DENISON UNIVERSITY WOODYARD SCHOLARS GUIDELINES Summer, 2012
The Woodyard Scholarships support both individual and collaborative research which is congruent with the theme, “Religion and Civic Responsibility,” for ten weeks during the summer of 2012. The scholarship is for a $3,700 stipend plus room. Student proposals will be evaluated by a faculty committee. The Woodyard Scholars will be housed in a University facility, from about mid-May to about mid-July, along with other students who are doing summer research. For the summer 2012 there will be opportunities for six students to receive research grants.
GUIDELINES
· First-year students, sophomores, juniors and seniors in all disciplines (and self-designed majors) are eligible. Applicants should have a 3.0 G.P.A. and have taken at least two or three courses in the Religion Department. In a collaborative project only religion majors/minors need to meet the course requirement.
· The research must culminate in a writing project by the students, to be completed by the end of the ten weeks. The students will be expected to make poster presentations in the fall. The project will be reviewed by the faculty supervisors who will write a brief report by mid-September.
· No academic credit may be awarded for the project itself, though the research may count for a part of senior research or another academic project. That is you may, with permission, substitute this experience for one semester of your senior research.
· Recipients of another major summer scholarship are not eligible. Summer Scholars should not hold jobs during the term of their research.
PROPOSALS
Proposals are due Friday, January 20, 2012 in the Religion Department, Knapp 310. You must:
1) Write an essay in which you develop in detail the nature of your research project. Give particular attention to specific issues you foresee investigating.
2) Identify the background you bring to this research. This should include Denison courses as well as appropriate experiences relating to the issues. If this is a collaborative project, indicate how your combined competencies will enable you to have a successful project.
3) While it may not be possible to have a firm commitment to an experiential component to the project, suggest some possible “hands on” opportunities you think would make important connections with your research.
4) Construct a bibliography of materials you want to explore. If you are doing
collaborative work, suggest readings in your field you want others to explore.
5) Secure a letter of recommendation from a faculty member other than Dr. Woodyard.
Students considering a research proposal must first have a discussion with Dr. Woodyard of the Religion Department. This may lead to discussions with other members of the department and perhaps some new considerations.