Thesis

Structure and Length of the Thesis

The required Women, Feminist, and Queer Studies senior essay or project is an opportunity to do independent research on a topic of your choice. Your essay or project should ideally develop out of work done, or ideas sparked, in courses, seminars, or field work. While there are no formal page requirements, most theses are at least 50 pages. The WFQS Program also accepts, with the advisers’ approval, final projects that stretch the scope of a traditional thesis.

Quality of the Thesis

This will be your most substantial piece of academic work at Vassar College. The thesis argument should be thought-provoking and well-considered; the individual chapters should work to build your argument steadily, clearly, and eloquently for the reader; and the conclusion should demonstrate what you have “discovered.” Even if you are working in a less academic genre (such as memoir writing), we would like to see your particular approach thoughtfully explained and applied within the context of that particular field. In other words, regardless of what you are writing, and what has struck you as interesting enough to spend your senior year with, you are now part of a larger academic (or artistic) discourse. As such, we hope to see you give a nod to the literature that guides you (via the footnotes and bibliography), while also situating yourself within that field and, if applicable, its methodology.

Double Majors and the Thesis

Women, Feminist, and Queer Studies majors who are also majoring in another department or program may write either a 1-unit thesis in our program or, with the agreement of advisers in both majors, a double thesis in which the student is registered for 1 unit in each of the two majors. The specific requirements for a double thesis will need to be worked out with the advisers from WFQS and the other department or program.   

If you would like to see previous theses for guidance and inspiration or have any general questions about the thesis, please contact the program.