Minors can currently be taken in the following fields:
To successfully complete a Minor, you must:
— complete six courses (with a minimum GPA of 3.0 ) in the subject of your Minor. Four of these courses should also fulfill the Humanistic Studies requirements, so they may include Frameworks, Theory courses, Intellectual History courses, Literature courses,, Math/Science, and General Academic Electives. Two should be additional courses (from any of the above). Note: Minors have the same required course of study in Humanistic Studies as all students at MICA, along with two additional humanistic studies electives and a thesis.
— consult with your Academic Advisor and the Minors' Coordinator, Paul Jaskunas, before you register for any course that you intend to fulfill your Minor.
— Register for your Minor and complete the Registration form in your Sophomore or Junior year
— Complete a Minors' Thesis.
Requirements of the Minors' Thesis
The goal of the minors’ thesis is to offer students the opportunity to reflect deeply on the themes and issues they encountered while engaged (over a minimum of seven semesters) with a concentrated field of study in the HS department. The thesis, as a written record of that reflection, should follow these general parameters:
THESIS TIMELINE
FRESHMAN YEAR
Spring: students meet with minors’ coordinator to register for a minor and to choose from among the five concentrations (Literary Studies, Gender Studies, Creative Writing, Critical Theory, Culture and Politics).
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall: students meet with minors’ advisor to register for courses that will support their minor and/or introduce them to faculty advising in their minor concentration.
Spring: last chance to change concentrations; if possible, students should select a minor advisor (required by fall semester junior year). Students will meet with minors’ coordinator to register for liberal arts courses that support their minor.
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall: students must select an Faculty Thesis Advisor prior to registration for spring courses; they’ll meet with their Faculty Thesis Advisor during the registration period to decide on best courses to round out their minor. Students must update their course plan with the Minors’ Coordinator.
Spring: Students must meet with their Faculty Thesis Advisor during registration period; the “agenda” for this meeting should include: brainstorming possible thesis topics; discussing summer research; beginning a preliminary bibliography, and reviewing senior year requirements and deadlines.
SENIOR YEAR
Fall: By September 30: Students should schedule a meeting with their chosen Faculty Thesis Advisor in order to: review requirements for thesis; finalize thesis topic; set date for submission of abstract and preliminary bibliography. By November 15, students should submit abstract and preliminary bibliography (for creative writing minors, abstract is for the analytical portion of their thesis; in addition, students should also submit drafts of original work). In December, students meet with Faculty Thesis Advisors, who give feedback on abstract and bibliography. They also agree on appropriate documentation methods and style sheet, and set dates for spring semester. Students must update their course plan with the Minors’ Coordinator.
Spring Semester
February 15: First draft due to faculty advisor
March 1: Faculty feedback on first draft due to students
April 15: Final copy due to faculty advisor
May 1: Faculty approval of thesis
Prior to Commencement: Written evaluation from Faculty Advisor to student