The thesis will enter the ongoing intellectual conversation concerning its subject by engaging sources that both inform its subject matter and its method for approaching that subject. When practical, the thesis will include some sources in the language of the junior year siteDepending on the nature of its subject and approach, the finished thesis will normally run approximately 40–50 pages (or the equivalent).
By March 15th, students submit a complete draft (with abstract) to the thesis director, who passes it on to the second reader. By April 1, the student receives feedback from the second reader.
Students submit final draft to thesis director for grading and deposit by April 15th (including a copy in electronic form).
A traditional thesis includes: an Abstract, a Title Page, a Table of Contents, the body of the thesis divided into chapters, a list of References/Bibliography, and Appendices (optional)
Criteria of Excellence
CONTENT
The thesis must enter into an intellectual conversation concerning its subject by engaging relevant sources from a range of disciplines that effectively inform its subject and related questions posed by the thesis, or, conversely, that effectively interrogate conclusions proposed by the thesis and its method for approaching that subject. The theoretical framework of the thesis should be developed from primary and secondary research by the student, which should include reference to primary and secondary texts appropriate to the work and priorities of CSI. Evidence of the ability to ‘read’ and apply meaning drawn from primary texts is particularly important. When appropriate, the thesis should deploy primary or secondary sources in the language of the junior year site.
The thesis is a requirement for a degree in Global Liberal Studies and as such its subject should have global or transnational resonance and exhibit awareness of the distinct physical, socio-political and cultural aspects of each place under consideration.
WRITING
The clarity and fluency with which arguments are proposed, elaborated and supported is important, as are vocabulary, grammar, sentence and paragraph structure. The structure of chapters may be traditional or not, but each chapter needs an introduction or roadmap to its contents as well as a conclusion or summation and read together, the chapters should amount to a coherent work.
Depending on the nature of its subject and approach, the finished thesis will normally be 50 pages or more, however, length is not regarded as indicative of excellence.