BGS 399, Senior Thesis, is the final course in the BGS/BPS
program taken after completion of the senior seminars. A guided independent
research project focused on a single topic, allowing the student to conduct a
thorough, in-depth study in an area of interest. Thesis work provides an
opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the BGS/BPS
program by developing the qualities of independent and critical thinking. The
final 20-25 page research project is a thorough, clearly articulated
representation of the student’s educational accomplishments. Tutorial mode of
instruction. Prereq: completion of two senior seminars; student must be
within 21 semester hours of graduation.
Purpose:
A college graduate is expected to have certain intellectual abilities and skills – namely, to be able to read and to observe with critical intelligence and understanding; and to be able to gather information on virtually any subject, to analyze that information, and to present clear and logical conclusions about the subject investigated. These reading, writing, thinking and research skills were the focus of the student’s first course in the BGS program, and hopefully these skills have been developing in all the student’s subsequent coursework.
The purpose of the BGS Senior Thesis is to again require students to evaluate and expand these basic skills at the point at which they are about to graduate. Thus, this course seeks to prepare prospective BGS graduates for the rigor and sophistication of intellectual skills required for graduate study and to emphasize the importance of these skills for living and working in a modern society.
Content:
The major assignment of the BGS Senior Thesis is a guided independent research project on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with the instructor. The topic chosen should be of vital interest and relevance to the student since what is required is an intensive, thorough and rigorous investigation at a level not previously required of most undergraduate students. The final paper must clearly identify its thesis statement in the introduction, and then systematically support that statement with evidence and reasoning in a properly documented paper of 20-25 pages.
During the first four weeks of class, we will read and analyze several argument papers, including two past BGS Senior Theses, to give the student a clear view of what will be expected. We will discuss the evidence and reasoning presented in each of these papers, and our discussion will culminate with a take-home essay. In addition, the first four weeks of class will provide a broad review of different types of research projects and methods, and we will discuss each student’s thesis proposal.
After the fourth week, most of the rest of the course will be conducted on a tutorial basis, with each student meeting individually with the instructor on a regular basis according to prearranged schedules. There will be class sessions, however, during the 8th, 13th, 14th and 15th weeks, during which students will present informal and formal reports on their thesis projects.
Grades:
Most of the student’s grade will be determined by the quality of the final Thesis paper, but fully one-third of the grade will be based on class participation: the informal discussions in the early weeks of the course, the take-home essay, and the mid-term progress and final oral reports.
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