What's in a Capstone?
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Depending on how familiar you are with academic traditions, you may or may not have heard of a capstone. At Chatham, the capstone project is a highly individualized senior project that you collaborate on with an advisor and depending on your discipline, a small group. If you’ve heard of a graduate thesis or a dissertation, you can think of the Chatham capstone as a similar, if smaller, end-of-degree pursuit. Historically, Chatham seniors completed a two-semester research project known as a tutorial. Several years ago after much academic consideration, Chatham redesigned the tutorial program to be a one-semester capstone project that aligns with the tenets and outcomes of a student’s chosen degree program. As a result, no two capstone projects are the same. Below, we highlight some of the potential benefits of completing your capstone project and touch base with faculty who know the capstone best.
First, let’s start with an official definition…
Chatham’s University Catalog defines an integrative capstone as such: “This course, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student's major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theatre production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs.”
Can we get an example?
Definitely! As outlined above, the capstone is a highly individualized project and as such, there are a wide berth of examples. Here are a few:
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op. 110 as a Passion Narrative: A Critical Creative Study by Katie Hetz, Music and Creative Writing
Finding success and happiness through self-help and fiction texts: a critical analysis of How to Win Friends and Influence People, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Zera Miller, English and Management
Arrivals and Departures: Aaron Douglas’ Artwork Commandeering the “North” by Chenoa Baker, Cultural Studies
What if I’m a science major?
Good question! To answer, we’re going to turn it over to Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Ethan Block, who instructs his own capstone course: “In the sciences, we usually stick pretty close to the learning objectives from the syllabus, although there can be differences in the types of projects and assignments in a given semester. In general, students have to research the background of their project independently, which helps with information literacy, mastery of biological principles, and critical thinking into the synthesis and application of prior knowledge. If students are performing supervised research, they will additionally learn technical skills. Laboratory research gives the students the opportunity to engage intellectually with real-world problems by designing experiments that advance knowledge towards new and improved solutions.”
So, what does a capstone project look like in real time?
To start, you’ll register to take a 400-level—course 490—integrative capstone course based on your major. If you’re a double or interdisciplinary major, you’ll need to collaborate with your advisor and both academic programs to ensure that your capstone project meets the requirements of both disciplines. In some majors, you develop a capstone proposal during ENG350 or IND350, both of which are preparatory capstone courses that instruct on literary theory and research methodology respectively. Over the course of your 490 semester, you’ll develop your capstone project, which often takes the form of a long-form (10-15 page) research paper, but may manifest in a different way depending on your major. Along the way, you’ll collaborate significantly with your capstone instructor and the peers in your section. Your instructor will provide edits, feedback, guidance, and advice along the way. Typically, the course culminates in a final oral and/or visual presentation of the capstone project.
How does theory play a role?
Scientific and literary theories are crucial touchstones in an undergraduate education. As such, the capstone project asks students to apply theory in practice, be that through the scientific research method or applying theory to a piece of art. According to capstone instructor, Dr. Karen Kingsbury, Professor of Humanities and Asian Studies: “Critical approaches regularly chosen by Humanities students include gender and feminist analysis, queer studies, eco-criticism, trauma theory, disability studies, narrative theory, new historicism, genre studies, and postcolonial theory.”
How does a capstone project translate to my resume?
Completing a capstone is a major achievement that readily translates to your resume and to job prospects. The capstone allows to you hone your writing and editing skills as well as your ability to receive feedback and adjust your work accordingly. If you’re a science major, you’ll gain important lab and research skills that will make you a more marketable scientist. If you’re a business or marketing major, you’ll gain tangible analysis skills that will appeal to potential employers. No matter your discipline, the capstone helps to build a rigorous work-ethic and attention to detail that will serve you in any industry.
Curious about what a capstone could look like for you? We encourage you to touch base with your academic advisor directly.