POSC 499 - Capstone

1. Read, analyze, present and critique academic level political science articles showing an understanding of the selected concepts, themes and debates in the field of comparative politics and applying them to current political events
2. Conduct independent academic research in a subfield of political science using appropriate materials (academic publications, government and international organization documents, policy institute studies) and identify a significant research problem based on a major political science concept and then develop an outline, bibliography, thesis statement and research plan with research notes.
3. Find, analyze and use appropriately, political concepts and empirical evidence and integrate them into the paper.  This may include original empirical research.
4. Write a 20-page (5000 words) analytic paper in college-level academic English.  The goal is to submit a well-organized paper with a strong analytical framework with a clearly developed argument that draws conclusions based on evidence presented.
5. Make a 20-minute professional quality presentation and give a 10-minute defense of the research project using appropriate visuals such as Power Point.  The presentation should identify and define the concept and issue, review the literature, present new evidence and make a coherent argument in a strong, authoritative voice.
6. Demonstrate program knowledge and peer review skills through weekly small group research roundtables in which students present findings from an academic sources for the paper and receive suggestions and evaluations by others in the group.
7. Review and evaluate the CSUEB political science program by completing the senior seminar exit survey and participating in a program assessment focus group and a career planning exercise.