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You must register in a decimalized Linguistics 598 (Independent Research) course which should have a descriptive title (e.g. ‘Honours Thesis in X'). The most significant aspect of the course is to write a thesis, worth 60 to 100% of the course grade. The thesis supervisor, determined by the mutual consent of the student and a faculty member, is the Instructor of Record for the course. All pertinent information should be contained in the course outline, kept on file in the School main office.

The Thesis Committee consists of the supervisor and a reader (another faculty member, who may be external to the School). The reader should be determined by the supervisor in consultation with the student by January 31. The role of the reader is to comment on and evaluate the thesis.  In assigning the grade for the thesis, the reader acts in an advisory capacity to the supervisor who is solely responsible for determining the thesis and course grades.

The general area of the thesis topic (e.g. language acquisition, phonology) should be determined before the student’s registration in Linguistics 598 is approved.

Although originality is not required, it is desirable. A well-documented survey or a reanalysis of an existing description is acceptable. Organization of materials, lucidity of exposition, and the development of a formal writing style should be emphasized. Normally the Style Sheet of the Linguistic Society of America is followed. Honours theses tend to be from 40 to 60 pages. Follow the Faculty of Graduate Studies Thesis/Dissertation Guidelines in preparing the final version of your thesis.

The student should submit a copy of the thesis to each of the Committee members by March 1. Final grade will be assigned AFTER completion of all revisions, as grade will be based on final product. Please note:  If a deferral is required, student will miss June convocation and will not graduate until fall convocation (November).

Once revisions have been completed to the satisfaction of the supervisor, one bound copy of the thesis should be deposited in the School collection. Final acceptance of the thesis is indicated by the signatures of the supervisor and the reader on the signature page.