Senior Requirements

Senior Requirements 

Majors satisfy the senior project requirement in one of two ways. They may, with the approval of the DUS, take a one-term seminar as a senior seminar. In such cases, the expectations for the final essay (minimum of thirty-five pages) will be substantially higher than for students not taking the class as a senior seminar. Or, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, a student may undertake a one-term senior project in either the fall or spring semester (THST 491). Depending upon an individual student’s preparation, course work, and research objectives, a senior project may take many forms. A senior may direct, design, or devise a theatrical production, write a play, musical, or thesis-length essay, create a documentary film or digital media production, perform a role, choreograph a dance piece, or design an original performance-based or performance studies research project. Seniors engaging in production-based senior projects must also complete a shorter senior essay (15-25 pages in length), as a requirement of THST 491. 

To ensure that their course work aligns with their goals, students should begin discussing senior project ideas and plans with the DUS at the start of their junior year. Senior Project meetings for all juniors are held early in the spring semester, with research and production proposals due the Friday before spring break.