Capstone

Important: There are four workshops and one orientation that are mandatory to attend as part of the Capstone course. 

All workshops will be held in the Undergraduate Writing Center (FAC 211) at 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:
February 3
March 2
April 6
April 27

All European Studies' majors are required to complete EUS 375: Independent Capstone Project. Below you will find some basic information about the course and what is involved as well as steps that need to be taken in order to register. More detailed information may be found in the Capstone Handbook and the Fall 2011 Syllabus.

If after reviewing the website you have further question, please feel free to contact the Center anytime.

Spring 2012 Syllabus

The Basics
Steps to registering for the Capstone:

1. Decide on a topic. Topics may be from any discipline but must be cumulative in nature.
2. Find an advisor. Advisors must be UT faculty affiliated with CES. A complete list is available on the website.
3. Have the Capstone Project Proposal Form approved by the CES' Program Coordinator, Sally Dickson after having it signed by your advisor. After you have completed the application form, including your advisor's signature, make an appointment with Sally to have the form reviewed and approved. Once done, she will contact your advisor to have you cleared to register for EUS 375.

What is the European Studies Capstone?
The European Studies Capstone (EUS 375) is a one semester independent research project that is required for any European Studies undergraduate major at UT. Students undertaking the Capstone are required to complete a 20-25 page paper and present their findings at the end of the semester. Students will be assisted by their Capstone Advisor. EUS 375 may only be taken during the fall and spring semesters.

How is the grading structured for the Capstone?
Your final grade will be calculated based on the following:

50%: Final Paper (graded by your Advisor)
20%: Attendance at Orientation and Mandatory Workshops
15%: Meeting assigned deadlines as outlined in the Capstone Handbook
10%: Final Presentation (graded by your Advisor)
5%:   Submission of completed Faculty Record Form and Paper to CES by deadline

What topics may I cover?
Topics may originate from any discipline - art, history, literature, policy, law, etc. The topic is intended to be interdisciplinary, reflect your overall interests, and be representative of your cumulative undergraduate experience as a European Studies major. Hence, a capstone project that examines a single writer, artist, or thinker must, for example, explore that single writer, artist, or thinker within a broader and distinctly European context. But since the paper is only 20-25 pages, the topic should be narrow enough that research can be covered in the allotted number of pages.

Who is my Capstone Advisor?
Once you have an idea for a topic, you will need to identify an advisor from a list of affiliated CES faculty who has some knowledge of the area you wish to work in. (Lecturers may be considered but you will need approval from CES before contacting a lecturer to be your advisor.) You'll need to take some time and review faculty member's areas of interest, research, and teaching topics in order to find a few you may contact. Once you have some names in mind, contact them to ask if they are willing to be your advisor. You might want to review the Capstone Advisor page to know what is involved in case they have any questions. Feel free to direct them to the page as well or invite them to contact the Center should they have more questions. Do not be discouraged if any of them tell you no. Many faculty members are already advisors to students and are also involved in their own research. You would rather they be honest and up front rather than say yes and then have no time for you all semester!

I have a topic and an advisor. Now what?
Once you have a topic in place and a faculty member who has agreed to be your advisor, you will need to fill out a Capstone Project Proposal Form. The form has to include a short description of your topic (1-2 paragraphs) as well as your advisor's signature.
Once you have completed the form, you will need to contact our Program Coordinator, Sally Dickson, to set an appointment. During your meeting, you will briefly explain your topic and give her the completed Proposal Form. If she agrees that the topic fits the criteria of the Capstone and that the advisor you have chosen is appropriate, she will sign the Proposal Form and have you cleared to register for the course. Please note that no forms will be accepted after 4:00 p.m. on the 12th class day. If you haven't completed everything above by then, you will not be able to register for the Capstone that semester.

I'm approved and registered. Am I ready to begin?
Absolutely! Your first and most important step will be to meet with your advisor. It is best to meet with him/her before the beginning of the semester to set a schedule for the rest of the semester. By default, you must meet with your advisor one hour per week. However, we will accept an amended schedule IF WE RECEIVE THE SCHEDULE IN WRITING FROM YOUR ADVISOR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER.
Your advisor is there to offer you guidance and discuss issues with you such as the scope of your project, its academic suitability, methodologies and resources, and sources of information. Advisors are not expected to tell you what to research, how to research, or what to write about, but they are there to help you.
The Capstone Handbook offers detailed information about the structure of your paper and what constitutes a successful Capstone Project. Be sure to use this guide throughout the semester.

What is the Faculty Record Form?
The Faculty Record Form is a way for you to keep track of every meeting with your advisor. Each time you meet, have your advisor sign and date the form. Turn the form into the Center with a copy of your final paper by the deadline as outlined in the Capstone Handbook. Failure to turn in the completed form will mean a deduction from your final grade.

What are the workshops?
If you are registered for the Capstone course, you must attend the orientation and workshops. The orientation is held at the beginning of the semester and gives an overview of the Capstone and what is expected. The workshops are held throughout the semester and give guidance on research, writing, and presentations. All workshops are mandatory. Failure to attend will be reflected in your final grade.

Who is the Second Reader?
Your Second Reader will be another faculty member at UT who has agreed to read your draft and your final paper. Second Readers primarily to offer you suggestions and notes on your draft in order to help you when writing your final paper. Your Second Reader will also offer his/her insights to your Advisor in order to help with the formulation of your grade. Second Readers are encouraged to attend your final presentation although their presence is not required.
You will find your second reader very much the way you did your Advisor. However, it is not required that Second Readers be affiliated members of CES. They do, however, have to be faculty members at UT. Your best start would be to ask your Advisor for suggestions of faculty you may contact (again, lecturers must be preapproved by CES.) You will need to find your Second Reader and e-mail the name to CES by the deadline. Please also follow the deadline dates for turning in copies of your rough draft and final paper to your Second Reader.

What is the Capstone Presentation?
During finals week at the end of the semester, every student undertaking the Capstone will make a formal presentation to their peers, their Advisor and Second Reader, and others interested in your topic. CES will schedule presentations based on student and faculty finals and make every effort to accommodate everyone's schedule. Students must attend all presentations.
Presentations should last 12-15 minutes followed by a 5 minute Q&A. You may wish to use PowerPoint or other media. No more than 2-3 minutes of video should be used if included in your presentation.

Who should I talk to if I get stuck or have a problem?
You should first speak with your Advisor. If this is an issue that they cannot help with, contact Sally Dickson at CES. Although this is an independent project, we are always here to help and encourage you to talk with us.

For more detailed information, please review the Spring 2012 Capstone Handbook.