The Society for Renaissance Studies is pleased to announce that it will be awarding a prize for the best undergraduate student essay on a Renaissance topic submitted for the academic year 2011-2012. The essay will be for outstanding academic merit. Entries will be judged by members of the Council of the Society who will consult with other eminent scholars in the relevant field where necessary. The prize will be £200.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
- The essay should be between 2,000 and 5,000 words in length.
- It may be on any aspect of the Renaissance, providing it has been submitted in the current academic year as an element of the student’s usual assessment in their home institution (this must be an institution of higher education in the United Kingdom or Ireland).
CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT:
The essay should show an intelligent awareness of the question’s implications, thorough knowledge of the topic, and sophisticated use of secondary sources and theoretical issues where appropriate. The argument should clearly focus on the question and points should be supported by relevant quotations. An imaginative and original response, a sure grasp of the subject, and a challenging of received critical opinion are encouraged.
- It may be submitted in any major European language.
- The essay should be submitted in the original and unrevised state in which it was first submitted for marking by the home institution.
- The name of the candidate and the institution to which they are affiliated must not appear on the essay.
- The essay must be accompanied by a completed coversheet (available on the Society’s website).
- The name of the winner will be formally announced by the Society for Renaissance Studies at its October meeting. Candidates will be informed of the outcome by email.
- No correspondence can be entered into regarding individual entries. The judges’ decision is final.
SUBMISSION
Entries should be submitted electronically to Dr Sarah Alyn Stacey, French Department/Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland; salynsta@tcd.ie. The original marker and the candidate will receive an email confirming receipt of the entry.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries/ submissions: salynsta@tcd.ie
Website: http://www.rensoc.org.uk/
