Fall 2016

SEPTEMBER 2

Meet in Blodgett 305.

Thinking about topics and approaches to your senior thesis.

Jan Andrews presents on whether your thesis requires IRB approval.
Barbara Durniak presents on how the library can help you formulate a topic.

Required reading:

Hopping, Luke. 2014. "DREAMers Act: How Undocumented Latina/o Youth Define Citizenship through Online Discourse." Vassar College Sociology Department senior thesis.

Schenk, Hannah. 2014. "Theater and Social Change: How Small-Town Theaters Reproduce and Resist Inequality." Vassar College Sociology Department senior thesis.

Przeworski, Adam and Frank Salomon. 1995. The Art of Writing Proposals. Washington, DC: Social Science Research Council.

September 9: no class

SEPTEMBER 16

Developing a thesis proposal.

Bring to class a 2-5 page rough draft of a thesis proposal. No need for an annotated bibliography yet, but do make clear whether you will seek IRB approval.

Suggested reading:

Becker, Writing for Social Scientists, Chapter 1: "Freshmen English for Graduate (read 'senior') students."

Luker, Salsa Dancing in An Age of Info-Glut: chapters 3, 4, 5, 9 and wherever you find useful information.

Why not browse a past senior thesis?

September 23: no class

SEPTEMBER 30

Official deadline:
Students submit thesis proposal, annotated bibliography and thesis outline by noon to the Sociology Department office.

Roundtable to discuss the state of your senior thesis proposals.

Suggested reading:

Becker, Writing for Social Scientists, Chapter 8: "Terrorized by the Literature."

October 7: no class

Note: the Sociology Department meets on Friday, October 7 to assign thesis advisers, who will get in touch with you directly soon after. You are expected to follow up and have an immediate meeting with them regarding your senior thesis.

OCTOBER 14

How to respond to your thesis adviser's feedback to shape/narrow your thesis approach: roundtable and peer review.

Required: have attended a meeting with your thesis adviser.

Required reading:

Senior theses by Danielle Falzon ('12) and Luke Hopping ('14).

Fall Break: October 15-23

OCTOBER 28

Writing a first chapter (and not necessarily "Chapter 1").

Suggested reading:

Becker, Writing for Social Scientists, Chapter 3 ("One Right Way") and Chapter 7 ("Getting it out the Door").

November 4: no class

NOVEMBER 11

Writing a first chapter (cont.).

No, really — class time will be set aside for working on your first chapter. Bring your laptop!

November 18: no class

Official deadline:
Students submit first chapter and revised outline by noon to the department.

Send a copy of your first chapter to new peer reviewer.

Diane and Leonard will be available for consultation during class period.

November 25: no class

December 2: no class

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

Planning research for the winter break.

Bring a realistic schedule for your winter break thesis plans (i.e., which chapters will be written by which dates).

Re-read, roundtable and peer review first chapters. How does your revised outline reflect changes to your thesis question?

Seasonal celebration! Allow extra time after 6 pm, please.

Winter break: December 17 - January 24

Spring 2017

JANUARY 27

Okay, let's see what you've got!

Bring one new chapter that you've worked on over the break.

Peer review of chapters.
Roundtable: what has changed in your thesis since you started working on the full draft?
Discussion: new semester and new work plans.

FEBRUARY 3

Okay, let's see what you've got! (cont.)

Bring another new chapter that you've worked on over the break.

Peer review of chapters.

Suggested reading:

Luker, Salsa Dancing  Into the Social Sciences, Chapter 11: "Living Your Life as a Salsa-Dancing Social Scientist."

FEBRUARY 10

Okay, let's see what you've got! (cont.)

Bring a third new chapter that you've worked on over the break.

February 17: no class

Official deadline:
Students submit first draft of senior thesis by noon to the department.

February 24: no class

MARCH 3

The hard part: letting go of what you've written.

Due: a "reverse outline" of the draft you turned in two weeks ago.

MARCH 10

Let's work!

Bring your laptop to class and your thesis-under-construction.
In class: develop a spring break thesis plan.

Spring break: March 11-26

MARCH 31

The art of writing a conclusion.

Bring your concluding chapter to class.

Peer review and roundtable.

April 7: no class

APRIL 14

Don't forget... the bibliography.

Bring your laptop and the ASA Style Guide to class.

April 21: no class

Official deadline:
Students submit final draft of senior thesis to the department.

Now... go out and celebrate!!!

May 10 (estimated)

Department meeting to finalize thesis grades.
Expect to receive final grades after this date.