Concentration Requirements
Social Studies 10
Social Studies 98
Thematic Courses
Social Studies 99
Economics
Statistics & Quantitative Reasoning
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Related Courses
Senior Oral Examinations
Courses that Automatically Count in Social Studies
SOCIAL STUDIES 99: TUTORIAL FOR CREDIT – SENIOR YEAR
All Social Studies concentrators are required to write a senior thesis. The thesis should not fall much below 20,000 words nor exceed 30,000 words of text. Theses that exceed 30,000 words run the risk of being penalized by a reader for excessive length. Students are required to turn in a word count with their senior thesis.
Students choose thesis topics that grow out of the focus fields that they have pursued over the previous two to three years. In contrast to senior theses in other concentrations, Social Studies theses are frequently interdisciplinary in their approach and are more explicit and self conscious in presenting theory to elaborate and sustain their arguments. It is important that students choose topics that are focused, well-defined, and lead to a thesis that can be completed within the allotted time.
In writing the senior thesis, a senior works closely with the supervisor that he or she has chosen. The supervisor may be a member of the Harvard faculty, a teaching fellow, or even a faculty member at another local university, but we recommend that when possible, the supervisor be chosen from the Social Studies teaching staff. Students also have the option of participating in a senior thesis writer’s tutorial, in which a group of 8 or 9 students meet bi-monthly to discuss research and writing issues and to exchange drafts.
The senior thesis is evaluated by two independent readers, usually members of the Social Studies teaching staff or Standing Committee.
The Director of Studies, Dr. Anya Bernstein, has primary responsibility for Social Studies 99, the Senior Thesis Tutorial. She is assisted by Dr. Nicole Newendorp, the Assistant Director of Studies for Juniors and Seniors.