Department of Humanities and Communication

Humanities Capstone Colloquium

During their final semester at the university, students majoring in the Humanities are required to complete the Capstone Project, in which they develop and execute a plan of scholarly inquiry in the humanities while working closely with their Capstone advisors and the Capstone Colloquium Committee. The Capstone Project is a serious piece of work representing the culmination of the student’s undergraduate work in the humanities and preparing the student for the type of research undertaken at the graduate level. The Capstone projects are presented to the university at the annual Capstone Colloquium.

The Capstone Colloquium Committee

The Capstone Project begins during the semester prior to the student’s final semester at the university, when the student identifies one or two professors who will serve on the student’s Capstone Colloquium Committee. Students consult with their professors about suitable topics for their projects.

The Capstone Proposal

Graduating seniors submit a written proposal for their Capstone Project by the beginning of the fourteenth week of the semester prior to their final semester at the university. Students receive written reviews and suggestions for their proposals from the Capstone Colloquium Committee before the end of the fifteenth week of the same semester. The review serves as the basis of a contract between the student and the department. Copies of the signed review are retained by the student, the student’s faculty advisor, and the Capstone Colloquium Committee Chair.

Proposal Format: The proposal should be 500 – 750 words in length and should include a description of the question or topic of research as well as short bibliography providing a representative selection of primary and secondary sources that will be used in completing the project.

Capstone Project Requirements

Format: 10,000 words, typed and double-spaced. Documentation consistent with MLA, APA or Chicago Manual of Style format.
Due Date: Tuesday of Finals Week
Completed Capstone Projects are eligible for departmental honors consideration.

Capstone Project Resources