Students who are interested in deepening their knowledge of a topic, engaging in extended research, organizing their findings, and making some contribution to knowledge should consider the thesis option. Students who expect to be employed in a position which specifically depends upon their M.A. in Anthropology might also wish to consider the thesis option. For example, those students who plan to become contract archeologists or museum curators might wish to develop an area of expertise as well as their capacities for independent research and writing. An M.A. thesis might provide the student with the opportunity for guided yet independent research and writing. For those who plan to pursue a Ph.D., the M.A. thesis is, perhaps, less important as such independent research will eventually be carried out for the dissertation.
Students are free to research any topic, at any time they wish, in as much depth as they care to.
Students should realize, however, that such activities do not insure that they will be permitted to write a thesis. Only the approval of a thesis proposal, as outlined above, allows the student to enroll in ANTH 599 and to write a thesis in partial completion of their M.A. degree in Anthropology. Thesis committee members must be made aware of and approve these changes. A new research proposal, however, need not be submitted to the department faculty.