Senior Research

Senior Research Capstone

The Senior Research Capstone in the International Affairs Program is a year-long project that provides an opportunity for highly motivated majors to research and write a scholarly paper of roughly the length of a traditional academic article (approximately 10000 words), utilizing both primary and secondary sources to defend a clearly stated argument/thesis. The capstone option involves following a number of steps - detailed below - over the course of an entire year, beginning late in the Spring semester of the student’s junior year and culminating in a public presentation of the research project during Skidmore College’s Academic Festival.

Students are eligible to submit a capstone proposal if they have a GPA in the major of 3.5 or better and the written approval of a faculty advisor (see below) from the International Affairs faculty.

Guidelines for completion of a Senior Thesis

1. Eligible students interested in writing a senior capstone must identify and receive the approval of a faculty capstone advisor, and work with them to submit the required questionnaire, found at the end of this document, by May 15th of their junior year. For the questionnaire, students must formulate a specific research question, compile a preliminary bibliography, and be able to provide evidence that they have done the course and preparatory work necessary to complete their proposed research project. The May 15th deadline applies to all students, including those studying abroad. International Affairs faculty are not obligated to direct a senior capstone, and will decide whether to accept or reject a student's invitation based on factors such as topic fit, faculty availability, and assessments of student preparedness, and commitment.
2. Students who have had their proposal approved by the program will enroll in a 3 or 4 credit capstone preparation independent study with their faculty advisor for the Fall semester. For the independent study, students will work with the advisor to develop a schedule of meetings, reading lists, assignments, and assignment deadlines. At the end of the Fall semester, students will have developed a research design for their project. Each student's grade for the independent study and eligibility to continue thesis work in the spring semester will be based on the advisor’s assessment of the student’s commitment to the thesis project, preparation for meetings, progress in researching the topic, and the quality of the written work. Students must receive a final grade of at least "B" in the Fall independent study to continue in the Spring. Students continuing in the Spring term will enroll in a 3 credit capstone independent study with their faculty advisor.
3. Students will also meet with their capstone advisor prior to the conclusion of the fall semester to establish a schedule for the completion of various drafts of the thesis in the spring.
4. The spring semester is devoted primarily to researching, writing, and revising multiple drafts. The final draft of the capstone must be turned in to the advisor by April 15th.

Senior Capstone Presentation

1. Students will present their research during Skidmore College’s Academic Festival held in the final weeks of the Spring semester. The session will be open to the public, including IA (and other) faculty and students.
2. At the Academic Festival session, students should be prepared to offer a formal presentation that summarizes their research question(s), thesis, methodology, and findings as well as provide thoughtful responses to questions posed by the members of the audience.
3. At the conclusion of the presentation, the capstone advisor will solicit feedback from other IA faculty members who may be in attendance, which will be used in part by the advisor to determine the final grade for the capstone project.
4. All students who complete a senior research capstone must submit an electronic copy to the department administrative assistant by May 1.

Senior Capstone questionnaire

Students who wish to write a senior capstone must complete this form and submit it to their prospective thesis advisor and International Affairs Program Director by May 15 prior to their senior year.

Complete the senior capstone questionnaire