International Commerce and Policy Program
Capstone Project
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ITRN 795.002 |
Dr. A. Lee Fritschler (bio, last page) |
Capstone projects for: Spring 2004
The Capstone project can be a summing up of the program, a way of putting much of what you have learned together in a satisfying final project or thesis. It can also be a way to delve into something of particular interest that has caught your fancy; one which really drives your curiosity or passion. And it can be a launching platform for use in your current job, or a way of developing new expertise that you use to help in making a jump to something new. Capstone projects are an investment in your own human capital and a way to showcase your hard-won knowledge and skills.
Capstone papers can be done for zero, one, two or three credits, depending on your situation. If you have any questions about this, please contact me or the Student Service office.
Much of our coordination and administration can be done electronically, but it is good to meet face to face occasionally. Please contact me to set up a time to meet. If you have any questions, please contact me. E-mail is easiest (see above), but you can also phone me at the telephone number above.
Good luck!
The formal ICP guidelines for the paper are located at http://icp.gmu.edu/academic.d.html . Please look at them carefully. I have a few comments about the requirements which may help you.
"The project should draw on insights gained, skills developed, and knowledge acquired in the program."
This is an important requirement. It is intended to get students to do projects that are part of the teaching and research domain of the ICP program.
"It may be a research paper, a review article, a business plan, an electronic product or any other agreed-upon deliverable. It must be original. It must also be rigorously conducted and professionally produced, and meet high academic and/or business standards."
Capstone projects have a lot of flexibility as to the nature of the final product. Traditional papers are perfectly fine vehicles with which to demonstrate your capacity to integrate and show your stuff.
You are also encouraged to submit non-traditional projects, such as a review
article, a business plan, or anything else of equivalent weight.
(Personally, I'm waiting for a music video....) Given the importance of
the Web, it might be an interesting and useful exercise to delve into web
design. The university has resources that can help with new electronic
forms of communication, for example the WebSTAR
office on the
The main thing is that the substance be solid, and that the quality be high. A new cover sheet on an old term paper is not acceptable.
Whether you do a more traditional or less traditional project, you are expected to use the most appropriate, high quality materials available to support your work. This means significant reliance on the published literature, including established journals and scholarly literature, much of which is accessible through specialized indexes through the University Library (http://library.gmu.edu ).
"Students will select the topic and medium of their project in consultation with the capstone coordinator, Professor Fritschler"
Choose a topic that will stretch your capabilities, but that also is manageable. Please prepare a project proposal in as much detail as you can. An annotated outline, such as that below, would be a good way to help get your thoughts organized.
Project originality and relevance to ICP program, reemphasized
"Students should attest to the project’s originality and manageability, and cite its relationship to specific courses taken in the program."
Project proposals should be something unique, that reflects your interests, ambitions and experience. Work developed for other purposes and that is only marginally related to ICP issues will not be accepted. Also, in developing your proposals, be sure to connect your topic or approach to the ICP program and courses. This is a capstone project, after all.
We urge all ICP students to use the Capstone as an opportunity to network into organizations or agencies that can help provide both information, research assistance, and contacts for employment and the like.
An outside advisor can help immensely, both with the paper, but also as you figure out where you are heading after graduation. If you are aiming to use the paper as a way to jumpstart a new career path, then you should take advantage of their expertise in helping you put together the best paper or project you can. The final product can then serve as an example of your work, ideally tailored to the situation you are shooting for.
"The format of the finished product will depend on the nature of the project itself. For instance, research papers should not exceed forty double-spaced pages (including notes and bibliography). Specific guidelines for each project will be developed in consultation with the faculty capstone coordinator, Professor Fritschler"
The format of a research paper can be in any consistent and
logical system, of which there are many (e.g. Turabian,
MLA, APA). You must choose one style system.
The
A paper must be double-spaced on regular white paper, 1 inch margins, 12 point type. There must be a title page, an abstract or summary, footnotes, and a bibliography.
