students thesis

Sample Student Theses

Global education.

• Global Jackson Orlando Charlotte Washington D.C. Atlanta Houston Dallas Memphis --> New York City Global
• Campus Home

Below are downloads (PDF format) of the M.A. (Religion) theses of some of our graduates to date.

Note: Certain requirements for current thesis students have changed since earlier theses were completed.

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
• picture_as_pdf Thesis

Sample Essays

The breadth of Georgetown’s core curriculum means that students are required to write for a wide variety of academic disciplines. Below, we provide some student samples that exhibit the key features the most popular genres. When reading through these essays, we recommend paying attention to their 

1. Structure (How many paragraphs are there? Does the author use headers?) 

2. Argument (Is the author pointing out a problem, and/or proposing a solution?) 

3. Content (Does the argument principally rely on facts, theory, or logic?) and 

4. Style (Does the writer use first person? What is the relationship with the audience?)

Philosophy Paper

• Singer on the Moral Status of Animals

Theology Paper

• Problem of God
• Jewish Civilization
• Sacred Space and Time
• Phenolphthalein in Alkaline Solution

History Paper

• World History

Literature Review

Comparative Analysis 

Policy Brief

• Vaccine Manufacturing

White Paper

Critical Analysis

• Ignatius Seminar

Harvard University Theses, Dissertations, and Prize Papers

The Harvard University Archives ’ collection of theses, dissertations, and prize papers document the wide range of academic research undertaken by Harvard students over the course of the University’s history.

Beyond their value as pieces of original research, these collections document the history of American higher education, chronicling both the growth of Harvard as a major research institution as well as the development of numerous academic fields. They are also an important source of biographical information, offering insight into the academic careers of the authors.

Spanning from the ‘theses and quaestiones’ of the 17th and 18th centuries to the current yearly output of student research, they include both the first Harvard Ph.D. dissertation (by William Byerly, Ph.D . 1873) and the dissertation of the first woman to earn a doctorate from Harvard ( Lorna Myrtle Hodgkinson , Ed.D. 1922).

Other highlights include:

• The collection of Mathematical theses, 1782-1839
• The 1895 Ph.D. dissertation of W.E.B. Du Bois, The suppression of the African slave trade in the United States, 1638-1871
• Ph.D. dissertations of astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (Ph.D. 1925) and physicist John Hasbrouck Van Vleck (Ph.D. 1922)
• Undergraduate honors theses of novelist John Updike (A.B. 1954), filmmaker Terrence Malick (A.B. 1966),  and U.S. poet laureate Tracy Smith (A.B. 1994)
• Undergraduate prize papers and dissertations of philosophers Ralph Waldo Emerson (A.B. 1821), George Santayana (Ph.D. 1889), and W.V. Quine (Ph.D. 1932)
• Undergraduate honors theses of U.S. President John F. Kennedy (A.B. 1940) and Chief Justice John Roberts (A.B. 1976)

What does a prize-winning thesis look like?

If you're a Harvard undergraduate writing your own thesis, it can be helpful to review recent prize-winning theses. The Harvard University Archives has made available for digital lending all of the Thomas Hoopes Prize winners from the 2019-2021 academic years.

Accessing These Materials

How to access materials at the Harvard University Archives

How to find and request dissertations, in person or virtually

How to find and request undergraduate honors theses

How to find and request Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize papers

How to find and request Bowdoin Prize papers

• email: Email
• Phone number 617-495-2461

Related Collections

Harvard faculty personal and professional archives, harvard student life collections: arts, sports, politics and social life, access materials at the harvard university archives.

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

• Mission, Vision, and Inclusive Language Statement
• Locations & Hours
• Undergraduate Employment
• Graduate Employment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Newsletter Archive
• Support WTS
• Schedule an Appointment
• Online Tutoring
• Before your Appointment
• WTS Policies
• Group Tutoring
• Students Referred by Instructors
• Paid External Editing Services
• Writing Guides
• Scholarly Write-in
• Dissertation Writing Groups
• Journal Article Writing Groups
• Early Career Graduate Student Writing Workshop
• Workshops for Graduate Students
• Teaching Resources
• Syllabus Information
• Course-specific Tutoring
• Nominate a Peer Tutor
• Tutoring Feedback
• Schedule Appointment
• Campus Writing Program

Writing Tutorial Services

How to write a thesis statement, what is a thesis statement.

Almost all of us—even if we don’t do it consciously—look early in an essay for a one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. We refer to that condensation as a thesis statement.

Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement?

• to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two
• to better organize and develop your argument
• to provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument

In general, your thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores.

How Can You Write a Good Thesis Statement?

Here are some helpful hints to get you started. You can either scroll down or select a link to a specific topic.

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned

Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. Your first step, then, is to distill the assignment into a specific question. For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two complete sentences answering that question.

Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .”

A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

[ Back to top ]

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned

Even if your assignment doesn’t ask a specific question, your thesis statement still needs to answer a question about the issue you’d like to explore. In this situation, your job is to figure out what question you’d like to write about.

A good thesis statement will usually include the following four attributes:

• take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree
• deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment
• express one main idea
• assert your conclusions about a subject

Let’s see how to generate a thesis statement for a social policy paper.

Brainstorm the topic . Let’s say that your class focuses upon the problems posed by changes in the dietary habits of Americans. You find that you are interested in the amount of sugar Americans consume.

You start out with a thesis statement like this:

Sugar consumption.

