The final project for American Studies may consist of a finished research paper, 30-50 pages in length, which demonstrates the student's ability to locate and analyze primary sources, make use of relevant secondary literature, and construct a compelling and convincing argument. This paper may expand or redirect a paper written previously for a course, but should not be a mere rewrite. Final projects may also consist of a curriculum unit using primary sources prepared for middle school or secondary school students. Proposals for other kinds of final projects must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. Students can expect to revise the final project at least once and often twice to respond to comments from their advisors. The advisor and the second reader should consult with each other to make sure that requests for revisions are consistent. A final project is not considered to be complete until it has finally been approved and graded by the advisors.
To undertake a final project, you need to formulate a proposal outlining what the project will achieve and why that is important, a list of questions which are organizing your research, the methods you will use, those primary sources and the secondary literature you will consult. You need to find a faculty member who is willing to serve as an advisor on such a project. The proposal should be approved and signed by your advisor and submitted to the Graduate Director, whose signature is also required on an accepted proposal.
This proposal is a provisional plan of research. The advisor's signature indicates that s/he will supervise the research, that a significant research question has been articulated, and the appropriate primary and secondary sources to research this question have been identified. The proposal does not have to elaborate a detailed analysis at this stage. Ordinarily, a proposal must be approved by the advisor and submitted to and approved by the graduate program director before the student begins serious research; preferably before the start of an independent study, but no more than one month after beginning an independent study with the advisor. Ordinarily students enrolled in the writing seminar will be expected to have an approved and submitted proposal before signing up for the final project credits.
The program keeps a folder of proposals for final projects in the American Studies office, which students can consult. All theses and final projects completed and approved for the MA degree in American Studies are kept on shelves in the American Studies/Women's Studies Lounge on the fifth floor of Wheatley, across from the program office. You are welcome to browse among these as well. A list of final projects and links to abstracts can be found on the American Studies Roundtable website at: http://www.roundtable.umb.edu/final_projects/index.htm
If students sign up for final project credits (AMST 688) in the fall semester, these will entail three credits of independent work supervised by the primary advisor. If students sign up for the final project credits (AMST 688) in the spring semester, they are invited to participate in a writing seminar designed to help support them in the process of finishing final projects. The faculty for the writing seminar will serve as the second reader for all students enrolled in the seminar, who will continue to work with a primary advisor. In seminar meetings, students will develop skills in analyzing evidence, developing interpretations, and making an argument. Ordinarily, students will have two opportunities to present their research-in-process to the group, distributing a primary source for the class to help analyze, and presenting research-based arguments orally.
To be considered for the American Studies Book Prize awarded at the Graduate Convocation at the end of May each year, a final project must be completed, or practically completed, by April 1. The American Studies Book Prize is awarded to a student based on academic excellence: a high GPA and an outstanding final project.
When an advisor and a second reader agree that a final project is completed, the advisor must consult with the second reader and then submit a grade for the final project to the Graduate Program Director, who will then submit the grade to the Graduate Records Office. Student and advisors must also fill out a Final Project Report, to be submitted to the American Studies Program. The completed final project should be presented to the program, where it will become part of the American Studies Program library, housed in the American Studies/Women's Studies lounge.
Final Project Abstracts will be submitted to the Graduate School for inclusion in a university-wide listing. Final Project abstracts are due by June 30 for June graduations, September 30 for September graduation, and January 30 for December graduation.
The final project report, including the final project abstract, should be turned in to the American Studies Program at the same time the final grade is submitted.
Program faculty are paid on a ten month contract and do not ordinarily hold office hours over the summer. Many use the time for off campus and often out-of-town writing and research. Students trying to complete a final project for the September 1 degree deadline must make advance arrangements with faculty to make sure that faculty will be available to read and comment on final projects over the summer. Students and faculty must work out a mutually agreed on timetable in advance that leaves suitable time for faculty to prepare comments and students to complete revisions in time for faculty to turn in a final grade for work completed.
Students may also wish to undertake the preparation of a MA thesis (for six credits), which is a more substantial project requiring significant research. The rules for submitting an MA thesis are prepared by the Graduate School. The thesis must be formally defended before a committee of three members, two of whom must be UMB faculty members. It must be formatted and bound according to a set of guidelines established by the Office of Graduate Studies. For a June degree, defended, properly formatted and bound MA theses must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by April 15.