Thesis and Capstone
As one way to complete the signature learning experiences, our students will complete the senior capstone course, along with the option to complete a senior thesis.
Capstone Course
Capstones are one of the five options students have for completing one of their two Signature Learning Experiences. The Department of History has a Capstone course that all History majors take in their senior year. The capstone course covers a specific topic within the department and is described below in detail.
HI 450 - Topics in Historiography
This course provides students with the opportunity to think critically about how historians interpret the past. Rather than simply reading for content, he or she will analyze the cultural assumptions, biases, and interpretive approaches that shape historical writing. In short, we will focus not on the "what" of history but on the "why" and "how." Each year the History Department awards the Joe Zaccano Prize to the student who writes the best paper or project in HI 450. Recent students who have won the Zaccano Prize include:
- “Academics vs. Popularizers: Who Tells Our Story", Gwen Fries
- “What is the Value of Numbers? The Use of Quantitative Methods in History", Chris Panetta
- “The Measure of the Man: A Historiographical Exploration of Chiang Kai-Shek", Shanise Marshall
Senior Thesis
Completing a Senior Thesis is another option for participating in a Signature Learning Experience. A thesis is an significant research project completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. These projects vary in topic and focus, but address a specific research question and entail in-depth analysis. In the past, History majors have covered topics such as:
The thesis option allows students to more deeply explore topics of interest with a faculty-mentor. Senior theses are generally completed for Honors in the Discipline (HID) credit and are initiated by a departmental invitation.