How do Theses, Essays, or Special Projects/Performances play a part in Honors?
Thesis/Essay: One of the preparations of a student’s program may be a thesis, dependent upon departmental requirements and/or student preference, or an essay based on a preparation of a course + attachment. Neither involves a written exam. The thesis is graded solely by the outside Honors examiner and is given a letter grade which is part of the student’s Swarthmore academic record and appears on the transcript. The essay (+ course materials component) is also graded by the examiner, but that letter grade serves as the grade for only the essay (attachment) component of the preparation. The Swarthmore instructor gives the grade for the course. If the student has registered for the thesis or the essay (attachment) prior to spring of the senior year, it will be given a grade of IP, awaiting the Honors examiner’s mark in the spring semester. Swarthmore instructors are not to give a grade to any thesis or thesis-like project. Special Project/Performance: One of the preparations of a student
