Thank you for agreeing to advise a CHID senior thesis. Please sign the 493 form once you have agreed to work with a student and have established mutual agreements and expectations. We hope that you enjoy this process and we always welcome your feedback.
Overview of the CHID Thesis
Students have the option of completing a 10 or 15-credit thesis. CHID 491 (5 credits) is an instructional course dedicated to helping the student begin the thesis process. All thesis students take this class first, and will have completed this the first quarter of their thesis. CHID 493 and 492 (optional) operate as independent studies and are to be supervised by the thesis advisor. Students completing a 10-credit thesis will work independently with you for CHID 493. Students completing a 15-credit thesis will work independently with you for CHID 493 and CHID 492.
When students begin their independent work with their selected thesis advisor, they will have completed CHID 491. This research seminar focuses on practical approaches to formulating and pursuing intellectual questions. It is designed for students who are starting the process with a clear topic in mind (although, it does not have to be a fully developed topic) and will provide direction on how to implement their idea. This class will offer students a collaborative experience of engaging in discussion with their peers and helping each other work out ideas through the workshop format.
CHID Thesis Format
A senior thesis is a substantial, independent project, supervised by a directing faculty that allows CHID students to engage in rigorous intellectual inquiry and illustrate their individual pathway through the CHID curriculum. The senior project should demonstrate that the student has attained the educational objectives of the major. Students who have planned and finished a large-scale academic project will not only have the ability to finish similar projects in their chosen field of work, but they will also have developed the communication skills necessary for the successful dissemination of their ideas.
Senior thesis projects often take the form of long papers, though other formats are acceptable. The length and complexity of the project will depend on whether one chooses the 10-credit or 15-credit option. It is fulfilled by completing CHID 491: Senior Thesis, CHID 493: Senior Thesis (with the optional CHID 492).
Some students may opt to do artistic or performance-based projects that do not result in long written papers. We encourage creativity, but regardless of the form the thesis takes, students are expected to critically engage their topic. For creative projects, we require that students write a companion paper (a reflective essay at least 5-10 pages in length) in which they describe their process, discuss any inspirations or sources they used, and provide a description of/statement about the work, including the project’s significance.
CHID 491: Senior Thesis (CHID 493 / CHID 492 optional) focuses on practical approaches to formulating and pursuing intellectual questions. It is designed for students who are starting the process with a clear topic in mind (although, it does not have to be a fully developed topic) and will provide direction on how to implement their idea. With this class, students will have a collaborative experience of engaging in discussion with their peers and helping each other work out ideas through the workshop format. As a class, students will finalize their thesis advisors as well as complete the CHID 493 form during the quarter they are taking CHID 491.
Students who are completing a 10-credit thesis will register for the CHID 491 seminar during the first quarter, followed by CHID 493 the next quarter. Students completing a 15-credit thesis, will register for the CHID 491 seminar the first quarter, CHID 493 the second quarter, and CHID 492 the final quarter.
Grading the CHID Thesis
For the first 5 credits of any senior thesis (CHID 491), the entire grade will be determined by the instructor of CHID 491. The grades for 493 and 492 will be determined entirely by the directing faculty after the thesis has been turned in.
Questions?
Feel free to contact CHID’s advisor Cynthia Anderson at chid@uw.edu.