrates a student’s ability to independently pursue her/his creative and scholarly research at an advanced level, beyond that of a standard baccalaureate degree, and exhibits research and critical skills developed through intense undergraduate study that are necessary to pursue a career or graduate-level study in his/her discipline.

Credit Hours

The credit hours allowed for the Honors Research Project will depend on the nature of the project. Usually students enroll in two or three hours per semester, up to a total of six hours. The minimum number of credits is two.

Prerequisites: The Research Proposal

Students should be planning for the Honors Research Project during their junior year. Serious work on the project should begin at least one year prior to your graduation date. It is best if you submit the proposal during the semester in which you will be completing 96 or more credits. The student must have attained senior standing or approval of the proposal from one of the deans of the Honors College and the approval of the honors research advisor before enrolling in Honors Project in Art for credit. In order to receive clearance to enroll, art students must submit a complete Research Proposal to the Honors College. Additional details on the Research Proposal are available.

The Research Proposal includes (1) a cover sheet naming the project sponsor and readers as well as (2) a description of the intended project. Please see the Honors College website for both the cover sheet and more details regarding the written description. Students are responsible for recruiting a project sponsor and at least two readers, and securing their signatures. The description is expected to be a cohesive, well-written narrative of up to 500 words (2 pages) and must include the following:

1. Describe the project’s purpose and goals.
2. How will the project will be undertaken? Describe the design, methodology, and limitations of the project. Be specific.
3. Describe the final presentation of the project. What will be the written product of your work on this project? If the project is to be performed or presented, what will be the occasion and the audience?
4. Present justification of the project’s value. Answer questions such as: What do you expect to learn from doing this project? What will be accomplished by the completion of this project? What makes it worth doing? What will be the benefits of the project for people other than yourself?

Students are advised to work closely with their project sponsor as they draft and refine the proposal description, and are strongly encouraged to submit a near final draft of the description to the Honors Research Advisor for review before finalizing the proposal.

Research Project Types

Your project may be one of the following types:

1. Research Thesis (Art History) – original scholarship investigating a significant question. This thesis must follow the standards of The Chicago Manual of Style and include an abstract of 200 words or less, a narrative of at least 25 pages, and a bibliography.
2. Research Report (Art Education) – a formal written presentation of technical, laboratory, or investigative research. This report must follow the standards of The Chicago Manual of Style and include an abstract of 200 words or less, a narrative of at least 25 pages, and a bibliography.
3. Artistic or Creative Performance or Production (Fine Art and Graphic Design) – an exhibition of at least 10 original works or equivalent (given diversity in media, individual projects will have to be negotiated with the Honors Research Advisor). A written component addressing content, media, working methodology, craft, and/or the historical and contemporary context for the project must accompany the exhibition. The essay must follow the standards of The Chicago Manual of Style and include an abstract (or artist’s statement) of 200 words or less, a narrative of at least 10 pages, and a bibliography.

The project must meet high standards of scholarship, and all projects must be completed independently of all other course work. The student must also meet any additional department or college requirements for this project, such as prerequisite coursework or experience, qualifying examination, or oral presentation. Study abroad or field experience may be accepted, with the approval of the student’s honors research advisor, as part of the project.

Funding Sources

Students are encouraged to seek grants to support any expenses related to their Honors Research Project. In the Myers School of Art, Dashiell Awards support tools, materials and travel needed for ambitious student projects. These grants can be up to $1000 per student, and are awarded in Fall and Spring semesters. Additional information is available online.

Submission requirements

Upon completion of the Honors Project in Art, students will produce a print-on-demand book from an online vendor (Blurb, MagCloud, Edition One Books, etc.) and submit one copy to the honors research advisor. Your book should contain:

• title page;
• Honors Research Project signature page;
• Honors Research Project abstract or artist’s statement;
• thesis / narrative;
• bibliography; and if applicable
• visual documentation of all art works created; and
• visual documentation of exhibition or equivalent presentation of the work.

For the Honors College, students should submit the final book, including the completed Research Project signature page, to IdeaExchange at UAkron electronically. IdeaExchange is an online repository of original research managed by the University of Akron library. Further details about how to upload your thesis can be found online.

Who is involved?

Additional details regarding the faculty roles are available online.

Honors Research Advisor

As the Honors Research Advisor, Associate Professor Elisha Dumser is responsible for overseeing and approving the Honors Research Project. Her primary duty is to ensure that all projects meet the high standards expected of Honors students in the Myers School of Art. In addition, she provides advice and guidance through the process and its many deadlines, as well as facilitates the paperwork involved. Students are encouraged to meet with the Honors Research Advisor early in their junior year to review the requirements for the Honors Research Project, and to consult as needed while enrolled in 7100:499.

Honors Research Project Sponsor

The sponsor is easily the most important faculty member involved in the Research Project. Students select and work closely with their sponsor to develop the Research Proposal and to see the project to completion. The project sponsor provides mentorship and advice, and is the primary source of feedback on the project as it develops. The sponsor is also responsible for grading the completed Honors Research Project.

Readers

A student must select at least two Readers for their Research Project. Readers can be UA faculty or extramural mentors. Readers are expected to serve as additional sources of feedback on the proposal, and on the project itself as it nears completion. Often Readers write letters of recommendation for students as they pursue graduate study or employment, and you are encouraged to select and cultivate your readers with this in mind. Readers must sign-off on the final project for a student to receive credit.

