CULP Honors Seminar

3-5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This capstone seminar is meant for CULP majors in their senior year, but may also be taken by other students in any major who are pursuing research projects that draw on interpretive and qualitative methods. It is designed to support the research experience of students completing honors theses, certificate capstones, UREPs, or other independent research projects. Any senior with a research project that can benefit from methods such as primary source analysis, case studies, ethnography, or oral history is welcome to enroll. The primary purpose of this weekly seminar is to scaffold independent student research through a supportive workshop community. While assigned readings in the course will be limited in comparison to upper-level electives, you will be required to submit regular writing assignments reflecting your work in progress, and to read and respond to one another's work through discussion and written feedback. The workshop format will enable you to hone your research questions and methods (in coordination with your faculty research mentors), to undertake effective literature review, to develop your intellectual contribution through an iterative writing process, and to effectively communicate your research intervention. The seminar will also provide participants with a much-needed sense of community throughout the challenging and rewarding experience of independent research.