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St. Mary's Project Tips From Students
"As a suggestion to future students, I would suggest that they set up ahead of time a very clear timeline with their mentor- the process of how they get their project done. Also- sit down the semester before you start to talk about what your expectations of each other are in terms of meeting, feedback, suggestions for research, help with research etc.
If you are going to write a big paper, the way to do it is turn in a section a week starting at the beginning of the second semester. Each week you turn in one section and get the previous one back with revisions. It's easy and manageable."
- Karen Blackistone
"My advice for students beginning SMPs: start your project over the summer!!!"
- Lauren Dunnock
"A word of advice to future SMPs: focus on what you are interested in, not necessarily on what you've already gathered information for in previous classes or for prior projects. You'll find that meeting the fairly difficult requirements of this project are not only easier, but more rewarding. Also, don't limit yourself to the SMCM library: ILL as many resources as you can."
Also the following online resources might be helpful:
www.unicef-idic.org Just go to the publications site and open one of the numerous "monee reports". Each has a wealth of information (social, economic and political indicators).
Also, www.eurostat.com is great for political figures, electoral results and explanations of the major parties in the region.
- Shaun Owens
St. Mary's Projects
Political Science students are required to complete a capstone experience near the end of their studies in the major. There are two ways of satisfying the capstone experience for the
major in Political Science:
a senior level paper, or
a St. Mary’s Project (SMP).
It is up to each student, in consultation with their advisor, to determine the best path.
Detailed information on each option can be found in the Capstone Experience in Political Science form.
Students who opt to prepare a senior level paper must complete and submit a Senior-Level Paper Declaration form.
2007-2008 St. Mary's Projects
Zach Bankert: “Jackpot: Maryland’s Slot Debate”
Mentor: Michael Cain
Shannon Boyd: “Is China really a ‘Superpower’? Creating a new model”
Mentor: Susan Grogan
Brian Briggs: “The Upsurging of African-Americans and Women During World War II”
Mentor: Chuck Holden
Nicole Cronin: “Trafficking of Women for Sexual Exploitation to Japan: A current Analysis”
Mentor: Thad Oliver
Nikki Debovoise: “A Guide to Peaceful Buddhist Politics”
Mentor: Dustin Howes
Jean Folsom: “Sentencing Reform”
Mentor: Susan Grogan and Alan Dillingham
Alexandra Friscia: “Flip-flopping Justice? An Analysis of Consistency During the Warren Court Years in First Amendment Policy Decisions”
Mentor: Susan Grogan
Christine Grundmann: “Presidential Elections in Germany and the United States: A Comparison”
Mentor: Susan Grogan
Eric Hoffman: “America’s Failing Food Aid System and the Need for Reform”
Mentor: Asif Dowla
Kathleen Kang: "Depictions of Child Brutalization in Invisible Children, City of God, and Blood Diamond: The Effectiveness of Different Film Genres in Raising Social Awareness."
Mentor: Robin Bates
Tyler Keyworth: “Democracy in Africa: The Gambia as a Case Study for African Political Trends”
Mentor: Michael Cain
Courtney Kutchins: “Immigration, the U.S. Health Care System, and Hispanics in America: A Case for Comprehensive, Socially Responsible Reform”
Mentor: Todd Eberly
Elizabeth LeBlanc: “Multilateral Organizations and Northeast Asia: A Proposal For Peace”
Mentor: Charlie Musgrove
Andrew McWilliams: “Stabilization versus Democratization in Fragile, Failed and Collapsed States”
Mentor: Michael Cain
Nezia Munezero: “Faces of Hope”
Mentor: Dustin Howes
John Oliver: “The Longest Summer: Bureaucratic Realities in the American West and the Middle East”
Mentor: Susan Grogan
Julie Pollock: “An Epidemic of Clandestine Abortion and the Struggle to Control Reproduction in Argentina”
Mentor: Adriana Brodsky
Chantal Russell: “Innocence for Sale? Towards an Alternative Discourse of Sex Trafficking in Women”
Mentor: Asif Dowla
Eric Schlein: “DC Disinfranchised”
Mentor: Judge James Kenney III
Quantrise Smoot: “The Constant Struggle: Why Many Inner City Youth Do Not Finish High School”
Mentor: Sybol Cook-Anderson
Kyle Sullivan: “Faith in the Election: A Study of the Role of Religion in Presidential Elections”
Mentor: Susan Grogan
Jeffrey Taylor: “Maryland Voter Turnout: Origins, Trends, and Solutions”
Mentor: Michael Cain