This fragment isn’t a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject. Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what you want to say about sugar consumption.

Narrow the topic . Your readings about the topic, however, have led you to the conclusion that elementary school children are consuming far more sugar than is healthy.

You change your thesis to look like this:

Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.

This fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses on one segment of the population: elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, because while most people might agree that children consume more sugar than they used to, not everyone would agree on what should be done or who should do it. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader doesn’t know your conclusions on the topic.

Take a position on the topic. After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that what you really want to say about this topic is that something should be done to reduce the amount of sugar these children consume.

You revise your thesis statement to look like this:

More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

This statement asserts your position, but the terms more attention and food and beverage choices are vague.

Use specific language . You decide to explain what you mean about food and beverage choices , so you write:

Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

This statement is specific, but it isn’t a thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of making an assertion.

Make an assertion based on clearly stated support. You finally revise your thesis statement one more time to look like this:

Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

Notice how the thesis answers the question, “What should be done to reduce sugar consumption by children, and who should do it?” When you started thinking about the paper, you may not have had a specific question in mind, but as you became more involved in the topic, your ideas became more specific. Your thesis changed to reflect your new insights.

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

1. a strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand..

Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. For example, if you are writing a paper for a class on fitness, you might be asked to choose a popular weight-loss product to evaluate. Here are two thesis statements:

There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.

This is a weak thesis statement. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, the phrase negative and positive aspects is vague.

Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand, and because it's specific.

2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.

Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. If your assignment is to write a paper on kinship systems, using your own family as an example, you might come up with either of these two thesis statements:

My family is an extended family.

This is a weak thesis because it merely states an observation. Your reader won’t be able to tell the point of the statement, and will probably stop reading.

While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.

3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.

Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. For example:

Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

This is a weak thesis statement because the reader can’t decide whether the paper is about marketing on the Internet or Web pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship between the two ideas needs to become more clear. One way to revise the thesis would be to write:

Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because , since , so , although , unless , and however .

4. A strong thesis statement is specific.

A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say:

World hunger has many causes and effects.

This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons. First, world hunger can’t be discussed thoroughly in seven to ten pages. Second, many causes and effects is vague. You should be able to identify specific causes and effects. A revised thesis might look like this:

Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

This is a strong thesis statement because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic, and it also identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger.

Produced by Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Writing Tutorial Services social media channels

Find Student theses

Filters for student theses.

• 1 - 50 out of 6,812 results
• Award date (ascending)

Search results

Essays on panel data prediction models.

Supervisor: Fosten, J. (Supervisor) & Weale, M. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

Picture this: an investigation of the neural and behavioural correlates of mental imagery in childhood and adulthood with implications for children with ADHD

Supervisor: Farran, E. (External person) (Supervisor) & Smith, M. (External person) (Supervisor)

Aggression and Unity: Impacts of the First World War on German Protestant Missions in Hong Kong

Supervisor: Stockwell, S. (Supervisor)

The Nationalisation of the People. Nationalist Articulations in Western European Right-Wing Populist Parties: A Comparative Analysis

Supervisor: Calvo Mendizabal, N. (Supervisor) & Foster, R. D. (Supervisor)

Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Novel Clinical Pathway for People with Co-occurring Eating Disorders and Autism

Supervisor: Tchanturia, K. (Supervisor) & Byford, S. (Supervisor)

Design and synthesis of novel pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) for use as payloads for antibody-drug conjugates

Supervisor: Rahman, K. M. (Supervisor) & Al-Jamal, K. (Supervisor)

Aggression in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder: the effect of mutations in Nrxn1α and Nlgn3 genes

Supervisor: Blackwood, N. J. (Supervisor), McAlonan, G. M. (Supervisor) & Petrinovic, M. (Supervisor)

Enhancing Structural Refinement of Macromolecules obtained from Neutron Crystallography

Supervisor: Steiner, R. (Supervisor) & Murshudov, G. N. (External person) (Supervisor)

Shifting Tides of Power: The Evolution of China's Naval Strategy in the South China Sea from Defensive Offence to Defensive Defence, 1974–2018

Supervisor: Patalano, A. (Supervisor) & Brown, K. (Supervisor)

The Russian Way of Regular Land Warfare: A Comparative Case Study of Four Major Russian Operations after the Cold War

Supervisor: German, T. C. (Supervisor)

Examining the role of structural dynamics in the assembly and function of the multidrug efflux pump AcrAB-TolC

Supervisor: Reading, E. (Supervisor) & Booth, P. J. (Supervisor)

Pluripotent Stem Cells and Dynamic Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering

Supervisor: Grigoriadis, A. E. (Supervisor), Liu, K. J. (Supervisor) & Mendes Pereira da Silva, M. R. (Supervisor)

A lifespan perspective on brain-behavioural heterogeneity following very preterm birth

Supervisor: Batalle Bolano, D. D. (Supervisor) & Nosarti, C. (Supervisor)

Identifying Candidate Biomarkers of Clinical Response to Ustekinumab in Psoriasis

Supervisor: Barker, J. N. W. N. (Supervisor) & Di Meglio, P. (Supervisor)

Creating outside the lines? Idea work targeting innovation outside formalized corporate structures: experimentation, networking and feedback

Supervisor: Gutierrez Huerter O, G. (Supervisor) & Miozzo, M. M. (Supervisor)

Divergent roles of type I and III Interferons in Shigella and Salmonella Infection

Supervisor: Odendall, C. M. (Supervisor) & academic, A. (Supervisor)

