The senior thesis is the capstone intellectual experience of your college career.  A thesis in American Studies is an original and substantive piece of research and writing that addresses an intellectual problem of your choosing.  It allows you a chance to delve deeply into a set of issues that you find important and compelling. The thesis is an expression of your own thinking and allows you the opportunity to craft a work in which you believe.

Process: This course not only will help you research and write your senior thesis, but it also will provide the opportunity to work with other American Studies majors in a collaborative and supportive environment.  The end result of your work this semester will be a detailed thesis prospectus (including a critical literature review of relevant secondary sources, a research plan, and an outline), a complete draft of one chapter of the thesis, and a body of original research. 

Along the way you will identify a thesis topic, define a research question, identify appropriate sources, conduct primary research, and begin writing the actual thesis. The only outside readings will be a short book about research and one outside source each person chooses for their literature review and which we will all read. 

In the spring semester, you will register for an independent study (AMST 191) with your adviser to finish your thesis.  Both full-credit courses (this one and the spring independent study) are required for the major. 

Advisers/readers: Two Claremont American Studies faculty will serve as your first and second readers.  Their involvement is critical to a successful thesis. If you haven't already done so, decide as soon as possible whom you want to ask to be your readers.  At Scripps this is required for formal registration for the thesis.  You should meet with your first reader as soon as possible to clarify exactly how they wants to proceed and to ask them to direct your independent study in the spring. Once you have confirmed readers, you will email me their names. Keep your readers informed of what you are doing in the seminar as well as keeping the seminar informed of any input provided by your readers.

Attendance:  Regular attendance is required.  Please let me know if an emergency will keep you from coming to class.  Every unexcused absence will lower your grade by one grade (A to B, for instance).  

Grading: Your grade will be based upon the effort you put into your work this semester and your contributions to the class. Some assignments will receive a formal grade, other will be on a credit/no credit basis as indicated below. 

• Elements of a thesis

• Titles of Previous Am Studies Theses

• Prospectus Outline

• Prospectus Organization

• Research plan and Methodology instructions

• How to comment on other folk's work

• Some suggestions for research software

• Library Research Guides

• Hackett and Fisher, Research and Documentation

• Willa K. Baum, Oral History Tips
  

• Judith Moyer, Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History