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Frequently Asked Questions about Moderation and Senior Projects


Frequently Asked Questions about Moderation

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Projects

Click here to download the Senior Project Guideline PDF

 


Frequently Asked Questions about Moderation

Q: When are moderation papers due?
A: Typically the Friday before Spring Break begins.

Q: How many papers are required and are there a specific length for each?
A: Two papers are required, each about 2-3 pages in length. The first paper should be a critical evaluation of your college work to date. This should include a description of the work that has been most interesting to you and why; an estimate of the strong and relatively weak points in your preparation; and what your original objectives were when you entered college and what they are at present.

The second paper should be your plans for the future. This should include a description of your plans for Upper College work and how these plans are related to your declared objectives; an indication of subjects and special topics which you would like to investigate during the remainder of your college course; any plans you have for January intercession, or Summer; an indication of the work you would like to undertake for a Senior Project; and any information or problem that you wish to bring before the Faculty of your Division.

Q: Who do I give these papers to?
A: One copy of each should be brought to the Office of the Registrar on the specified due date. On the same day, each member of your Moderation Board should also be given one copy of each paper.

Q: What is the purpose of these papers?
A: The Faculty regards these papers as important evidence in determining whether you are qualified to undertake the work of the Upper College. They also serve as a basis for questions that may be raised by the members of your Moderation Board.

Q: What happens if I do not submit any Moderation papers?
A: Failure to submit these papers, or any special papers and materials required by your Division on the due date without the permission of the Executive Committee will leave a student subject to failure of Moderation. Copies of special papers or materials required by your Division are NOT required by the Registrar's Office.

Q: Is there anything else I need to submit for Moderation?
A: One seminar paper, which you and your adviser consider representative of your best work, should be submitted to each member of your Moderation Board with the general papers.

Q: Do all departments have the same requirements?
A: Students should consult with their advisers or departmental chairpersons about special requirements.


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Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Projects

(Please note: much of this information was culled from the Stevenson Library website

Q: First off, what are the requirements for graduation from Bard?
A: Here's a handy list:

  1. A minimum of 124 credits; at least 64 of which must be taken at Bard.
  2. A minimum of 40 credits outside the division of major. First-Year Seminar counts for 8 of the 40 credits.
  3. Every student must pass a Quantitative course.
  4. Every student must take two semesters of First-Year Seminar. Transfer students may be exempt.
  5. Every student must be promoted to the Upper College by passing moderation.
  6. Every student must complete an acceptable senior project.
  7. Distribution requirement: one course from each of the distribution areas and a Q course.

Q: How do I know where to begin finding my references for writing my senior project?
A: As you decide upon your topic, consult the holdings and reference sources of the library's collection. The reference department can direct you to printed and electronic materials in your subject area. Basic reference workshops are also offered to teach students how to use abstracts and indexes, as well as how to access Internet resources.

Q: What if Bard's library does not have all the materials I need?
A: Researching your project should begin as soon as possible. Materials not available at the library are often obtainable through Interlibrary Loan. However, the time it takes to receive material through this system may vary from two to five weeks. If most of your research will involve material not in the Bard collection, you should plan to spend time at another library facility. A letter of introduction should be requested from the Stevenson Library for research purposes at other libraries.

Q: What resources should I use for proper citation and style?
A: Writer's Resources

Q: Where do I find writing manuals and style manuals that would help me?
A: Writer's Resources

Q: Are there any technicalities I need to abide by for my senior project?
A: Yes! On the day senior projects are due, you need to come by the Office of the Dean of the College with the following:

  • Four copies of the senior project (this includes the copy that will be housed in the library. The library's copy should be submitted in a 9x12" manila envelope with your name clearly printed on it. The pages should be loose, do not clip them together or bind them in any way).
  • A copy of the title page of your project.

Q: Is there a particular way I should format my senior project?
A: Yes. The final presentation copy of the project should be arranged as follows:

Blank sheet
Title page*
Dedication
(Preface, if included)
Table of contents
Introduction
Body of text
Footnotes (if these do not appear elsewhere)
Bibliography
Blank Sheet

*Click here for a PDF of a sample title page.

Q: What about margins and page numbers?
A: You should also use 8 1/2 x 11 inches-sized paper, leave a margin of approximately 1 inch on the left, right, top, and bottom of the page; and double-space the body of the text. Be sure to follow the MLA, APA or CMS recommendations for spacing of quotations and footnotes. (See Writer's Resources)

You should number pages consecutively, with Arabic numerals, and the first numbered page should be the first page of the text proper. The title page, dedication, and table of contents should not be numbered. (These preliminary pages or any others may be designated with roman numerals if desired.) Numbers should appear in the upper right hand corner of the pages, or in the middle of the top margin, without periods or hyphens. Don't forget to proofread the final draft!

Q: What if I want to include graphs, maps, and photographs?
A: These should be grouped together in the appendix.

Q: What should my title page look like?
A: Senior Project Guidelines.PDF

Q: How should I bind my project?
A: Three of the copies you bring to the Office of the Dean of the College need to be bound either with a black springboard binder or with another similar binder. For the library copy of your project, simply submit a clean, printed version in a 9x12" manila envelope; they will bind it for you.

Q: I noticed the library keeps copies of all senior projects. Am I responsible for bringing a copy to the library?
A: No, the library will receive its copy from the Dean's office. The library retains this copy of the project and makes an additional copy on microfiche available for use.

Q: I'm in the Arts division. How do I document my senior project when it was an installation or a performance?
A: You should bring a typed page with the following information to the Dean's Office:

Project title
Name of advisor
A brief synopsis (1–2 paragraphs-long) of the project, that is, what you did and what you were hoping to accomplish. If you have a program or invitation, include that as well.


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