Hutton Honors College

Contact: Julie Van Voorhis History of Art Fine Arts 129 855-6714 julvanvo@indiana.edu

Contact: Nell Weatherwax Undergraduate Counselor Fine Arts 127 855-1693 nweather@indiana.edu

1. How is your honors degree program administered? Is there a specific person who acts as coordinator? Is there a faculty committee?

Each department of the School administers its program independently, e.g. Art History has a single faculty member in charge of all Art History honors students. Studio, on the other hand, has a faculty member from each discipline act as advisor.

2. What are the requirements for admission into your honors program? How are students recruited for your program? May students recommend themselves?

Art History: History of Art Honors Program The Fine Arts Honors program in History of Art is designed to provide outstanding students opportunities to pursue creative independent study and research. To be considered, a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 in History of Art and 3.3 overall. The core of the program is an honors thesis, A499, normally written during the senior year under the supervision of a faculty member in history of art. This course work is in addition to the 30 hours required of the regular major. Preparation for the thesis will normally include a bibliographic tutorial. Eligible and interested students should consult the chairman of the history of art honors program. Studio: Major in Studio-B.F.A. This program is designed to meet the needs of exceptional students desiring intensive studio experience within the context of the liberal arts. They must have demonstrated superior ability and motivation in a particular studio discipline. Admission to the B.F.A. program in any studio area is subject to a portfolio review, judgment of grades, and a personal interview with the faculty of that area. Applications are not considered until students have had at least one 300-level course in the area to which application is made.

3. How does a student graduate with honors from your department?

Studio: The student is awarded the BFA degree. Art History: A student must be accepted into the honors program (usually at the end of the junior year) and complete an honors thesis (usually during the spring semester of the senior year) with a grade of A- or above. Honors students are also expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.5 in Art History and 3.3 overall.

4. What courses do students take as juniors and before in order to prepare for working on the senior project? How are these honors seminars and courses typically conducted? What are the usual requirements in certain courses?

Studio: There are special courses in fine arts for our honors (BFA) students. These courses are listed in the COAS bulletin. Each discipline has a special course number, e.g. ceramics is S462 BFA ceramics, painting is S432 BFA painting, etc. Art History: Courses are selected in consultation with the student's advisor. A499 (honors thesis) is taken in the senior year.

5. What is the nature of the senior project and what are the requirements for completing it?

Studio: The senior project in studio is a comprehensive exhibition of the student's work. The exhibition is reviewed by the faculty of the area. Art History: A499 is normally taken during the spring semester of the senior year, under the supervision of the thesis advisor. The student meets regularly with the advisor throughout the semester. A draft of the honors essay is submitted to the advisor and second reader by later March; the finished version, incorporated both reader's suggestion by mid-April. To earn honors, the paper must receive a grade of A- or above.

6. Are there departmental resources available to support internships or research projects related to the senior project?

The studio area has one $800 scholarship available to BFA students. This is a competitive award and based on merit only. Other than this award, Fine Arts has few resources to support honors students.

7. How might the work required for an honors degree be particularly beneficial in future endeavors?

The BFA program is particularly well suited for those individuals who wish to pursue graduate study in fine arts. It enables a student to develop his/her artistic capabilities to the fullest. Students are also instructed in how to create a portfolio of their work in order to apply to graduate school.
The Art History Honors Program gives students the opportunity to develop their research and creative writing skills, and to get a taste of what it is like to carry out advanced research. These skills are particularly useful for students planning to pursue graduate work in the History of Art.

8. What are the advantages for students who pursue the honors degree compared to a regular degree in your area?

Studio: Advantages include much more individual attention from faculty, many more hours of studio art and art history, private and/or semi-private studio space, involvement within a community of motivated and committed art students. Art History: A student may achieve a higher level of proficiency and professionalism at an accelerated rate as well as investigate special interests.