THE CONCEPT OF עיר AND המקדש עיר IN THE TEMPLE SCROLL: A SPATIAL EXAMINATION OF COLUMNS 45-47

Supervisor: Joyce, P. M. (Supervisor) & Taylor, J. E. (Supervisor)

Modelling the Mechanisms of Ice Crystal Growth at the Molecular Scale

Supervisor: Molteni, C. (Supervisor) & academic, A. (Supervisor)

Development of glycosyltransferase inhibitors for the glycoengineering of therapeutic antibodies

Supervisor: Karagiannis, S. (Supervisor) & Wagner, G. K. (Supervisor)

Immune responses to lipids in the skin

Supervisor: Barral Catoira, P. (Supervisor) & Hawrylowicz, C. M. (Supervisor)

Object Constraint Language Based Test Case Optimisation

Supervisor: Lano, K. C. (Supervisor) & Chockler, H. (Supervisor)

Network Optimisation for Robotic Aerial Base Stations

Supervisor: Friderikos, V. (Supervisor) & Deng, Y. (Supervisor)

Anticholinergics, Antipsychotics and Associated Risks in Dementia Seeking to improve the Safety of Prescribing

Supervisor: Stewart, R. J. (Supervisor) & Taylor, D. M. (Supervisor)

Transcultural Tales, Political Agendas? The Contribution of Karoline von Woltmann, Carmen Sylva, and Laura Gonzenbach to the German-Language Fairy Tale Tradition of the Nineteenth Century

Supervisor: Schofield, B. (Supervisor) & Smale, C. (Supervisor)

THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY NOTIONS AND THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE OF 1921-1922: REVISITING BRITISH PERSPECTIVES ON THE NAVAL DEBATES

Supervisor: Kennedy, G. C. (Supervisor) & Benbow, T. J. (Supervisor)

Socioeconomic factors and common mental health disorders: The role of gene-environment interplay

Supervisor: McAdams, T. (Supervisor) & Zavos, H. (Supervisor)

Pushing the Boundaries of Deep Reinforcement Learning by Challenging its Fundamentals

Supervisor: Celiktutan Dikici, O. (Supervisor) & Dai, J. (Supervisor)

Flourish an Innovation Tomorrowland: The Local Developmental State Model and China’s High-Tech Park

Supervisor: Sun, X. (Supervisor) & Klingler-Vidra, R. (Supervisor)

Resilience and Adaptive Capacity in Hospital Teams

Supervisor: Anderson, J. (Supervisor), Rafferty, A. M. (Supervisor) & Reedy, G. (Supervisor)

Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Risk Stratification for Implanted Defibrillators in Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy Patients

Supervisor: Bishop, M. (Supervisor) & Lamata de la Orden, P. (Supervisor)

Synthesis of Model Transformations from Metamodels and Examples

Supervisor: Lano, K. (Supervisor) & Zschaler, S. (Supervisor)

Cancer cell tracking for evaluation of siRNA-mediated EGFR and PD-L1 inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer.

Supervisor: Lam, J. (External person) (Supervisor) & Fruhwirth, G. (Supervisor)

Translational Studies in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): From Clinical Phenotypes to Immunopsychiatry

Supervisor: Pariante, C. (Supervisor), Cattaneo, A. (Supervisor) & Mondelli, V. (Supervisor)

Multiomics integration for biomarker discovery in a preclinical model of colorectal cancer

Supervisor: academic, A. (Supervisor) & Pereira das Neves, J. F. (Supervisor)

Psychosis and Apathy in Parkinson’s disease

Supervisor: Ray Chaudhuri, K. (Supervisor) & Tan, E. K. (External person) (Supervisor)

Type 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC3s) modulate intestinal epithelial and immune cells' functions through TGF-β1

Supervisor: Roberts, L. (Supervisor), Neves, J. (Supervisor) & Irving, P. (External person) (Supervisor)

Contributing to smoke-free: How can the provision and uptake of smoking cessation support be improved, including for those with mental health conditions?

Supervisor: Brose, L. S. (Supervisor) & McNeill, A. D. (Supervisor)

Neural circuitry of acoustic startle habituation and prepulse inhibition in the context of sex steroid hormones using innovative silent functional MRI and electromyography techniques

Supervisor: Williams, S. (Supervisor) & Kumari, V. (Supervisor)

Mental Wellbeing in Prostate Cancer Treatment and Survivorship: Outcome Definition, Prognostic Factors, and Prognostic Model Development

Supervisor: Ahmed, K. (Supervisor), Dasgupta, P. (Supervisor) & Stewart, R. J. (Supervisor)

Detection of Swallowing Events to Quantify Fluid Intake in Older Adults Based on Wearable Sensors

Supervisor: Kamavuako, E. (Supervisor) & Harris, R. (Supervisor)

Assessment of Healthy Tissue Metabolism to Predict Outcomes in Oncologic [18F]FDG PET/CT

Supervisor: Fischer, M. (Supervisor) & Barrington, S. (Supervisor)

German defence procurement policy formulation between 2010 and 2020: Studying military innovation’s emergence & effectiveness

Supervisor: Dorman, A. M. (Supervisor) & Nemeth, B. (Supervisor)

Green megawatts for Germany: Geographical experiments in electrification and the political ecology of thermodynamics

Supervisor: Akhter, M. S. (Supervisor), Loftus, A. J. (Supervisor) & academic, A. (Supervisor)

The role of Neurexin1-alpha in synaptic function and cortical excitation-inhibition balance

