Thesis Writing Course

This course focuses on research and writing for the thesis. It is open to students in the MALS program who are working on their theses. Students will develop strategies for composing, drafting, and crafting their theses, which are extensive pieces of academic research. They will work on analyzing and synthesizing their materials in order to sharpen their approach to their scholarly topics. They will also work on developing their writing in logically framed and rhetorically convincing graduate-level prose. This course will have students consider issues such as clarity and coherence in their writing, as well as their uses of a range of stylistic conventions. Students will receive feedback from their peers as well as the instructor.Each student will be asked to research and write a substantial portion of their thesis by the end of the semester and some students will use this course as an opportunity to finish the entire project. Students will produce multiple drafts, consider the best organizational approaches for their projects, develop and hone the appropriate tone and voice for the project topic and the perceived audience, participate in peer review (inside and outside of class), develop strategies for building arguments that are supported by the evidence they have collected, and reflect upon their individual research and writing practices.

Offer as needed

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