The Department provides a detailed calendar for majors and their advisers each year. The following timelines for the JP and thesis provide benchmarks for the completion of independent work.
Download & View AY25 Independent Work [PDF]
Last Updated Wednesday, April 10, 2025
Junior Papers
Fall Term
| Week | Description |
|---|---|
| October 21 | Submit Junior Paper Adviser preferences, JP Topic, and subfield track selection |
| January 10 | Submit 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 your Writing Coach. Coaches will be assigned in January.
| Week | Description |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Meet with your adviser, no later than Friday, January 31 to:
|
| Week 4 | Submit partial first draft (10 pages) to your adviser, no later than Friday, February 21. |
| Week 5 | Students receive first drafts back, with comments from advisers, no later than Friday, February 28. |
| March 8-16 | Spring Break |
| Week 7 | Submit partial second draft to your adviser (20 pages) no later than Friday, March 21. |
| Week 8 | Students receive second drafts back, with comments from advisers, no later than Friday, March 28. |
| Week 10 | Submit third and mostly complete draft to your adviser no later than Friday, April 11. |
| Week 11 | Students receive third drafts back, with comments from advisers, no later than Friday, April 18. |
| April 29 | Upload your JP by 5:00 pm on this date. You will receive a link and instructions on uploading the paper to Google Drive |
| May 16 | Students receive JP grades and comments. |
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 6. |
| Week 5* | Submit the Senior Thesis proposal to your adviser and independent work coach no later than Friday, October 4. |
| Week 11* | Submit a partial first draft (20 pages) of the thesis to your adviser and to the DUS no later than Friday, November 15. |
| January 24* | Submit an additional 20 pages of your draft to your adviser and to the DUS no later than this date. |
*Students must submit these benchmark assignments to their adviser and to the DUS by their respective due dates. Each missed deadline will result in a 1/3 of a grade penalty to the final grade. If all three deadlines are missed, the final grade will be reduced by one letter.
Spring Term
| Weeks | Description |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Submit an additional 20 pages of your draft to your adviser and to the DUS no later than Friday, February 7. |
| Week 3 | Review your degree progress in TigerHub and submit your Degree Progress Check-In by Monday, February 10, at 5:00 pm. |
| Week 8 | Submit a draft of the entire thesis to your adviser no later than Friday, March 21. |
| Week 11 | Last day to receive feedback from your adviser is Friday, April 11. |
| Week 13 | Upload your thesis via Thesis Central by April 21 at 12:00pm. |
| May 1 | Submit your Senior Comprehensive Statement and Honors Calculation by 5:00 pm. |
| May 5 | Students receive reader reports and grades. |
| May 7-8 | 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 writing, via email in advance of the deadline. Students requesting extensions must also notify the Department by copying the Administrative Coordinator and Department Manager on all requests, including updates.
Individual advisers cannot grant extensions but must be included in the conversation.
For extensions beyond Dean's date, students must consult their Residential College Dean or Director of Studies.
One distinctive feature of the concentration in African American Studies is the plan for independent work in the junior year. In the spring, juniors write an 8,000 to 10,000-word (excluding bibliography and notes) Junior Paper, which is graded by the JP adviser.