Students writing their senior essays meet periodically in the fall and weekly in the spring for a colloquium directed by the director of undergraduate studies. The essay, written under the supervision of a member of the department, should be a substantial paper between 12,500 and 15,000 words.
Fall 2025
Please note that your advisor may set additional deadlines for your progress.
| Dates and deadlines | Meetings and requirements |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 2 | Mandatory Meeting #1 (9:25-11:15) |
| August 27 – September 14 | Choose and meet with your designated advisor by September 16. Be sure to fill-out a Statement of Intent form The advisor has a form to complete, too. |
| Tuesday, September 16 | Mandatory Meeting #2 (9:25-11:15) Statement of Intent DUE to the DUS. |
| Tuesday, September 23 | Mandatory Library Research Colloquium (9:25-11:15), with Suzanne Estelle-Holmer, the Yale Librarian for Religious Studies. |
| September 23 to October 7 | Schedule an individual research meeting with a reference librarian. Complete the Library Research Colloquium Form |
| Tuesday, October 7 |
Mandatory Meeting #3 (9:25-11:15) Library Research Colloquium form DUE to the DUS. |
| Tuesday, October 14 | Prospectus DUE to your advisor and DUS. |
| Tuesday, October 21 | Mandatory Meeting #4 (9:25-11:15) |
| Tuesday, November 4 | Annotated Bibliography DUE to your advisor and DUS. |
| Tuesday, November 11 | Mandatory Meeting #5 (9:25-11:15) |
| Tuesday, December 2 | 10-page Draft or Detailed Outline DUE to your advisor and DUS. |
Spring 2026
Note: Dates may be subject to change
| Dates and deadlines | Meetings and requirements |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 13 to February 10 | Students will give presentations on their senior essay topics to the DUS and their classmates during the Senior Essay meeting time (Tuesdays 9:25-11:15). Describe your project, identify the methods employed in your research to-date, and summarize your preliminary results and conclusions. Schedule of presentations to be arranged at the start of term. |
| Tuesday, February 17 | One Chapter of Essay DUE to your advisor and DUS. |
| Friday, March 27 | First Draft of Essay DUE to your advisor and DUS. |
| Monday, April 13 | FINAL DEADLINE for submission of completed SENIOR ESSAY. Three copies must be submitted by 5pm on this date: one to each of your advisors and one to the DUS (it is your responsibility distribute the three copies of the essay to each of these readers.) |