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Writing Issues
To be ready to submit your Capstone Project in final form, you want to allow time: to give the completed project to your Capstone Advisor who will then have time to read it, mark it with changes, return it to you; to institute those changes; and then to repeat the process - often many times, and again with the Honors Reader. It is important that you and your Capstone Advisor and your Honors Reader communicate, and that you live up to your promises to accomplish various steps of your Capstone Project on time. Do not cause delays in the process and then expect your Capstone Advisor or Honors Reader to make up the lost time in reviewing your work.
We strongly recommend a consultation with Henry Jankiewicz, the Honors writing consultant, about your project. He is a terrifically skilled editor and teacher, and can help you not only write a better Capstone Project, but become a better writer.
Honors Reader
By November 15 you and your Capstone Advisor should have agreed on an appropriate person to serve as Honors Reader, and you should have that person's agreement. Please email the name of your Honors Reader to Eric Holzwarth if you have not done so already.
Register for 499
When you register for your final semester, remember to sign up for XXX 499, where XXX refers to your major. This will put three credits on your transcript for your work on your Honors Capstone/Thesis Project. It recognizes the time commitment involved in Capstone work and provides your Capstone/Thesis Advisor with a mechanism for evaluating and grading the work itself.
You don't register for this through MySlice. You pick up a Proposal for Independent Study Course form from the Honors office (we have some of the form filled in for you), fill out the rest in consultation with your advisor, get the necessary signatures, and bring it to Honors for Eric Holzwarth's signature. The form then goes to Steele Hall where the good folks in the Registrar's Office will add XXX 499 (i.e., REL 499, TRF 499, PSC 499) to your schedule for next semester for three credits.
Capstone Project Style, Format and Technical Issues
Consult A Style Manual for the Honors Capstone Project for answers to general questions on style and form. Pay special attention to margins (especially the 2-inch margin on the left) and be sure NOT to bind your thesis.
You should submit a thesis that has NO spelling or grammar errors. Use the spell-check feature of your word processing software, but do not rely on it exclusively. Remember that your thesis will be published in bound form in the Honors library and you want it to represent your very best work.
Remember, also, to make back-up copies of your thesis as you write. The rule of thumb is to back up to a different place: for example, if the master copy is on your hard drive, back up to a CD or "stick drive." We recommend also printing out a hard copy in addition to your electronic back up. Nearly every year, someone loses her/his entire thesis due to hardware failure. Do not let this happen to you.
The Prize for Outstanding Capstone Projects
Capstone Projects submitted to the Honors Program by Capstone Project Turn-in Day will be considered for a Prize. Judging takes place in five categories: creative, sciences and engineering, humanities, social sciences, and professional programs. Winners receive a $500 prize, and an additional award is given for the best Project of the year: the David Orlin Prize for Outstanding Capstone Project, which also carries a $500 prize. In addition, up to five honorable mentions may be awarded. The Prize awards are made possible through the generosity of Mr. David Orlin and Mr. William Sauers, graduates of Syracuse University, and by contributions from Honors graduates. Copies of the award-winning Capstone Projects are sent to sponsors of named awards.
Submitting Your Capstone Project
It’s useful to check the updated information for seniors about Capstone Project completion on the Honors website: http://honors.syr.edu/.
You must provide two printed, unbound copies of the written portion of the Capstone Project in its final form to the Honors Program on Capstone Project Turn-in Day, with a cover sheet signed by your Advisor and Honors Reader (see Capstone Project Style Manual, p. 31) You must also submit any accompanying artifacts (models, works of art, software programs, etc.) on that day.
In addition, you must submit an electronic version, in Microsoft Word, of the complete written text (including the abstract), AND an electronic reproduction, on CD or DVD, of any artifacts, models, works, of art, etc., for review by Prize Committees and for the
Honors Archive.
For still photos: we prefer jpg files
For video: we prefer DVD or CD (no VHS)
For audio only: please submit a CD (MP3 files preferred)
Honors can assist you if you need help; contact Steve Wright .
In those rare occasions in which a Project cannot be physically submitted, you should submit the written portion of the Project and indicate where the Project can be viewed.
Project Presentation Issues
Because an important part of engaging in scholarly or creative work is communicating it to the wider world and discussing it, seniors are required to present their Capstone Projects to faculty, students, and staff of the University on Capstone Presentation Day in early May.
These public presentations have several benefits: (1) students have the opportunity for valuable experience in public speaking; (2) the wider campus community can learn of their accomplishments; and (3) Honors students will be able to see the outcomes of their colleagues’ work.
Your presentation, which may be made in any form appropriate to your discipline, will last 15 minutes, plus 5 minutes for questions and discussion. Additional presentation time -- up to 45 minutes total -- is allotted to creative, performance arts, and other special Projects, as needed.
Celebration!
The Honors Convocation celebrates your earning an Honors degree. It will be held in Hendricks Chapel followed by a reception in the Heroy lobby. You will need to be downstairs in the Nobel Room of the Chapel by 4:30 p.m. in your robe and the Convocation will start at 5 p.m. It will last until approximately 6:30. A reception will follow in the lobby of Heroy Geology Building. All of your friends, family and supporters are welcome at the Convocation and at the reception following. There is room for everyone! Alert your parents now to this important part of Graduation Weekend.
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