Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research isn’t an elite private school thing.
It’s a UIC English thing. It’s a you thing.
Independent research projects are a launchpad for your curiosity and creativity. They’re an opportunity to work one-on-one with a professor and explore a project that intrigues you. Don’t just take the class that’s offered; design the class you want to take.
The possibilities are endless… so think big. Your professors are pros at helping students transform a
general interest into an academic research question. What fascinates you? Who is your favorite author? What was your favorite course? What’s your dream course? Great research begins with big questions. Start asking them.
Recent undergraduate research projects include…
“Sympathy for the Devil: Milton’s Satan and Enlightenment Thought”
“The Epidemic of Neglect: How Literature Shapes Political Identity in Crisis”
“The Ideology of Choice: A Rhetorical Analysis of Charter Schools and Vouchers”
“Empty Flight: A Collection of Poetry”
“Negotiation, Information, and Construction: An Analysis of Collaboration in the Writing Center”
“Where the Birds Go: A Novel”
Talk to your favorite profs about ENGL 379 and ENGL 497, the independent study and senior thesis courses. Stop them after class. Brainstorm your idea. Invite them to direct your project. Don’t be shy. They get off on this stuff.
Undergraduate research. Don’t just take the class that’s offered. Design the class you want to take.
Research Courses
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ENGL 379 - Independent Study
English 379 is an Independent Study that allows students to pursue intellectual and creative interests that cannot be accommodated through regular coursework or workshops. Students who wish to take an independent study should have a substantial and well-defined set of texts and problems on which they intend to work, and they should choose to work with faculty whose expertise and research interests are plausibly linked to those issues.
This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major (8 hours maximum from one department, 16 hours overall). Please discuss any questions about degree progress with an advisor.
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ENGL 497 - Senior Thesis
In English 497 Senior Thesis, students will produce a sustained piece of critical or creative writing and present their work in an intimate group celebration at the end of the semester. The senior thesis is a great opportunity to create a writing sample for employers or graduate school. Students will arrange regular meetings with the faculty sponsor to discuss research methods and project progress.
This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major (8 hours maximum from one department, 16 hours overall). Please discuss any questions about degree progress with an advisor.
Distinction:
Please note that English 497 is not required in the major, but it is required for students to be eligible to graduate with Highest Distinction. While Honors College students can opt to enroll in ENGL 497 for credit in conjunction with their uncredited English-focused Honors Capstone project, students do not need to be in the Honors College in order to pursue ENGL 497.
Research Funding at UIC
Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Award (CURA)
The Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Award allows students who qualify for and have accepted Federal Work Study as part of their current year’s financial aid package to work as research assistants for hourly pay–at no cost to faculty or departments. Faculty apply online on behalf of the student(s) they have recruited. Students are hired by the faculty member’s department/research unit, just as any other Federal Work Study employee would be, and departments/research units are reimbursed through the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Academic Programs at the end of the fiscal year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until FWS enrollment ends for the campus as a whole.
LAS Undergraduate Research Initiative
The Liberal Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Initiative (LASURI) encourages students to develop their research skills by providing financial support to undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and their faculty mentors for one- or two-semester research projects. LASURI undergraduate recipients receive a scholarship of up to $1250 per semester. Most participants apply and are approved for two-semester projects, receiving up to $2500 for the full year. LASURI faculty mentors receive a fixed amount to assist with costs associated with the student’s project. The application process takes place once a year, during the spring semester, and applies to the following academic year.
Undergrad research
Undergraduate research.
Don’t just take the class that’s offered.
Design the class you want to take.