Types of Projects
Direct, Hands-On Research (lab, on-site, field)
Your project may be based on the research of an off-campus advisor, or it may come out of your own research related to an internship or study abroad program. In many cases, the student works directly in a research laboratory, so that the project derives directly from the off-campus experience. The student completes the data collection and develops the thesis after returning to UM-Flint.
Research related to the Off-Campus Experience
In the case of an internship or study abroad program, the project should be related to the actual off-campus experience, but the research does not need to be carried out as part of the off-campus experience. The student may produce a research paper in a topic related to the off-campus experience.
In some cases, students undertake an internship that allows them access to particular records or data on which they can base a paper. One student researched tax fraud while working for a governmental organization that investigates such matters.
Foreign Languages
Foreign languages present a special case. The foreign language student in Honors may undertake a study program to improve language skills, and then choose a topic for an extended research paper. The off-campus experience is designed not to provide direct research or collection of data, but instead to provide the skills necessary to undertake a more advanced research project based the study of a foreign literature, or of a foreign culture.
Creative Work
The student may also choose a site conducive to the development of a creative work, as long as the site is viewed by the advisor, the Honors Director and the Honors Council as appropriate. The student must provide an adequate rationale for the choice, and provide indication that the planned undertaking is a serious endeavor. For example, a student produced a book of poetry and fairy tales while working in a rural setting in Canada. Another student wrote a novel based on intercultural experiences, and spent the off-campus study in Europe gathering information and developing a better understanding of intercultural differences.
Additional Projects
Any project agreed upon as appropriate by the Honors Advisor, the Honors Director and the Honors Council.