Independent Work in African American Studies

The Department provides a detailed calendar for concentrators and their advisers each year. The following timelines for the JP and thesis provide benchmarks for the completion of independent work.

Download & View 2021-2022 Independent Work [PDF]

 

Junior Papers

Fall Term

Week Description

October 25

Submit Junior Paper Adviser preferences, JP Topic, and subfield track selection

January 8

Email your JP prospectus to your adviser and ask to schedule a day and time to meet in the first week of class in the spring term.

Spring Term

During the spring term, you are strongly encouraged to have at least three sessions with a Graduate Student Coach. These will be scheduled in January.

Week Description

Week 1

Meet with your adviser, no later than Friday, January 28 to:

  1. discuss your prospectus;
  2. discuss how frequently you will meet, and best ways to check-in;
  3. plan your next research/writing task.

Week 4

Submit partial first draft (perhaps one major section) to your adviser, no later than Friday, February 18.

Week 5

Students receive first drafts back, with comments from advisers, no later than Friday, February 25.
Week 7 Spring Break

Week 8

Submit partial second draft to your adviser, no later than Friday, March 18.

Week 9

Students receive second drafts back, with comments from advisers, no later than Friday, March 25.

Week 11

Submit third and mostly complete draft to your adviser, no later than Friday, April 8.

Week 12

Students receive third drafts back, with comments from advisers, no later than Friday, April 15.

April 26

FINAL Junior Paper uploaded by 5:00 pm. You will receive a link and instructions on how to upload the paper to Google Drive.

May 6

Submit Senior Thesis Adviser preferences.

Senior Thesis

Fall Term

Weeks Description

Week 1

Schedule a meeting with your adviser to discuss the thesis topic and plan for the semester, including tentative meeting times, no later than Friday, September 3.

Week 5

Submit a five-page thesis proposal to your adviser, no later than Monday, September 27. The proposal should include:

  • description of the topic, the scope of the project, and methodological approach you plan to take
  • discussion of how your coursework at Princeton or elsewhere has prepared you to pursue the topic
  • a brief survey of sources and a review of the kinds of evidence you plan to use
  • a discussion of the contribution your work will make to the existing scholarship in your area
  • a preliminary bibliography
  • a preliminary writing plan or chapter outline

November 19

Submit a partial first draft (twenty pages) to your adviser

January 21

Submit a draft of an additional twenty pages to your adviser

Spring Term

Weeks Description

Week 2

Submit a draft of an additional twenty pages to your adviser, no later than Friday, February 4.

Week 3

 Review your degree progress in TigerHub and submit your Degree Progress Check-In by Monday, February 7 at 5:00 pm (EST).

Week 8

Submit a draft of the entire thesis to your adviser, no later than Friday, March 18.

Week 12

Upload your thesis via Thesis Central by April 19 at noon

April 19

Students receive reader reports and grade.

April 25

Submit your Senior Comprehensive Statement and Honors Calculation by 5:00 pm.

May 4-5

Senior Comprehensive Exams – BLOCK BOTH DAYS ON YOUR CALENDAR

 

Department Extension Policy

Extensions of independent work deadlines may be granted only under extraordinary circumstances, usually involving medical conditions. Students must petition the departmental representative in advance of the deadline. Individual advisers cannot grant extensions. For extensions beyond Dean's date, students must consult their residential college Dean or Director of Studies.