Expectations and Procedures
The Senior Thesis or Project in Asian Studies is meant to allow students to explore in depth a topic of their choosing related to Asia. There is a wide range of possible topics, but generally the thesis or project must deal with an issue related specifically to Asia. The Asian Studies Faculty Advisor must approve all topics. Students are encouraged to be innovative in their analysis, and are expected to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the current scholarship on their topic. Beyond surveying such scholarship, the thesis or project should also present an argument or raise a specific question regarding the topic. The thesis is expected to be a minimum of 35 pages in length, and must include a comprehensive bibliography. Students who choose to do a project instead, for example a documentary film or a performance, must work out the details and expectations with the Asian Studies Faculty Advisor.
There is no formal meeting time or structure for the Senior Thesis. Students taking ASIA 4830 are registered with the Asian Studies Faculty Advisor as the instructor of record. After you register for the course, you must fill out and submit this form to the Faculty Advisor so that your thesis topic can be approved. Students are responsible for selecting a primary Thesis Advisor for their thesis, and the Faculty Advisor can help with this. The thesis will be read and evaluated by the student’s Thesis Advisor. When the work is completed the student will be required to present it at a student-faculty forum.
Any questions regarding these procedures or expectations should be directed to the Asian Studies Faculty Advisor.