Supervisor: Andreae, L. (Supervisor) & Cooke, S. (Supervisor)

Characterisation and modulation of mutant ARPP21 aggregation in ALS

Supervisor: Lieberam, I. (Supervisor), Cocks, G. (Supervisor) & Shaw, C. (Supervisor)

The Temporal Dynamics in Infant Emotion Responses from Age 6 to 12 Months across Laboratory Contexts: Developmental and Situational Influences, and Associations with Parent-Rated Temperament

Supervisor: Sonuga-Barke, E. (Supervisor), Wass, S. V. (External person) (Supervisor), Kostyrka-Allchorne, K. (Supervisor) & Nosarti, C. (Supervisor)

Primordial black hole formation processes with full numerical relativity

Supervisor: Lim, E. (Supervisor)

ADHD, delay aversion and waiting behaviour in preschool children: Family and cultural processes

Supervisor: Sonuga-Barke, E. (Supervisor) & Shum, K. K. M. (External person) (Supervisor)

Development of Novel Radiohalogen Based Multifunctional Bioconjugation Reagents for Cancer Imaging

Supervisor: Yan, R. (Supervisor) & Maher, J. (Supervisor)

The Concept and Determinants of Return on Investment from Quality Improvement in Mental Health Organizations

Supervisor: Henderson, R. C. (Supervisor) & Chua, K. (Supervisor)

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Developing Strong Thesis Statements

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The thesis statement or main claim must be debatable

An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade people.

Example of a non-debatable thesis statement:

This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem. No one could reasonably argue that pollution is unambiguously good.

Example of a debatable thesis statement:

This is an example of a debatable thesis because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that this is how we should spend the nation's money. Others might feel that we should be spending more money on education. Still others could argue that corporations, not the government, should be paying to limit pollution.

Another example of a debatable thesis statement:

In this example there is also room for disagreement between rational individuals. Some citizens might think focusing on recycling programs rather than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.

The thesis needs to be narrow

Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right.

Example of a thesis that is too broad:

There are several reasons this statement is too broad to argue. First, what is included in the category "drugs"? Is the author talking about illegal drug use, recreational drug use (which might include alcohol and cigarettes), or all uses of medication in general? Second, in what ways are drugs detrimental? Is drug use causing deaths (and is the author equating deaths from overdoses and deaths from drug related violence)? Is drug use changing the moral climate or causing the economy to decline? Finally, what does the author mean by "society"? Is the author referring only to America or to the global population? Does the author make any distinction between the effects on children and adults? There are just too many questions that the claim leaves open. The author could not cover all of the topics listed above, yet the generality of the claim leaves all of these possibilities open to debate.

Example of a narrow or focused thesis:

In this example the topic of drugs has been narrowed down to illegal drugs and the detriment has been narrowed down to gang violence. This is a much more manageable topic.

We could narrow each debatable thesis from the previous examples in the following way:

Narrowed debatable thesis 1:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just the amount of money used but also how the money could actually help to control pollution.

Narrowed debatable thesis 2:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just what the focus of a national anti-pollution campaign should be but also why this is the appropriate focus.

Qualifiers such as " typically ," " generally ," " usually ," or " on average " also help to limit the scope of your claim by allowing for the almost inevitable exception to the rule.

Types of claims

Claims typically fall into one of four categories. Thinking about how you want to approach your topic, or, in other words, what type of claim you want to make, is one way to focus your thesis on one particular aspect of your broader topic.

Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example:

Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example:

Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example:

Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example:

Which type of claim is right for your argument? Which type of thesis or claim you use for your argument will depend on your position and knowledge of the topic, your audience, and the context of your paper. You might want to think about where you imagine your audience to be on this topic and pinpoint where you think the biggest difference in viewpoints might be. Even if you start with one type of claim you probably will be using several within the paper. Regardless of the type of claim you choose to utilize it is key to identify the controversy or debate you are addressing and to define your position early on in the paper.

• Help & Terms of Use

Find Student theses

Filters for student theses.

• 1 - 50 out of 4,522 results
• Title (descending)

Search results

(net)working out poverty and social exclusion in rural ireland and russia.

Supervisor: Cloke, P. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

(Re)Defining Sustainability: Belo Monte, São Luiz do Tapajós and Storylines of Resistance

Supervisor: Flint, A. (Supervisor) & Tucker, K. (Supervisor)

(Re)shaping Genre: The Commercial and Social Presentation of Speculative Fiction in the 21st Century

Supervisor: Krishnan, M. (Supervisor) & Tether, L. (Supervisor)

(Un)healthy prison masculinities : theorising men's health in prison

Supervisor: Payne, S. (Supervisor) & Doyal, L. (Supervisor)

[2+2]-Photocycloaddition Reactions in the Synthesis of Novel Scaffolds and Natural Products

Supervisor: Willis, C. (Supervisor) & Booker-Milburn, K. I. (Supervisor)

#On the edge' : students into teachers; a qualitative study of primary post graduate students focusing upon their transition from students into teachers.

