Special Requirements

Honors in Film Studies (FST 499)

The Honors College adheres to the departmental honors requirements set forth by the Film Studies department. 

Click here to learn more about FST 499 requirements

Honors in Creative Writing (CRW 499)

GPA required for majors doing Departmental Honors CRW 499 only: 3.75 GPA

GPA required for majors in the 4-year Honors curriculum (University Honors with CRW 499): 3.5 GPA

The Department of Creative Writing has established guidelines for CRW majors who are embarking on Departmental Honors: CRW 499. Please follow these guidelines carefully, as they are set to ensure a successful and orderly completion of the Honors process.

1. Students bear the responsibility for becoming fully informed about the Honors process.
   • Obtain a copy of the Honors College Student Handbook from the Honors website.
   • Familiarize yourself with the standards, expectations and procedures involved with earning University/Departmental Honors.
2. You must attend all information sessions offered by the Honors College.
   • The Department of Creative Writing considers these sessions to be mandatory, because they are essential to your full understanding of the Honors standards, expectations and procedures.
   • Failure to attend will jeopardize approval of the Honors project by the Department of Creative Writing.
3. You must meet all deadlines set out by the CRW Department and the Honors College. Failure to meet deadlines jeopardizes the successful completion of the Honors project.
4. The Honors project is an individual effort—conceptualized, planned and carried out by the student.
   • Your director can help refine the project's scope, but the responsibility for the work remains with the student.
   • Students who plan carefully and pace themselves throughout the Honors year will have the best chance earning of a successful Honors experience.
5. Your Honors project director will be your instructor in Creative Writing 496: Senior Seminar.
   • You are to take this course in your final semester at UNCW.
   • The department may not know who the instructor will be at the time of your initial registration.
   • You should take questions to the Honors College and to your academic advisor in CRW until the class schedule can be set for your final year.
6. Complete all Honors enrollment forms before submitting to CRW for approval.
   • Include your name, ID number, project particulars, etc.
   • The department will not accept blank forms.
7. The Honors year covers two academic semesters.
   • Typically, a research/reading semester in the fall and a writing semester in the spring.
   • Plan your project carefully before the start of the research/reading semester.
8. We understand that projects change during the research/reading semester. You are not strictly bound by your initial plan, but you must maintain the spirit of the plan and receive approval for changes from your honors project director in CRW.
   • Without question, you must solidify the scope of your project during the research/reading semester.
   • You may not change your Honors project in your final semester.
   • If circumstances arise that require changing the project, you should delay graduation or drop your enrollment in CRW 499.
9. We suggest you read several of the Honors project papers on file in the Honors College to familiarize yourself with Honors projects.
   • Several CRW majors have written impressive Honors papers.
   • These will serve as useful models for you.
10. The Honors project in CRW usually takes one of two forms:
    • An expansion of your senior CRW thesis, including an expanded critical preface (25 pages, minimum, with formal Works Cited in MLA format) and expanded creative work (75 pages, minimum). The entire thesis should be conceptualized and presented as a cohesive work, in the way books often contain author introductions before creative content. You may not simply add extra creative work to a standard CRW thesis and present it as an Honors thesis. OR
    • An independent project that stands separate from the senior thesis. This option requires you to produce an independent Honors thesis (critical preface and creative work that meet Honors department standards) in addition to the CRW senior thesis (also a critical preface and creative work). Using this option, you should consider this work as separate, free-standing works: one for the Honors thesis and one for the CRW senior thesis.
      • To determine which option you will follow, discuss your project with your thesis director.

11. Work with your thesis director to schedule your CRW 499 defense.
    • The director will secure the meeting space.
    • If you need a room outfitted with A/V equipment, please make that known when you schedule the defense.
    • It is up to you to notify all committee members, along with the Honors College, of the date and time for the defense.
    • Send reminders to everyone a few days before your defense. An e-mail reminder will suffice.
12. Complete the defense according to the timetable set out by the Honors College.
13. The defense provides you an opportunity to talk about your Honors experience and what you learned.
    • At the defense, present an oral overview of your CRW 499 project.
    • Talk about your motivations for taking on the project, provide details of your reading.
    • Explain the artistic aims and accomplishments of the creative portion of the thesis.
    • You may read brief, relevant portions of your work, but be mindful of time management.
    • Visual aids are welcome; these may include electronic files, but should serve only as ancillary materials and not take the place of your oral presentation.
14. Please bring all project cover pages to the defense. These must use the correct paper and printing specifications set out by the Honors College.
15. Meet all final deadlines set by your faculty supervisor and the Honors College following your defense.
16. Attend the Honors medallion ceremony which is to be scheduled and announced by Honors.