Seniors
Senior Year
Welcome to your senior year in Classics!
This year, working under the guidance of a faculty member, you will research and write a senior thesis on a topic of your own choosing. The senior thesis is your chance to embark on a major project of your own: follow your curiosity and passion for the ancient world and its legacy, and devise a research project that captures your interest and imagination.
Writing a thesis is a big undertaking, and you will draw upon all the skills of research, analysis and writing that you have been building over your first three years at Princeton. Start early! You will need to meet several deadlines over the course of the year for your thesis proposal, proposal defense, first chapter, and final copy. Before beginning your work, please consult the Independent Work Guide for full guidelines and advice about the thesis-writing process, including advice about how to choose a topic, how to conduct research in Classics, how to develop a good working relationship with your adviser, and how to go about writing the paper. The IWG also contains information about grading standards and deadlines. The list of deadlines can also be found here.
In your senior year you will also write the Senior Comprehensive Examination. This is an examination designed to test your general knowledge of Classics, based especially on the readings in literature and history that have been central to your coursework in the department. You will be able to choose from a range of identification and essay questions, so you should be able to make the most of your own particular background, course history, and interests. There are separate Comprehensive Exams for students following each of the Department’s three tracks. Please contact Jill Arbeiter for more information and guidance on preparing for the comprehensive exam.
Additional helpful information:
Senior Thesis Standards and Past Thesis Titles
The Comprehensive Exam