Senior Thesis Assignment Reminders
Remember, for the senior thesis, students must identify an issue that generates discussion. That means people don’t agree. That means there are a variety of views, opinions, perspectives. An issue is probably best thought of as a question.
Remember, students must then conduct research that enables them to establish themselves as informed, reliable, trustworthy guides as they lead their readers through a clear explanation of 1.) The issue, 2.)
The ongoing debate about the issue, 3.) Their response to these opinions, views, perspectives, and finally
4.) Their own opinion, view, perspective on the issue.
Sample Senior Thesis topic ideas
Directions: Read through the following list of sample issues that would work, given the guidelines for the assignment. Of course, you may use any one of these samples for your own research. But, you should also use them as a model, to help you think about other topics and issues in a way that will lead to successful research.
1.
What makes life meaningful? Rationalism, Romanticism, Existentialism
2.
What is the purpose of public education: developing members of a productive economy, training participants in a democracy or fulfilling human potential?
3.
Who is to blame for the obesity epidemic? Parents, fast food industry, marketing industry, eaters?
4.
College athletes—pampered and privileged or exploited?
5.
What is love? Romantic, Platonic, Scientific views
6.
What is right? Virtue ethics, relativism, utilitarianism, deontology, divine command
7.
How can we find truth? Experience, education, rationalism
8.
Why should Israel and Palestine work out their conflicts? Or How can…
9.
Is our military obsolete? Or who can and should serve? Or how can we improve our military?
10.
What’s the surest route to adulthood after high school—college, career, military, living abroad
11.
What is the role of a parent—role model, authority, nurturer, coach, friend, nag
12.
what is the most effective parenting style? Tiger mom, helicopter parent, laisez-faire, democratic
(look in a book for titles)
13.
What is rap music an expression of? Rebellion, creativity,
14.
What is your generation’s zeitgeist?
15.
Technology and privacy…
16.
Is social media making the world more disconnected or interconnected?
17.
What is the value of reconnecting to nature, disconnected from technology?
18.
What is the purpose of dating? Is dating outdated? What does it have to do with love?
19.
Are economic inequities good, bad or simply inevitable?
20.
What are we born with?
21.
What is a hero?