| The senior project is a capstone experience required
for all Cal Poly students receiving a baccalaureate degree.
It integrates theory and application from across the student's
undergraduate educational experiences. The senior project
consists of one or more of the following: (1) a design
or construction experience, (2) an experiment, (3) a self-guided
study or research project, (4) a presentation, (5) a report
based on internship, co-op, or service learning experience,
(6) a public portfolio display or performance. Where the
senior project does not consist primarily of a written
document, where deemed appropriate by a faculty advisor,
some written documentation will accompany the senior project.
The precise nature or form of a senior project is to be
determined by the faculty advisor. The senior project
is related to the student's field of study, future employment,
and/or scholastic goals. It is carried out under direct
faculty supervision by the following regular faculty:
Arceneaux, Den Otter, Doan, Long, Lutrin, Settle, Shepherd,
or Williams.
There are two ways to satisfy the senior project requirement.
The first is to enroll in POLS 461 and 462 concurrently.
This is an "independent study" mode where
you work independently with a faculty supervisor, providing
that person with timely reports of progress. The second
way is to enroll in POLS 481 (Senior Project Seminar).
This course provides some structure to the senior project,
which some students prefer. In summary, a student must
sign up for either POLS 461 and 462 or POLS 481.
To begin the Senior Project process, first talk with
a member of the Political Science faculty who is likely
to be knowledgeable about topics of interest. For a
list of faculty members' areas of expertise, contact
the Political Science Department office. Also be aware
that each faculty member has different philosophies
on how to develop a senior project. In POLS 481, the
instructor of that class will be your supervisor. Also
set up a tentative schedule for when sections of the
project will be completed.
Consider topics/projects related to prior course research.
The topic has to fall under the umbrella of "politics",
but this can include broad coverage of a big issue,
in depth treatment of a particular one, a political
biography of an important public figure, historical
analysis, or any number of domestic and foreign policy
issues. Literature searches can be done online through
the Cal Poly Library website at http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/.
The senior project is an opportunity to be especially
creative and scholarly. Take it seriously. Begin work
on it as soon as possible and stay in touch with the
faculty supervisor on how work is progressing. You are
not a Cal Poly graduate and you do not receive a diploma
until a senior project is completed.
OUTCOMES
Students are expected to demonstrate one or more of
the following expected learning outcomes.
1. Ability to reduce a topic to specific points of analysis.
2. Ability to organize the points of analysis into a
logical sequence.
3. Ability to apply acquired competencies to the successful
completion of a project.
4. Ability to obtain, evaluate, synthesize, and apply
project-related information.
5. Ability to develop and follow a project plan.
6. Ability to estimate hours of labor and/or cost of
materials necessary to complete a project.
7. Ability to organize, illustrate, and write clear
and concise project documentation.
8. Ability to accept supervision when needed.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The department's requirements are noted below.
1. The total number of senior project units must be
4 quarter units.
2. Normally 30 hours of student work will be required
for each unit of credit granted, thus a senior project
should occupy approximately 120 hours from start to
finish.
3. The number of students participating in a group senior
project should not be so large as to unduly limit individual
experience or responsibility and initiative.
4. The student is responsible for identifying costs
and potential funding sources for senior project prior
to initiation of the project. Costly projects are discouraged.
5. It is the student's responsibility to become informed
about the university's intellectual properties policy
and human subjects policy (where applicable).
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
The faculty of the Department of Political Science has
adopted the following guidelines as the minimum standards
required for the successful completion of a senior project
in this major. These guidelines are only procedural.
1. It is recommended that you use a style manual such
as A Manual for Writers of Term Papers by Kate
L. Turabian for all submitted written material.
2. All senior projects shall represent, in the opinion
of the faculty advisor, the hours required to successfully
complete a minimum of 4-quarter units of work.
3. The proposed subject of the senior project must be
agreed to by the faculty member overseeing the project
prior to beginning.
4. If these criteria are successfully met, and the project
is technically correct, it shall be approved as fulfilling
the department's minimum requirements for graduation.
The grade shall be determined by the advisor's professional
evaluation of the substance of the project.
5. Senior Projects may only be submitted on CD-ROM given
to the faculty advisor.
6. Submission of Senior Project to the Library is optional.
See Library for more information.
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