Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHAT IS A SENIOR THESIS?

   A senior thesis is a substantial, university-level project, supervised by a directing professor, that allows CHID students to explore further-and -to demonstrate the application of-their individual pathway through the CHID curriculum. Senior theses often take the form of long papers, though other formats are acceptable. The length and complexity of the project will depend on whether one chooses the 5-credit, 10-credit, or 15-credit option.
   
   

2. HOW DO I DECIDE BETWEEN THE 5-, 10-, AND 15-CREDIT OPTION?

   The basic guideline for the different credit options is the following: the more complex your topic of interest, the more credits you will need to develop a satisfactory project. The 15-credit option assumes a year-long process of research and writing (or equivalent work); the 10-credit option, a two quarter long process; the 5-credit option, a quarter long process. We strongly recommend that students do at least ten credits for the thesis project. In general, a 15-credit thesis should be 60-80 pages (or equivalent); a 10-credit thesis, 40-60 pages (or equivalent); a 5-credit thesis, 20-40 pages (or equivalent). After you have settled on a general area of interest, you should locate a professor who can direct your project, and who can help you determine the appropriate number of credits. Please note that CHID students who are also in the College Honors Program, or who hope to graduate with Distinction (Honors) in CHID must write a 15-credit thesis.
   
   

3. HOW DO I LOCATE A THESIS ADVISOR?

   You should select an instructor or professor who is knowledgeable concerning the topic in which you are interested (so, for example, if you are interested in a political science topic, you should locate someone in Political Science or the Jackson School; if you are interested in a new media topic, locate potential advisors in Communications; etc.). Advanced graduate students can serve as thesis advisors, provided the thesis topic is within their area of knowledge. If you are having difficulty identifying a faculty member who might serve as an advisor, come in and talk this over with the CHID advisor or a member of the CHID Core Faculty. Keep in mind that professors are not required to work with you (or any student) on a senior thesis, so it is important to request their help formally, courteously, and in advance. See also, How to Find a Thesis Advisor
   
   

4. WHAT SORTS OF PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTABLE? FOR EXAMPLE, CAN I WRITE A PLAY OR AN EPIC POEM?

   You must negotiate the form of your thesis with the directing professor. Regardless of the form/shape your thesis takes, however, you will be expected to critically engage the topic in written form. That is, you must write a reflective essay or analytical paper as one component of the project.
   
   

5. HOW DO I BEGIN THE SENIOR THESIS PROCESS?

   There are two steps you must take early on.

   • You must FIRST have your directing professor sign the "Senior Thesis Agreement" sheet. After you have obtained this, you can then sign up for CHID 491. Without a signed "Senior Thesis Agreement" sheet, you cannot begin the senior thesis process.
   • You must write a brief "Thesis Proposal," which describes the topic and approach of your thesis. The timeline for completing this will vary for different individuals. Some thesis advisors may require such a description prior to signing on for the student's project. Others may require that this be done during the first week of 491. In any case, you should plan to have the Thesis Proposal completed or nearly completed by the first time you meet for the CHID thesis class (491).
     
     
6. WHAT IS CHID 491?

   ALL students will take CHID 491, and this course focuses on practical approaches to formulating and pursuing intellectual questions. In addition to working on their individual senior theses, students will be responsible for weekly readings, meetings, short assignments and a final presentation.
   
   

7. HOW WILL GRADES BE DETERMINED?

   For all senior theses, whether 5-, 10-, or 15- credit, the directing professor will determine the majority of your final grade on the basis of the FINAL DRAFT of your thesis. For the first 5 credits of any senior thesis, 70% of the final grade will be determined by the directing professor, while the remaining 30% will be determined by the instructor of CHID 491. For students who choose the 10-and 15-credit thesis options, the remainder of the thesis grades will be determined entirely the directing professor after the thesis has been turned in (in the meantime, students will receive an "X" grade).