We are sending out good vibes to our INTS Honors Thesis writers this semester:

Arabella Lazzaro is completing, "The Western Sahara Conflict: French Support for Moroccan Occupation." Dr. Lori Willard (Department of Modern Languages) is serving as the thesis supervisor.

Oliva Fambrini is writing, “New Neighbors: Host Community Responses to Syrian Refugee Arrivals in Lebanon and the United States” (working title). Dr. Bassem Hassan (Department of Political Science) is serving as the thesis supervisor.

The INTS program strongly encourages eligible students to complete an Honors Thesis. The Honors Program provides INTS students an opportunity to conduct in-depth research, work one-on-one with an INTS-affiliated faculty member, and develop unique expertise in a subject area and region of the world. International Studies is an interdisciplinary program, and some students find that the Honors Program allows them to focus in-depth on their chosen specialty. Graduates report that the Honors Program develops independence, maturity, research and analytical abilities, and critical thinking. Students are responsible for narrowing their research interests, working closely with faculty members, reference librarians, and administrators, managing their time (4-6 hours per week, generally), and completing high quality research and writing projects. Students may seek to publish their honors project (or selected portions) in an academic journal, specialty publication, or on an influential blog (publication is not required). Honors projects demonstrate to employers and graduate school admissions committees that a student is able to complete a major research project, defend arguments in both written and verbal form, and self-manage their work to successful completion. Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above in all major courses may compete for a degree in International Studies awarded with Latin Praise of cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude.

Contact the INTS program to learn more.