Papers also must be well written: logic, structure, spelling,
punctuation and syntax are important, and will be considered in the final
evaluation. The
For those who are interested in producing a Web-based project , the main concern is that the level of effort be about equivalent to a 40-page paper. Links to helpful sources to get you started are given here: http://mason.gmu.edu/~tlaporte/webhelp02.html
"The capstone coordinator, Professor Fritschler, will assess the projects on a fail/pass/distinction basis."
This is an opportunity for significant human capital investment. Because this is the most substantial piece of work many students will do in the program, it can be a piece of work that will pull you forward intellectually, and professionally. Doing an excellent job on the capstone will go very far to securing the attention and approval of your mentors and professors here in the program, and will impress employers, investors, graduate admissions committees--maybe even your children one day!
All work, including rough drafts, must be your own. Where the work of others is used, even in paraphrased form, it must appropriately referenced, including (especially!) material taken from on-line sources. When in doubt, cite! Plagiarism is an Honor Code violation: http://www.gmu.edu/facstaff/handbook/aD.html
If you have any questions about proper referencing practice, read the information at: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html , or contact your faculty advisor. See also the Plagiarism Statement and Resources at http://mason.gmu.edu/~tlaporte/plagiarism.html
In order to assure a level playing field for all students, the faculty may require that papers be submitted electronically in order to facilitate source and fact checking.
The following writing practices are strongly encouraged.
a) Write clearly and well. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are important. Take care to structure your arguments carefully. Poor logic and organization will make a paper unacceptable. Avoid using the passive voice. Make your writing lively!
b) Use a variety of sources. This will make your argument much stronger and more believeable. It also signals to others that you know the terrain.
c) Limit use of descriptive work, and emphasize analytic reports and articles. It is easy to simply describe a situation, but this does not produce an impressive result. Taking advantage of analytic materials that put descriptions and data in context is much to be preferred.
d) Limit use of material taken from the Internet. The Net has lots of interesting and pertinent information, but is also notorious for being inaccurate and incomplete. High quality work is nearly always also published in peer-reviewed journal or published by reputable publishers. Avoid falling into the Net trap.
e) Use the Library resources to help you with your research. The scholarly and public literature is the best place to begin your effort. If you need help using the Library, contact one of the friendly librarians. You might also check this link to see some of your options: http://mason.gmu.edu/%7Etlaporte/firstnudge.html
If you would like help with the writing process, please contact the
Examples of Capstone papers
All capstone papers will be posted on the Capstone website, http://mason.gmu.edu/%7Etlaporte/papersS02.html . This is to provide students with a vehicle to communicate with their colleagues, peers and friends. They may help give an idea of what level of effort, and what type of work has been successful in the past.
The schedule below is important, violating it makes it very difficult for you to complete the Capstone during the semester. It also puts you at the back of the line for support. It is a very long line. Professors are happiest when you help them do their job of helping you; at least don't put obstacles in their way.
January 30: Submit introduction and research issues to Professor Fritschler.
February 6: Submit working outline, bibliography, references, list of interviewees, or other research materials to Professor Fritschler. You can revise all of this as your work proceeds. (see next page)
March 12: Submit 10 pages of rough draft version of project to Professor Fritschler (can be revised, of course).
April 2: Submit 20 pages of rough draft version of project to and coordinator, Professor Fritschler.
May 1: Final Paper Due
Proposal outline format
Due February 6, 2004
Project outlines must have all the following elements:
I. Topic, subject, or research question
II. Connection to ICP program
III. Contact information
IV. Format of paper
V. Expected source materials to be used: initial bibliography or sources that you will start from
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A. LEE FRITSCHLER
Dr.
Dr. Fritschler was sworn in as
the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education on
Prior to
joining the Department, Dr. Fritschler was President of Dickinson College in
From 1977 to 1979, Fritschler was dean of the college of
public and international affairs at the American University (AU),
Fritschler is the author of several books and numerous articles and a member of many boards and professional societies. His books include SMOKING AND POLITICS: POLICY MANKING AND THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY, now in its fifth edition. He has been a guest lecturer at numerous schools and executive programs.
Fritschler earned a master's degree in public administration
from
Fritschler and his wife Susan reside in
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