Thesis Writing Process

By the end of your second semester: choose periods, questions and topics that you want to explore.  This way you will be able to use your reading exam to start thinking about possible thesis topics. 

By the beginning of your third semester:  identify your thesis director and committee members.

Write your thesis proposal: this proposal (about 10 pages) should outline your central questions, identify primary texts, and suggest an organizational outline.  It should also include a working annotated bibliography.

By the middle of your third semester: meet with your committee to discuss your thesis proposal, work out a schedule of meetings and deadlines, and recruit an committee member outside of the department. Submit your Thesis Committee Form to the MA Director.

In the fourth semester, present to your faculty and fellow students in our WIPS: Works-in-Progress series.

At least three weeks before you wish to defend, submit a copy of your completed thesis to your committee for feedback.

At least one week before you wish to defend, submit your revised thesis to the committee.

Thesis Examination

• Schedule your exam for at least one week before the graduation deadline.
• Your defense will begin with a 15-20 minute public presentation of your work.
• After your presentation, the audience will be invited to ask questions.
• Then your committee will ask the audience to leave; they will continue to question you--mainly about your thesis but you may also be asked to connect the thesis to your other coursework.
• The thesis examination generally takes two hours.