Research

Undergraduate Research in the HAA department

Undergraduate majors have the opportunity to conduct research in a variety of ways.

HAA 1010: Approaches to Art History – the Research and Writing Seminar

All majors are required to complete a capstone research and writing seminar, HAA 1010: Approaches to Art History, which requires the production of a substantive research paper. For further information on this course and its objectives, see this guide.

HAA 1950 and HAA 1901: Honors Thesis and Independent Study Research

Independent research often evolves out of pre-existing coursework, or a prior HAA 1010 project. Often, though, our majors devise an independent research topic anew. These projects are completed under the guidance of a faculty member who mentors the student through the various research stages and oversees the project. Students earn academic credit for this work in two ways:

HAA 1950 Honors Thesis: Available to any major with an overall and departmental GPA of 3.5 or higher. This course results in a letter grade and is worth 3 credits. Students who complete HAA 1950 with a grade of A- or higher and maintain the 3.5 GPA will graduate with honors from the department and are eligible to apply for annual departmental awards. Students interested in the honors major and the thesis project should consult early with Gretchen Bender, the director of undergraduate advising, for assistance developing a project and seeking a faculty mentor. View a listing of past honors thesis projects.

HAA 1901 Independent Study: Available to any major who has gained a faculty sponsor in the department for his or her project. This course is taught with variable credit (can be taken for 1, 2 or 3 credits), and is taught with the S/N letter grade. Independent studies can result in research papers, but other creative activites and products are possible as well. Consult with Gretchen Bender if you wish to pursue and independent study.

HAA 1909: Undergraduate Research Assistantships

This course enables students to receive academic credit for serving as assistants to faculty members who are conducting their own pre-existing research projects (i.e. preparing work for publication or a conference). This collaboration will result in a meaningful experience for the student that introduces them to and gives them grounding in the ethos and mechanics of research and publication. This option is particularly recommended for younger majors who seek to establish a stronger mentoring relationship with a faculty member, or who wish to gain some knowledge of the research process before engaging in a project of their own design. This course can be taken for 1, 2 or 3 credits, and is conducted under the S/N grade option. For further information, please consult the HAA 1909: Undergraduate Research Contract.

Research Fellowships and Awards

Many of our majors have secured prestigious fellowships and awards for their independent research efforts, including the Brackenridge Summer Research Fellowships, the Honors Research Fellowships, and the Summer Research Abroad Awards offered through the University Honors College, and the School of Arts and Sciences annual Summer Undergraduate Research Awards. Gretchen Bender, director of undergraduate studies, is available to assist students with the development of research ideas and the application process for these awards. See a listing of recent HAA and Architectural Studies majors who have received these awards.

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