Senior thesis planning

The Sociology methods course is The Social Research Process (SOC 202). Students needing an additional research methods course that covers the methods planned in their thesis should review options with their advisors.
Students planning to study away or abroad should begin discussion of a thesis project well in advance. Ideally, a student planning to be away from Clark in the second semester of the junior year should draft a thesis proposal in the preceding semester. Students studying off campus are still required to meet deadlines for submitting proposals.

Procedure for application

By early in the spring of the junior year, the prospective thesis candidate should approach at least one faculty member and discuss potential research topics. The prospective candidate should then designate a proposal advisor who will oversee the development of a research strategy and written proposal. Although a prospective thesis candidate may consult with any number of faculty members, one member of the Sociology Department faculty should be designated the proposal advisor.

By March 15 of the spring semester, an application for admission to the program must be submitted to the Sociology Department. This application should include:

• A transcript
• A proposal (approximately five pages)
• The research proposal should contain
• A clear statement of the central research question to be explored
• A description of the principal methods that will be used in the study
• A brief review of relevant scholarly work on the topic
• A preliminary bibliography indicating studies and documents, both those to be reviewed and those already consulted

By April 1, the Sociology Department will let students know whether their applications have been approved or denied. In some cases, the department may suggest that an applicant revise the proposal and resubmit it by a designated date.

A student who has not received final approval for beginning thesis research should register for four courses in the fall semester. Once a student’s proposal is approved, the student registers for Advanced Research (Directed Study, SOC 299), with the thesis advisor and may then drop one course for which the student has registered.

Students must submit copies of their approved proposals to the Department Office.

Fall semester of senior year: progress in research and writing

Students who are accepted into the honors program register for Advanced Research (Directed Study, SOC 299) during the fall semester of the senior year. This Directed Study counts for one credit.

In consultation with the thesis advisor, the candidate should select a thesis committee consisting of three people: the thesis advisor, one other member of the Sociology Department, and a third member either from the Sociology Department or from a department that is relevant to the thesis topic.

During the fall semester, most of the data collection and literature review should be completed, with periodic review by the thesis advisor. By December 1, a chapter, usually the literature review, and a detailed outline of the entire thesis must be submitted to the committee. A student wishing to submit the equivalent of a chapter (that is, several completed sections of different chapters) needs the approval of the advisor.

On the basis of the submitted chapter, the committee determines whether the student has a reasonable prospect of completing the thesis during the spring semester. The committee members may recommend either continuation or withdrawal. At this point, the student may independently decide to withdraw from the honors program and still receive credit for Advanced Research (Directed Study, SOC 299). Ordinarily, only Honors (SOC 297) fulfills the capstone requirement for the sociology major. Under very special circumstances, a student who has been advised to withdraw from thesis work can petition the Sociology Department for a change in this policy.

Spring semester of senior year: completion and evaluation of thesis

During the spring semester of the senior year, the prospective honors student registers for Honors (SOC 297) for two credits. Chapters or sections of the thesis must be presented to the advisor according to a defined schedule worked out between student and advisor.

By March 10, a first draft of the entire thesis must be completed and handed to the thesis advisor. The student is then expected to act on the recommendations of the advisor to revise or conduct additional research. A final draft of the thesis must be completed by April 1 and submitted to all members of the thesis committee. The thesis committee will meet to hear an oral “defense” of the thesis by April 15.

Failure to meet deadlines or to make the required revisions means the student forfeits the opportunity to receive honors. The student, at this point, may also elect to withdraw from further consideration for honors. In either event, the student must still complete an extensive written project to receive course credit and a grade.

The thesis committee will make the final determination of the awarding of honors. Two votes from the committee are needed for granting honors. The committee may also require revisions to be made after the defense. The thesis advisor is responsible for notifying the Registrar of the outcome of the oral defense.

The Sociology Department requires one copy of the final thesis.

Schedule for an honors thesis program

• Before spring semester junior year: Attend information session or discuss thesis requirements with a faculty member.
• By the end of the fall semester junior year: Complete at least two research methods courses.
• February 15 junior year: Identify advisor for completing proposal.
• March 15 junior year: Submit proposal to the Sociology Department. The proposal must
• be approved by the advisor before submission to the department.
• April 1 junior year: Receive notification about application (approval, required revision, deadline for resubmission, etc.
• April 15 or date designated by department: Submit copy of approved proposal to the Sociology Department office.
• Fall semester senior year: Register for Advanced Research (Directed Study, SOC 299).
• November 15 senior year: Form thesis committee with two additional members. At least one of these members must be in the Sociology Department.
• December 1 senior year: Submit a chapter, a detailed outline, and a full bibliography to all members of the thesis committee. Committee members then recommend continuation or withdrawal from the honors program.
• For spring semester senior year: Register for Honors (SOC 297) for two credits.
• March 10 senior year (or after spring break): Submit draft of entire thesis to advisor.
• April 1 senior year: Submit final draft of the thesis, including any revisions suggested by advisor, to designated thesis committee members.
• April 15 senior year: Conduct oral defense. Thesis committee decides about honors.
• April 25 senior year: Submit bound copy of the approved thesis to the Sociology Department office.
• Graduation senior year: Recognition granted to honors recipient.