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Education (EdD)

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. A. C. (Supervisor) & Thebault, K. P. Y. (Supervisor)

3D Bioprinted Engineered Living Materials for Continuous Organophosphorus Compound Detoxification

Supervisor: Perriman, A. W. (Supervisor) & Ting, V. (Supervisor)

3D FE-informed laboratory soil testing for the design of offshore wind turbine monopiles

Supervisor: Ibraim, E. (Supervisor) & Diambra, A. (Supervisor)

3D-printable conjugated microporous polymer electrodes for carbon capture and conversion

Supervisor: Patil, A. (Supervisor) & Faul, C. F. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Master's Thesis › Master of Science by Research (MScR)

3D-printed flexible energy storage for soft robotics

Supervisor: Faul, C. F. (Supervisor) & Rossiter, J. (Supervisor)

3D Printing Enzyme Mediated Interpenetrating-Network Biohybrid Materials with Shape Changing Properties

Supervisor: Perriman, A. W. (Supervisor) & Anderson, J. L. R. (Supervisor)

3D printing shape-changing double-network hydrogels

Supervisor: Seddon, A. M. (Supervisor) & Eichhorn, S. (Supervisor)

5G Communication Framework for Smarter Autonomous Vehicles

Supervisor: Piechocki, R. (Supervisor) & Nix, A. (Supervisor)

5G Neutral Hosting

Supervisor: Simeonidou, D. (Supervisor) & Nejabati, R. (Supervisor)

A Baculoviral ‘Swag Bag’ Protein and DNA Delivery Toolkit for CRISPR-based Editing of Human Genomes

Supervisor: Berger, I. (Supervisor) & Dillingham, M. (Supervisor)

Ab initio methods for atmospheric photochemistry

Supervisor: Glowacki, D. (Supervisor) & Orr-Ewing, A. (Supervisor)

Ab initio Study of Spin-Dependent Transport and Magnetism in Heavy and Superconducting Metals

Supervisor: Gradhand, M. (Supervisor)

A biologically-inspired artificial lateral line: Observations of collective behaviour in fish lead to the development of a novel design of simple and low-cost artificial lateral line sensor

Supervisor: Hauert, S. (Supervisor), Ioannou, C. (Supervisor) & Genner, M. J. (Supervisor)

A biophysical investigation into the self-assembly of α-helix - polyproline II helix oligomers

Supervisor: Race, P. R. (Supervisor) & Woolfson, D. N. (Supervisor)

'A Box of Conflict Memories' - Materiality, Memory and Princess Mary's Gift Box 1914-2020.

Supervisor: Saunders, N. J. (Supervisor) & Were, G. (Supervisor)

A British Pleistocene chronology based on uranium series and electron spin resonance dating of speleothem.

Abstractions for portable data management in heterogeneous memory systems.

Supervisor: McIntosh-Smith, S. (Supervisor)

A case study on learners' 'skills o discovery and interaction' in instant messenger-mediated intercultural dialogue between university students in Taiwan and in UK

Accelerated sampling methods for high dimensional molecular systems.

Supervisor: Glowacki, D. (Supervisor) & McIntosh-Smith, S. (Supervisor)

Access and equity in the school’s marketplace: the case for random allocation in secondary school admissions

Supervisor: Watson, D. L. (Supervisor) & Harris, P. R. (External person) (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci)

Access to collective labour rights for platform workers under European Union Law: an analysis based on the republican idea of freedom as non-domination

Supervisor: Novitz, T. A. (Supervisor) & Syrpis, P. A. J. (Supervisor)

Accountability and multilateral global governance : exploring the discourse of transparency and the role of secrecy.

Accounting for sustainability with a focus on materiality and completeness.

Supervisor: Cooper, S. (Supervisor) & Chapman, C. S. (Supervisor)

Acetylcholine in the Interpositus Cerebellar Nuclei

Supervisor: Apps, R. (Supervisor), Bashir, Z. (Supervisor) & Pickford, J. (Supervisor)

A changing world: how anthropogenic noise and climate impact dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) behaviour

Supervisor: Radford, A. (Supervisor) & Cuthill, I. C. (Supervisor)

A characterisation of mononuclear phagocyte dynamics in the healthy and regenerating zebrafish heart

Supervisor: Richardson, B. (Supervisor) & Martin, P. B. (Supervisor)

A Chemical Synthesis Paradigm for in utero Repair of Spina Bifida

Supervisor: Galan, C. (Supervisor), Briscoe, W. (Supervisor) & Cosgrove, T. (Supervisor)

Achievement of Nepalese pupils in Hong Kong primary schools : barriers and education needs

Supervisor: Hill, T. (Supervisor) & Tikly, L. (Supervisor)

A Child of Two Worlds: Materiality and Landscape of Mushroom-Shaped Bunkers in Albania

Supervisor: Saunders, N. (Supervisor)

A clash of clades: the evolution and ecology of terrestrial amniotes through the Permo-Triassic.

Supervisor: Benton, M. J. (Supervisor) & Rayfield, E. J. (Supervisor)

A Closed-Loop Recycling Process for Discontinuous Carbon Fibre Composites

Supervisor: Longana, M. (Supervisor), Yu, H. (Supervisor), Potter, K. (Supervisor) & Hamerton, I. (Supervisor)

A comparative study of the gastropod populations in two North Somerset reservoirs, England

A comparison between methadone and buprenorphine for perioperative analgesia in dogs and cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Supervisor: Murrell, J. (Supervisor), Hunt, J. (Supervisor) & Yates, D. (Supervisor)

A Comparison of Eulemur Social Systems and Vocal Communication During the Mating Season: Implications for the Speciation and Conservation of Blue-Eyed Black Lemurs and Black Lemurs

Supervisor: Mccabe, G. (Supervisor) & Holderied, M. (Supervisor)

A comprehensive screening of the two-component network in Staphylococcus aureus

Supervisor: Massey, R. (Supervisor)

A Computational Framework for the Optimisation of Antivenom Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Supervisor: Hauert, S. (Supervisor), Blee, J. A. (Supervisor) & Collinson, I. R. (Supervisor)

A consideration of geometry in very-low Earth orbit satellites

Supervisor: Berthoud, L. (Supervisor) & Allen, C. B. (Supervisor)

A constraint-based partial evaluator for functional logic programs and its application.

