PURPOSEs
- To intensify and deepen students' knowledge in their major field
- To correlate this knowledge with knowledge acquired in related fields and in the larger area of students' university education
- To bring students under closer guidance or, and into closer acquaintance with, teachers in their major field.
Graduation with departmental honors will never be a matter solely of performance in required and standard courses or of grade point averages in either the field of specialization or the entire program of the student. Continuance in departmental honors programs and the level of honors at which the candidates will graduate are at the discretion of the department.
The minimum requirement for graduation with departmental honors in the College of Fine Arts is the completion of no fewer than 6 credit hours in MUS 499 Departmental Honors.
eligibility
To be eligible for the departmental honors program in the College of Fine Arts, the applicant must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a minimum of 60 hours in residence at the University of New Mexico. The application must be submitted at least two semesters prior to graduation. In addition, applicants should have demonstrated a high level of maturity, pursuit of excellence, and the aility to work and think independently.
the honors project
The honors project will culminate with a product appropriate to the area of study. This product may be primarily written and, if so, should be similar in structure to a master's degree thesis. The project may also result in a creative product; if so, it must be accompanied by a supporting written document. The scopr of the completed product should be commensurate with the level of study.
THESIS PROJECT: The format for an undergraduate thesis project should be similar in structure to
- the written thesis for the Master of Music in Music History and Literature. The guidelines for these are found in the UNM Graduate Bulletin and in a publication titled Thesis and Dissertation Manual, available at the UNM Bookstore.
OR
- the project undertaken by those at the master's level in Music Education (i.e., an original, empirical, or practical project carried out under faculty supervision and resulting in a substantial written report).
For both project above, the measure of or the extent of the final paper is not supposed to equal a master's thesis, but the level of research involvement and the quality of the paper should be commensurate with that expected of graduate students.
COMPOSITION/THEORY PROJECT: The honors candidate may submit a theoretical document or an original composition. In the case of the latter project, the composition must be accompanied by a supporting paper, and a public performance is required.
RECITAL: A special recital, similar to the graduate recital, is appropriate. Please see the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for specific requirements concerning recital preview, significant program notes, and program distribution.
application procedure
Prior to applying, interested students should make an appointment with the department undergraduate advisor, who will explain the basic requirements and mechanics of the program. Application forms may be obtained from the advisor or in the Fine Arts Advisement Center, Center for the Arts 1103. A coompleted application form should be submitted to the instructor being requested to serve as faculty tutor. This instructor's signature on the application form will indicate approval of the project and the willingness to serve as faculty tutor. In addition, the instructor will write a letter of recommendation in support of the applicant and the project. The application form, letter of recommendation and the signatures of the student's honors committee are to be submitted to the Music Graduate Committee chairperson for approval. With approval, the application form will constitute a contractual agreement and the student will enroll in MUS 499 Departmental Honors. In the cas of disapproval, the applicant will be notified in writing and will be provided with reasons for the decision.
A faculty committee of studies will be employed to oversee the student's project. The student will choose the members of an honors committee and submit their signatures as part of the application.
work in progress
In consultation with the faculty tutor, the student shall write a formal plan of studies, which is to include dates for completion of all required work. The student's progress will be carefully monitored by the faculty tutor and an honors committee. It is the responsibility of the student to mak all arrangements required for performances or exhibits. The honors project should be completed during the student's senior year.
project evaluation
On completion of all requirements, the honors committee will submit an evaluation of the project and a recommendation for the level of honors and forward them to the department chairperson for final review and approval.
application forms
