Prof. Michael Marks
Office: Smullin 332
Office Tel. 503-370-6932
E-mail: mmarks@willamette.edu
Home Page: http://www.willamette.edu/~mmarks
Office Hours: MWF: 10:15-11:15, TTh: 11:15-12:15

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide a structured environment in which students will undertake an analytical research and writing project. The senior thesis represents the culmination of each student's undergraduate education at Willamette University. As such, it should include the development of a clear, concise, coherent, and logical thesis argument, "original" research that goes beyond summaries of books and articles, analysis of competing claims, and a presentation format worthy of the student's advanced knowledge of social science methodologies. Research and writing of the senior thesis is designed to prepare Politics majors for post-undergraduate careers, whether they are in graduate school, education, law, business, public service, or other professional activities.

Course Organization

Class time and a regular classroom have been set aside for this course. However, we shall not necessarily meet as a group every week. In addition to semi-regular class meetings at the scheduled classroom hours, students will work closely with me in development and completion of their senior theses. Students will be obligated to meet with me at least once every week to discuss their projects. Each student should come prepared for these meetings to present their work-in-progress including ongoing bibliographies, outlines, writing samples, etc. In turn, I will provide both oral and written comments on student work, guidance on appropriate methodologies, and references to additional resource materials. Through this ongoing process of consultation, students will be expected to re-write drafts of their thesis until they have produced a quality piece of analysis.

Class sessions will provide a forum for students to think collectively about the senior thesis project. In addition, students in the course will have the opportunity to read their peers' work and offer support, critiques, suggestions, and frank assessments. Students therefore will be expected to read their peers' work and be prepared to discuss them with a high degree of engagement and dedication.

Written and Oral Assignments

In addition to the final senior thesis, students will be asked to submit a preliminary 5-10 page thesis prospectus that outlines their research project, an abstract (one-paragraph synopsis of the paper), a literature review, an annotated bibliography, and an official first draft, along with revisions of the first draft in preparation for submission of the final product.

Students will also be required to make an oral presentation and "defense" of their senior thesis. Because the senior thesis is designed to prepare students for their post-Willamette careers, oral communication and defense of analytical arguments - whether they be graduate dissertations, primary or secondary school class preparations, legal briefs, business proposals, policy initiatives, or simply personal convictions - is a critical feature of the undergraduate education.

Grading

The final grade will be determined as follows: Thesis prospectus (including abstract, literature review, and annotated bibliography) 15%; First draft of thesis 20%; Second draft 15%; Oral presentation 10%; Final draft of thesis 40%.

Incompletes will be given only under exceptional circumstances such as serious illness. You may appeal any of your grades during office hours only after you have handed in a typed, reasoned memorandum detailing the specific reasons why you think the grade you received is not justified.

Late writing assignments will be assessed a one-third grade penalty per day (e.g., a B+ paper handed in a day late receives a B, two days late a B-, etc.).

About Class Participation

Given the collaborative nature of the senior thesis process, students are expected to participate in offering guidance and feedback to their peers. Therefore, students are expected to be prepared to discuss each other's work in progress. Shyness will be respected, but silence will not be allowed. I also thus reserve the right to raise final grades for superior classroom participation, and lower final grades for unpreparedness, disruptiveness, and deficient classroom attendance.

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

Laptop computers can assist in note taking and wireless Internet access on campus can aid in organized classroom exercises. However, laptop computers can also be a classroom distraction. Laptop computers are permitted in class for note taking purposes. Additionally, there may be occasions when the class as a whole may want to use the campus wireless network to look things up online. However, please refrain from checking e-mail, online chatting, websurfing, game playing, etc. during class. If you are observed doing so during class time, you will asked to no longer bring your laptop to class. Additionally, cell phones should be turned off prior to class.

Optional Course Texts

There are no assigned readings for this course aside from the materials students will collect in the course of their research. However, students might find one or more of the following writing and style manuals useful in preparing their theses. These books can be purchased from any online book retailer (e.g., Powell's, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.). The purpose of these books is to provide guidance to students regarding the standards, mechanics, and goals of writing in the social sciences in general, and politics in specific. Purchase of any of these books is optional.

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1995). ISBN: 0-226-06584-7.

Jon Furberg and Richard Hopkins, College Style Sheet (Point Roberts, WA: Bendall Books, 1993). ISBN: 0-9696985-0-X.

Jose L. Galvan, Writing Literature Reviews (Third Edition) (Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2006). ISBN: 1-884585-66-3.

Diana Hacker, Rules for Writers (Third Edition) (Boston: Bedford Books, 1996). ISBN: 0-312-11966-6.

M. Ling Pan, Preparing Literature Reviews (Second Edition) (Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2004). ISBN: 1-884585-56-6.

Gregory M. Scott and Stephen M. Garrison, The Political Science Student Writer's Manual, (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995). ISBN: 0-13-060634-0.

Thinking and Writing: A Guide for College Students (Brandywine Press, 1997). ISBN: 1-881-089-41-X.

Course Schedule (Subject to revision)