The History Capstone

The culmination of the History degree is the capstone, which can take several forms. If you’re interested in a Liberal Studies capstone, see below.

 

1. The Thesis Option

This option is considered the traditional capstone for History. Students who choose the thesis option develop their topic, formulate their argument, and build their bibliography in HIST 303. In HIST403 the thesis is actually written. Theses must be at least 30 pages in length and incorporate an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources.

 

2. The Public History Option

The Public History capstone requires that students take HIST 210, Public History, and them complete a faculty-approved project. Examples of such projects can be found on our public history page. In addition to completing the project, which may include digitization, museum work, or archival work, students doing this option write an essay of at least 15 pages about their project linking it to current scholarship in the field.

 

3. The Teaching Option

The teaching capstone is a blend of pedagogical and disciplinary research. Students taking this option typically intend to become elementary or secondary teachers, and they work with faculty to develop an extensive curriculum module. Generally this curriculum is at the secondary or undergraduate level and it takes into consideration state standards, where appropriate. In addition to developing the curriculum, students write an essay of at least 15 pages reflecting on the scholarship related to the field they addressed in the module.