The nature of a project

Summarizes the thesis. Single spaced, no more than 200 words. Text: This is the main body of the paper. The specific sub-organization will depend on what type of paper is being written. The student should check with the advisor for the appropriate sections. As an example, a research paper would have introduction, method, results, and conclusions. Bibliography: Lists every book, article, thesis or dissertation abstract, etc. mentioned in the thesis with complete publishing information. Non-print sources such as web sites, interviews, videotapes are listed also. Use the bibliographic system from the advisor’s major discipline. Appendix: Includes any supplementary materials that support or are relevant to the thesis but which have no logical or appropriate place within the body of the text. Biographical statement: Summarizes the student’s educational background, academic or other awards, memberships in major societies, and other meaningful aspects of his/her life. Typographical details. Margins to be used are as follows: 1.0 inch at the top, right, and bottom of each page (except the title page) and 1.5 inches on the left side. The standard is 12 characters per inch. Double spacing throughout the text permits approximately 25 lines per page. New paragraphs should be indented five spaces. All pages are numbered. The material before “The Introduction” is numbered in Roman numerals. The title page is page one but is not numbered. The second page starts with “ii” and the third page “iii” and so on. Arabic numerals start with the first page of the introduction. Pages with either Roman or Arabic numerals are numbered in the top right corner, even with the margin. Paper quality. The thesis should be printed on 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch typing paper. One copy of the final thesis should be on 100% rag paper; the other copies may be on xerox quality paper (25% rag bond). The heavy rag bond is required to prevent the pages from yellowing and the print from fading over the years of residence on the library shelves. Bound copies of the thesis. Students are required to provide one copy of the thesis, printed on 100% cotton/rag paper, to be bound and archived at the Z. Smith Reynolds Library. Students are requested to provide an additional copy (on plain printer paper) which will be bound and housed in the Liberal Studies office. The Liberal Studies program will pay for the binding of this copy. Students may wish to have copies made to be bound for themselves, family members, and/or their advisor. The cost of binding these copies as well as the Library copy, is up to the individual student. Electronic Version of Thesis. In addition to the printed version of the thesis, the student must enter his/her thesis in electronic form. Having the thesis in electronic form allows interested parties nationally and internationally to access the thesis. Details about most of these items (thesis formatting, deadlines, thesis binding, Electronic Thesis, graduation, caps & gowns,fees, etc.) will be sent on a regular basis to the student from the Graduate School via email. EXAMPLES OF THESIS TOPICS Anthropology Navajo dry painting as medicine Initiation rites: Sudanese passages from pain to purpose Art Visual interpretation of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (several oil paintings)* A 19th century architectural tour of the Staunton River Valley Economics The relationship between capitalism and democratic freedoms The changing economies of Winston-Salem Education Afro-centric education New teachers: Why do they go? History Women in Sport: The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League The North Carolina stagecoach house: 1805 to present Literature Death to the market (a novel)* Study of Four Modern Jewish-American novels Music The origins of Wagner’s Ring Nine character pieces for piano solo (a musical composition)* Philosophy The critical tradition Gandhian philosophy and the 21st century Psychology The Quality and Quantity of Life Between 1980-2000 in the United States: Ethnic Differences Religion American religious perspectives on the human spirit and nature Freud and religion: An argument against atheism Sociology Hospice volunteers – The changes in their attitudes about life and death Italian and Japanese Immigrants before World War II The changing role of women in Amish society *Indicates a non-traditional thesis