A Senior Thesis is required of all religion majors. This thesis is an extensive and supervised research project, forming the capstone of their undergraduate education. The Senior Thesis in Religion is normally a one-semester course, for which one credit is given, involving a written thesis of at least forty pages or approximately 10,000 words. With permission of the instructor, a student may choose to do a two-semester thesis for two credits, entailing a paper of at least eighty pages, or approximately 20,000 words.

The thesis project involves three components:

1. A written thesis, which is an extended argument demonstrating the proposition or point of view proposed by means of documented evidence and resulting in a coherent conclusion;
2. An oral examination on the thesis, which follows completion of the written work; and
3. Colloquia:

a) Two thesis meetings each semester for all seniors, at which students currently working on a thesis will provide a short presentation of progress, and the others present will respond with helpful comments, criticism, and suggestions. This should provide an arena for intensive discussion and collaboration among majors.

- All seniors must attend each scheduled thesis meeting: two each semester, tentatively scheduled from 6:30-7:30 pm with light supper. Participation in these meetings will form part of the evaluation of the "process" component of the thesis grade (see below, at "6. Grade").

- Juniors will attend the two thesis scheduled for the spring semester. If circumstances prevent this, arrangements must be made with the chair of the department.

b) One end of year presentation of the theses done in the Department of Religion, required of all majors and open to the student body. This colloquium will form part of the college-wide program.

The focus of the thesis is a subject of the student’s choice, confirmed by the advisor. Students should select their topics early in order to begin investigation of the subject, and to secure the thesis advisor of their choice.

Each thesis must have at least two readers from the department. The first reader is also the principal thesis advisor, who directs the student in researching and writing the thesis and determines the letter grade assigned for the course. Additional readers from outside the department may also be included. Students should make arrangements regarding readers early in the term to facilitate coordination of schedules.

If a thesis is comparative in structure, readers from all the fields encompassed should be fully involved as the work proceeds. One person, however, should assume the role of principal advisor. We encourage all students, regardless of topic, to be in touch with their second readers over the course of the thesis process and, especially, to submit their rough drafts to their second readers for comments and suggestions.

Students will contact their thesis advisor as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester. Student and professor will then establish a schedule for meeting together to work on the thesis. Thesis meetings are equivalent in importance to class meetings; regular attendance and progress form part of the final grade

Theses are expected to be revised throughout the thesis process. The thesis submitted in final form for the oral exam, however, may not be revised in any way after submission. The number of final copies of the thesis submitted for the oral must include a library copy in a black spring-form binder. The latter should be given to the Chair for deposit in the library. (See Deadlines, above).

Two distinct grades are given for the thesis:

1. A letter-grade for the course, based on the quality of the product (the final paper turned in by the student), and on the quality of the process (cooperation of student with professor, meeting deadlines, general involvement with project). This grade is determined by the thesis advisor.
2. A ranking grade based on both the final written thesis and the oral examination. This grade is determined by consultation between the first and second readers. It conforms to the college grading of General Exams and encompasses the following grades: Distinction, High Pass, Pass, and Fail.

Examiners may not have an oral examination for a student with a non-passing paper.

The oral examination, of 45 to 50 minutes, is given jointly by the first and second readers of the thesis. The student must schedule the oral examination in advance with both readers at a time convenient for all involved. The purpose of the oral examination is two-fold: to determine whether the student can explain clearly the data and interpretations presented in the thesis, and to discover whether the student can go beyond what is written in the thesis. The principal advisor chairs the examination, but both advisors share in asking questions.

The examiners will inform the student immediately after the oral whether he or she passed but will not reveal the specific grade. The Chair will write a formal congratulatory letter, indicating the ranking grade.

To be awarded Honors in Religion, a student must have an A- average in those ten courses fulfilling the major requirements and earn a Distinction on the Senior Thesis and Oral.