The Honors Student

While the Advisor, Sponsor and Readers are all available to help, ultimately you are responsible for your Honors Research Project. You are responsible for determining when meetings are necessary with your sponsor, advisor or readers; for working consistently on the project so that deadlines are met; for consulting regularly with your sponsor throughout the process; for strictly meeting all deadlines; and for ensuring that all materials submitted are only of the highest standards.

Academic Misconduct Policy

The University of Akron’s Code of Student Conduct defines academic misconduct as “any activity that compromises the academic integrity of the student and university, and undermines the educational process." Further, “it is each student’s responsibility to know what constitutes academic misconduct and to seek clarification directly from the instructor if necessary". Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:

• Submission of an assignment as the student’s original work that is entirely or partly the work of another person.
• Failure to appropriately cite references from published or unpublished works or print/non- print materials, including work found on the World Wide Web.
• Possession and/or unauthorized use of tests, notes, books, calculators or formulas stored in calculators not authorized by the instructor during an examination.
• Providing and/or receiving unauthorized information from another student to complete an assignment.
• Observing or assisting another student’s work.
• Violation of the procedures prescribed by the professor to protect the integrity of the examination.
• Cooperation with a person involved in academic misconduct.

From the 2015–16 University of Akron Undergraduate Bulletin — All instances of Academic Misconduct are taken with utmost seriousness and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards as required by university procedures.

Accommodations

In accordance with University policy, students with a documented disability for which accommodations may be required should contact the Office of Accessibility:

Simmons Hall 105
The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio 44325–6213

Phone: 330–972–7928
TDD: 330–972–5764
Fax: 330–972–5422
E-mail: access@uakron.edu

Be certain the instructor has been notified of your accommodations prior to the submission of the first assignment since accommodations are not retroactive (e.g., you cannot retake an exam or resubmit written work after earning a poor grade without accommodations in effect).

Further information

• The Honors College website offers a wealth of information on the Research Project:
    https://www.uakron.edu/honors/curriculum/honors-projects/
• A database of Honors Research Projects from previous UA Honors students is accessible through this link:
    https://www.uakron.edu/honors/curriculum/honors-projects/honors-projects-search.dot

Honors Research Project Schedule

• Junior Year, First Semester
  • Meet with Honors Research Advisor to review the Honors Research Project standards and process.
  • Formulate general ideas about the direction of the project so that you know who to approach as a potential Sponsor.
• Junior Year, Second Semester
  • Select a faculty Sponsor, under whose direction you can plan and complete the project.
  • Select at least two Readers.
  • Working with your Sponsor, plan your research project. Draft a description for your Research Proposal and have it reviewed by your Sponsor, Readers and the Honors Research Advisor.
  • Once your description is finalized, secure the necessary approval signatures and submit your Research Proposal (signature page and description) to the Honors College through IdeaExchange. Proposals are expected to be complete by October 1st if submitted during a fall semester, or by March 1st if submitted in the spring.
  • If appropriate, secure an exhibition venue for the following semester. Exhibitions should take place by Week 12 of the semester in which you complete your Honors Research Project.
  • Enroll in 7100:499 for the following semester.
• Senior Year
  • Week 1: Meet with Honors Research Advisor to review your Honors Research Project process and deadlines.
  • Weeks 1–10: Meet with your Sponsor and work on your project. Consult with Readers as needed. Consult with the Honors Research Advisor as needed.
  • By Week 11: Submit initial drafts of abstract and project to your Sponsor and the Honors Research Advisor.
  • By Week 12: Circulate final drafts of abstract and project to your Sponsor, Readers and the Honors Research Advisor.
  • Week 12, Monday:
    • Visual arts exhibitions must be on display by this date. Document exhibition clearly and thoroughly for the final book.
    • If applicable, arrange a group critique with your Sponsor and the Honors Research Advisor. You are strongly encouraged to have your Readers attend as well.
  • By Week 15:
    • Submit digital copy of your book to IdeaExchange.
    • Present a physical copy of your book to the Honors Research Advisor.

General Guidelines

• You must receive a grade of "B" or higher on your Honors Research Project to graduate as an Honors Scholar. If you do not achieve this grade you may still meet the requirements to graduate as an undergraduate student in your major. Please contact your Honors Advisor for more information.
• When there are multiple students involved in an Honors Research Project, each student should be included as authors on the final report, even if they are not part of the Williams Honors College. Every student should receive the proper recognition for thier contributions.
• Every committee must be composed of a Sponsor and two Readers. More information on these roles is available here.
• Students expecting to work on an honors project involving the use of human subjects should be aware that such projects may need to be evaluated by the University of Akron Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB reviews all proposals for research involving human participants to insure appropriate ethical and safety standards are observed. Depending on the nature of the proposed research, IRB review and approval may be required prior to moving forward with your study. In the same way, any research involving live animals will require review by the University of Akron Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC). Please communicate with your project sponsor regarding the need for IRB or ACUC consideration as it relates to your specific project. Information concerning research applications and review procedures can be obtained via the University of Akron Office of Research Administration (ORA).