SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT
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The senior capstone for the major in International Relations requires an original substantive research project combining the student’s topic and geographic region concentrations. This capstone requirement may be met by completion of an in-depth research project undertaken in the context of an appropriate senior seminar or upper division research course (such as IRP 400, 402, 403, 404, 412, 413) or an Honors thesis (IRP 499). The project should investigate a timely research question, offer an original thesis in answer to this question, explain the methodology used to analyze the question, present persuasive evidence to substantiate the thesis, and provide full documentation to sources in a standard format. The goal of the senior capstone project is to provide students with an opportunity for intellectual and professional development through the creation of original scholarship worthy of consideration for publication in an undergraduate academic journal of international affairs, such as those listed at http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/IR_Publication_Opportunities/. The benchmark length of this research project is 5,000 words, or 6,000 words including documentation. For some courses, such as IRP 402, 403 or 404 offered in our Maxwell-in-Washington International Relations semester, the capstone may be comprised of a series of shorter but related papers which, when compiled together, reach the benchmark indicated. If a 400- or 500-level course offered on main campus (Syracuse) is listed below, the research project assigned for that course MAY be counted as a senior capstone IF AND ONLY IF the semester work for the course allows a substantial original research project or seminar paper that COMBINES your TOPIC and GEOGRAPHIC concentrations. The course itself does NOT need to have both your topic and geographic concentrations reflected explicitly in the title/course description so long as the research project for the course allows this focus. So, for example, if the course TOPIC fits and you can work on your GEOGRAPHIC region for your semester project OR if the course has your GEOGRAPHIC focus and you can work on a project in your TOPIC area, then that MAY count for an IR capstone. HOWEVER, you must first request permission from the course instructor to be sure that this focus is acceptable.
To be sure your capstone choice is appropriate for completion of your major requirement, the project proposal MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in International Relations, and the final paper must be submitted for review by the International Relations curriculum committee. This requirement applies to all undergraduate International Relations majors in the Class of 2013 and beyond.
To schedule an advising appointment, please use our on-line scheduling system, Acuity, at http://iradvising.acuityscheduling.com.