A conversation analytic study of co-working between a person with learning disabilities and a person without learning disabilities.

Supervisor: Dowling, S. F. (Supervisor) & Williams, V. J. (Supervisor)

Acoustic and Flight Behaviour of Emerging Greater Horseshoe Bats in Paired Flight

Supervisor: Holderied, M. W. (Supervisor)

Acoustic communication of rare and threatened crocodilians and its use for population monitoring

Supervisor: Holderied, M. W. (Supervisor) & Mccabe, G. (Supervisor)

Acoustic Flow Perception in Bats and Applications in Navigation

Supervisor: Windsor, S. P. (Supervisor) & Holderied, M. W. (Supervisor)

Acquisition of Implicit Knowledge of Second Language Syntax: The Effects of Input Modality and Working Memory

Supervisor: Yu, G. (Supervisor) & Kazanina, N. (Supervisor)

A critical analysis of John Hick's pluralistic hypothesis in the light of the Buddha's attitude towards othe teachings as demonstrated in the Pali Nikayas.

25 Thesis Statement Examples

A thesis statement is needed in an essay or dissertation . There are multiple types of thesis statements – but generally we can divide them into expository and argumentative. An expository statement is a statement of fact (common in expository essays and process essays) while an argumentative statement is a statement of opinion (common in argumentative essays and dissertations). Below are examples of each.

Strong Thesis Statement Examples

1. School Uniforms

“Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate

Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons

2. Nature vs Nurture

“This essay will explore how both genetic inheritance and environmental factors equally contribute to shaping human behavior and personality.”

Best For: Compare and Contrast Essay

Read More: Nature vs Nurture Debate

3. American Dream

“The American Dream, a symbol of opportunity and success, is increasingly elusive in today’s socio-economic landscape, revealing deeper inequalities in society.”

Best For: Persuasive Essay

Read More: What is the American Dream?

4. Social Media

“Social media has revolutionized communication and societal interactions, but it also presents significant challenges related to privacy, mental health, and misinformation.”

Best For: Expository Essay

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Social Media

5. Globalization

“Globalization has created a world more interconnected than ever before, yet it also amplifies economic disparities and cultural homogenization.”

Read More: Globalization Pros and Cons

6. Urbanization

“Urbanization drives economic growth and social development, but it also poses unique challenges in sustainability and quality of life.”

Read More: Learn about Urbanization

7. Immigration

“Immigration enriches receiving countries culturally and economically, outweighing any perceived social or economic burdens.”

Read More: Immigration Pros and Cons

8. Cultural Identity

“In a globalized world, maintaining distinct cultural identities is crucial for preserving cultural diversity and fostering global understanding, despite the challenges of assimilation and homogenization.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay

Read More: Learn about Cultural Identity

9. Technology

“Medical technologies in care institutions in Toronto has increased subjcetive outcomes for patients with chronic pain.”

Best For: Research Paper

10. Capitalism vs Socialism

“The debate between capitalism and socialism centers on balancing economic freedom and inequality, each presenting distinct approaches to resource distribution and social welfare.”

11. Cultural Heritage

“The preservation of cultural heritage is essential, not only for cultural identity but also for educating future generations, outweighing the arguments for modernization and commercialization.”

12. Pseudoscience

“Pseudoscience, characterized by a lack of empirical support, continues to influence public perception and decision-making, often at the expense of scientific credibility.”

Read More: Examples of Pseudoscience

13. Free Will

“The concept of free will is largely an illusion, with human behavior and decisions predominantly determined by biological and environmental factors.”

Read More: Do we have Free Will?

14. Gender Roles

“Traditional gender roles are outdated and harmful, restricting individual freedoms and perpetuating gender inequalities in modern society.”

Read More: What are Traditional Gender Roles?

15. Work-Life Ballance

“The trend to online and distance work in the 2020s led to improved subjective feelings of work-life balance but simultaneously increased self-reported loneliness.”

Read More: Work-Life Balance Examples

16. Universal Healthcare

“Universal healthcare is a fundamental human right and the most effective system for ensuring health equity and societal well-being, outweighing concerns about government involvement and costs.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Universal Healthcare

17. Minimum Wage

“The implementation of a fair minimum wage is vital for reducing economic inequality, yet it is often contentious due to its potential impact on businesses and employment rates.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage

18. Homework

“The homework provided throughout this semester has enabled me to achieve greater self-reflection, identify gaps in my knowledge, and reinforce those gaps through spaced repetition.”

Best For: Reflective Essay

Read More: Reasons Homework Should be Banned

19. Charter Schools

“Charter schools offer alternatives to traditional public education, promising innovation and choice but also raising questions about accountability and educational equity.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Charter Schools

20. Effects of the Internet

“The Internet has drastically reshaped human communication, access to information, and societal dynamics, generally with a net positive effect on society.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of the Internet

21. Affirmative Action

“Affirmative action is essential for rectifying historical injustices and achieving true meritocracy in education and employment, contrary to claims of reverse discrimination.”

