Participants in the Capstone assignment are excused from the last Quiz. As the term implies, this is a “capping” experience for your academic studies. It demonstrates the culminating skills that combine several intellectual abilities, not the least of which prove the capability of leading an independent project.

The goal of the student is to propose a thoughtful, challenging, perhaps even provocative question within the subject of this course, one that holds at least some potential for contributing to the knowledge within this topic.

This involves gathering information from a variety of credible and relevant sources; and requires, at the same time, the ability to understand and implement these resources. This also involves knowing the differences between Primary Sources (the original material on which other research is based), Secondary Sources (the interpretation and evaluation of primary sources), and Tertiary Sources (the insightful summary of both primary and secondary sources).

Obviously, a thesis at this level requires accurate documentation (see the Chicago Manual of Style), a well-written and logical style, and basic, error-free spelling and grammar.

A knowledge of the historical context is taken for granted, yet made evident throughout the paper. The student will also confront contradictory evidence and draw new insights to address the conclusions.

In short, the Capstone Project gives proof to an accomplished student by engaging creative analysis to generate new insights. The paper should be about 10 double-spaced pages.

Click the “Submit Assignment” link above for the next step in uploading your paper. When finished, please email a copy to Dr. Roland Spickermann.