Curriculum: Senior Thesis
Recognizing the importance of individual research and writing, the history major culminates in a senior thesis for all history students. For a full year students work closely with a faculty advisor on a topic of their own choosing. The 400-level courses are intended to help students develop the skills needed to conduct substantial independent research.
The senior thesis is built around a two-semester seminar designed to guide senior majors through the research, drafting and revising of a substantial, original piece of writing. The seminar offers seniors the opportunity to practice the craft of historical writing through independent research. Over the fall semester, seniors complete a series of assignments that help them conceptualize, research, and write a thesis. The first semester culminates in a 10-12 page prospectus of the thesis, together with a bibliography of primary and secondary sources. During the spring semester, students complete their research and then focus on writing and revising the thesis.