Best For: Essay

Read More: Affirmative Action Pros and Cons

22. Soft Skills

“Soft skills, such as communication and empathy, are increasingly recognized as essential for success in the modern workforce, and therefore should be a strong focus at school and university level.”

Read More: Soft Skills Examples

23. Moral Panic

“Moral panic, often fueled by media and cultural anxieties, can lead to exaggerated societal responses that sometimes overlook rational analysis and evidence.”

Read More: Moral Panic Examples

24. Freedom of the Press

“Freedom of the press is critical for democracy and informed citizenship, yet it faces challenges from censorship, media bias, and the proliferation of misinformation.”

Read More: Freedom of the Press Examples

25. Mass Media

“Mass media shapes public opinion and cultural norms, but its concentration of ownership and commercial interests raise concerns about bias and the quality of information.”

Best For: Critical Analysis

Read More: Mass Media Examples

Checklist: How to use your Thesis Statement

✅ Position: If your statement is for an argumentative or persuasive essay, or a dissertation, ensure it takes a clear stance on the topic. ✅ Specificity: It addresses a specific aspect of the topic, providing focus for the essay. ✅ Conciseness: Typically, a thesis statement is one to two sentences long. It should be concise, clear, and easily identifiable. ✅ Direction: The thesis statement guides the direction of the essay, providing a roadmap for the argument, narrative, or explanation. ✅ Evidence-based: While the thesis statement itself doesn’t include evidence, it sets up an argument that can be supported with evidence in the body of the essay. ✅ Placement: Generally, the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction of an essay.

Try These AI Prompts – Thesis Statement Generator!

One way to brainstorm thesis statements is to get AI to brainstorm some for you! Try this AI prompt:

💡 AI PROMPT FOR EXPOSITORY THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTUCTIONS]. I want you to create an expository thesis statement that doesn’t argue a position, but demonstrates depth of knowledge about the topic.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTRUCTIONS]. I want you to create an argumentative thesis statement that clearly takes a position on this issue.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR COMPARE AND CONTRAST THESIS STATEMENT I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that remain objective.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CityU Scholars A Research Hub of Excellence

System upgrade will be carried out on 12 Oct 2023 (Thu) from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm (HK Time) . The system will not be available during this period.

• Researchers
• Research Units
• Research Output
• Prizes/Honours
• Student Theses
• Press/Media

Find Student Theses

• Office of the President
• Office of the Vice-President (Administration)
• Office of the Provost and Deputy President
• Office of the Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise)
• Office of the Vice-President (Mainland Strategy)
• Office of the Vice-President (Research)
• Office of the Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy)
• Department of Accountancy
• Department of Economics and Finance
• Department of Information Systems
• Department of Management
• Department of Management Sciences
• Department of Marketing
• Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
• Department of Biomedical Engineering
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Electrical Engineering
• Department of Materials Science and Engineering
• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Department of Systems Engineering
• Chan Feng Men-ling Chan Shuk-lin Language Centre
• Department of Chinese and History
• Department of English
• Department of Linguistics and Translation
• Department of Media and Communication
• Department of Public and International Affairs
• Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences
• Department of Biostatistics
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Physics
• Department of Biomedical Sciences
• Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health
• Department of Neuroscience
• Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
• School of Creative Media
• School of Data Science
• School of Energy and Environment
• School of Law
• Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies
• Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study
• Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy
• Hong Kong Institute for Data Science
• Centre for Judicial Education and Research cum Identification of Hong Kong Law
• Centre for Nature-Inspired Engineering
• Centre for Neutron Scattering
• Centre of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films
• Liu Bie Ju Centre for Mathematical Sciences
• State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (City University of Hong Kong)
• State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves (City University of Hong Kong)
• Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center
• Ability R&D Energy Research Centre
• Center for East Asian and Comparative Philosophy
• Centre for Advanced Structural Materials
• Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media
• Centre for Biosystems, Neuroscience, and Nanotechnology
• Centre for Chinese and Comparative Law
• Centre for Communication Research
• Centre for Complexity and Complex Networks
• Centre for Functional Photonics
• Centre for Robotics and Automation
• Centre for System Informatics Engineering
• Fintech and Business Analytics Centre
• Low-Carbon and Climate Impact Research Centre
• Multimedia Software Engineering Research Centre
• Research Centre on One-Belt-One-Road
• Southeast Asia Research Centre
• The Halliday Centre for Intelligent Applications of Language Studies
• Center for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development
• Centre for Animal Health and Welfare
• Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice
• Centre for Decentralized Trust Computing
• Centre for Innovative Applications of Internet and Multimedia Technologies
• Centre for Public Affairs and Law
• Centre for Smart Energy Conversion and Utilization Research
• Centre on Global Internet Finance
• Hong Kong Commercial and Maritime Law Centre
• Research Centre for Sustainable Hong Kong
• Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre
• Advanced Intelligent Information Systems Research Centre
• Architecture and Civil Engineering Research Centre
• Biotechnology & Health Centre
• CityU Center on Neutron Scattering
• CityU Research Centre on Optical Fibre Sensing and Communications
• Information and Communication Technology Centre
• Research Centre for Oceans and Human Health
• Laboratory Animal Research Unit
• Joint Laboratory for Robotic Research
• Joint Laboratory of Nano-organic Functional Materials and Devices
• Joint Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanomechanics
• Joint Laboratory on Neutron Scattering
• Chengdu Research Institute
• CityU Matter Research Institute (Futian)
• Dongguan Research Institute
• Laboratory of Wearable Materials for Healthcare
• Research Centre for Treatments of Brain Disorders
• Shenzhen Research Institute
• USTC-CityU Joint Advanced Research Centre (Suzhou)
• Run Run Shaw Library
• School of Continuing and Professional Education

