Senior Thesis Requirements:

1. Senior Thesis • Requirements: • Write a thesis paper (more information is found below) with a minimum of eight (8) pages of text. The paper should be typed, double spaced, and in a 12-point New Times Roman font. • Include in the paper necessary endnotes and a selected bibliography (Wikipedia and the like are okay, but move beyond them to books & journals). • Include in the paper necessary reproductions that are properly numbered and captioned … and talk about them!!! • The faculty does not care what writing handbook you choose to use (example: MLA Handbook), but for the sake of consistency employ only one. 1

2. Email three (3) short thesis topic statements to your Senior Exit Review Committee by March 6th. The Committee will make the final selection of the thesis topic. SAMPLE STATEMENT: This paper will demonstrate that geometric abstraction says just as much about the features and functions of life as representative (“realistic”) works of art do. I will support this thesis by comparing my work with the ideas and work of Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian, and Hans Hofmann. 2

3. Some helps and exercises: What is a thesis?Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary: A position, proposition, or view that a person advances by reasoned argument (an analysis of your work in the light of “whatever else is out there” that you feel is relevant) and original (i.e., used and put together in a new way) research. History of World Art III, Fall 2007: An educated point of view or conclusion that is the result of analytical thinking and scholarly research. In the visual arts, this involves an individual’s speculation on the relationship that exists between the work of art (creative, commercial, graphic, etc.) on the one hand and the psychological and/or physical world beyond the work of art on the other. 3

4. Introduction: THESIS STATEMENT – This paper will demonstrate that frogs (my art) speak to the presence of and need for diversity* within their species (the human condition). Body: A. The frog before us here has a mixture of colors. (Talking about your own art.) 1. Green body. 2. Red eyes. 3. Orange feet. 1. Shiny body affects the color. 2. Red eyes accented by black pupils. 3. Dabbled underbelly. 4

5. *Northern State University Diversity Statement:Northern State University strives to build an academic community of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are committed to sharing diverse ideas in a mutually respectful environment. We value open discourse and consideration of multiple perspectives on issues of regional, national, and international importance, in which individuals are free to express their points of view. Our goal is a diverse learning community with equal opportunity for all. 5

6. B. The frogs of the world to which this frog is related come in an assortment of forms. (Talking about the art and/or ideas to which your art is related … where the research for your thesis is surely to come in.) 1. There are tiny, delicate tree frogs. 2. There are giant, intimidating bull frogs. 3. There are frogs that aren’t frogs at all—though people call them frogs—but toads that seem lifeless. 6

7. C. The life cycle of the frog further underscores the phenomenon of variety. (Traveling down idea paths that most interest you, but that are still relevant.) 1. Egg. 2. Tadpole. 3. Frog becomes something of terrestrial. Conclusion: Diversity in frogs needs to be understood more fully. Why? Because it speaks to and to a large extent succeeds in guaranteeing something that is import to the frog and all living forms, namely, survival. 7

8. There are visual reasons here for talking about danger, fear, the value of contrast (color; regularity vs. a degree of randomness; singularity vs. multiplicity), growth and development, etc. There are visual reasons here for talking about comfort, appeal, evenness, wholeness, completeness, curiosity, etc. 8