Economics 498 and 499
Economics
Department Policies for the Senior Thesis
Fall 2023-Winter 2024
SENIOR THESIS REQUIREMENTS
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The final copy of your thesis must be turned in to your
thesis adviser no later than 4:30 p.m. on the final day of regular classes
of the second term. Theses
not meeting this deadline will be given grades of F.
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Oral examinations will be held
during the 9th week of the first
term of work and will help determine whether the student receives a
grade of Pass for that term. The timing of the exam will be determined
by the thesis advisor. (For double majors writing three-term theses, the
economics advisor determines whether this exam is held in the first or
second term of work.) For this exam, the student must submit to the
examiner, at least 48 hours before the exam time, written material which
conforms to the instructions given by the thesis advisor. The feedback
from the examiner will be sent to the thesis advisor and will be a
factor in determining the final grade.
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Attendance at writing workshops arranged by the
Department is mandatory.
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In order to pass the first term you must
submit, by the end of the first term, at least 15 written pages
(double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font),
accompanied by a plan for completion of the thesis, or a thesis outline.
This material must include your response to the feedback from your
examiner.
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Final grades depend on both the product you
produce and the process
by which it is produced.
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Requirements
for Honors: Departmental honors require that a student enroll
in and successfully complete the Honors Program. The eligibility
requirements for the honors program in economics are, in additional to
the college-wide requirements, (1) a minimum grade average of 3.3 in
Economics 241, 242, and 243, (2) nomination for honors at the end of the
first term of thesis work by the advisor and first-term oral examiner,
(3) a minimum grade of “A minus” on the senior thesis; and (4) a
presentation in the Steinmetz Symposium in the Spring term. In addition, the
student must satisfy all College requirements for departmental honors.
Senior Thesis Oral
Examination
Instructions for
Students
Please submit the following
material, in hard copy format, to your examiner at least 48 hours before
your oral exam time.
1.
An abstract which conforms to the following guidelines:
a. It should be
not more than 750 words long.
b. It should
include a working title for your thesis.
c.
It should address the following questions:
-What is your thesis question/hypothesis?
-What is the economic importance/relevance of the
thesis question/hypothesis?
-What is the connection
(subject/methodology) between your thesis and the existing literature (please
discuss at least two items—books, journal articles, etc.—of closely
related work, including models/data used, conclusions reached, etc.)?
-What is your expected contribution?
2.
An annotated bibliography:
that is, a list of sources that you have consulted, including with each
source a short summary.
Please
make sure to identify yourself and your thesis advisor on the first page.
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