• Author last name

Harnessing Renewable Energies for Seawater Lithium Extraction Based on Photoelectrochemical and Triboelectric Nanogenerators Approaches

Supervisor: HE, J. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis

Empirical Investigation of Strategic Responses to Crisis

Supervisor: DONG, C. M. (Supervisor), LI, Y. D. (Supervisor), TAN, Y. C. (Co-supervisor) & YU, J. J. (Co-supervisor)

The Dilemma of Single-Player Games in China - The Profound Influence of the State on Foreign-Made Single-Player Games in the Chinese Video Game Market

Supervisor: KOW, Y. M. (Supervisor) & LEINO, O. T. (Supervisor)

Contactless Side Channels in Mobile Charging Systems: Attacks and Defenses

Supervisor: XU, W. (Supervisor) & ZHAO, Q. (Co-supervisor)

Examining and Nurturing Future-ready Supply Chain Management Practitioner in a Dynamic Business Environment in Hong Kong

Supervisor: CHAN, H. S. A. (Supervisor)

Construction of Doctors' Professional Identities in Medical Consultations: An Exploratory Study of Doctor-Patient Communication in Mainland China

Supervisor: PUN, J. (Supervisor)

ABO Blood Donation Deviation Associated with Human Migration

Supervisor: DENG, X. (Supervisor) & SHI, J. (Co-supervisor)

Applications of Resonantly Enhanced Optical Fields and Forces

Supervisor: CHU, S. T. (Supervisor)

Coding for Security and Communication in Distributed Computing Systems

Supervisor: SUNG, C. W. (Supervisor)

Photofunctional Rhenium(I), Ruthenium(II), and Iridium(III) Polypyridine Complexes for Therapeutic and Concerted Bioorthogonal Applications

Supervisor: LO, K. W. K. (Supervisor)

共享經濟背景下平台粘性研究

Supervisor: LING, H. (External person) (External Supervisor) & XU, J. D. (Supervisor)

Efficient Scheduling of Distributed Deep Neural Network Workloads

Supervisor: WANG, C. (Supervisor) & XU, H. (External person) (External Co-Supervisor)

Multinational Oil Companies (MNOCs) in the Niger Delta: Responsibility for Attributable Environmental Impacts on Human Rights, ESG Reporting and Eco-Restorative Adaptation

Supervisor: Tsimplis, M. (Supervisor) & DEVA, S. (External person) (External Co-Supervisor)

中小型傳統製造企業導入智能製造之評估模型和應用﹕以運動鞋製造企業為例

Supervisor: HAO, G. (Supervisor) & Wang, Y. (External person) (External Supervisor)

Exploiting Graph Convolutional Networks for Light Field Image Compression

Supervisor: KWONG, T. W. S. (External person) (External Co-Supervisor) & WANG, S. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Master's Thesis

Artificial Intelligence, Web Content Personalisation and Big Tech in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Human Rights-Based Approach to Development

Supervisor: LIN, F. (Supervisor)

Geometry-Aware Deep Modeling of Dynamic 3D Point Cloud Sequences

Supervisor: HOU, J. (Supervisor)

Neutronic-coupled Thermal Hydraulic Analysis of Two-phase Cooled Flow Blockage Condition in LFR

Supervisor: WANG, M. (External person) (External Supervisor), LI, T. (External person) (External Supervisor) & ZHAO, J. (Supervisor)

Builders of Our New Society?: Volunteering and Other Forms of Civic Participation in Singapore under the Impact of COVID-19

Supervisor: KWAN, C. K. (Supervisor) & LO, T. W. (Supervisor)

「反訓」成因研究 - 以徐世榮《古漢語反訓集釋》為語料

Supervisor: KWOK, P. F. (Supervisor)

Student theses

Filters for student theses.

• 1 - 25 out of 10,874 results
• Title (descending)

Search results

`drink responsibly´ communication campaigns: a perfect cocktail of brand promotion and social responsibility.

Simone Massaro

Cand.merc.smc Strategic Market Creation, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2012

Student thesis : Master thesis

(Un-)Predictability in Bond Returns: Benchmarking Deep Learning Architectures out of Sample

Mads Bibow Busborg Nielsen, Kai Rövenich

MSc in Advanced Economics and Finance, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2017

#AUTHENTICITY: A Case Study on how Influencers can Appear Authentic on Instagram

Ida Stockfleth Jensen

MA in International Business Communication (Intercultural Marketing), (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2022

#Fitstagram: The Role of Strategic Liking on Instagram in the Context of the Fitness Culture

Laura S. Andersen, Louise Kristiansen

MA in International Business Communication (Intercultural Marketing), (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2016

#PaidPartnerships: The Drivers of Consumer Perceived Brand Authenticity of Social Media Influencers and the Role of a Sponsorship Disclosure

Caroline Sofia Fich Andersen, Cecilie Juul Jørgensen

MSc in Brand and Communications Management, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2021

#Upgrading Grunig and Hunt: A reconceptualization of Grunig & Hunt’s public relations models from a CCO perspective

Charlotte Rex

MA in International Business Communication (Intercultural Marketing), (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2015

#SPONSORED : An Explorative Study on Perceived Influencer Credibility in a Commercialized Context on Instagram

Signe Søder, Katrine Guldager

MSc in Business Administration and Organizational Communication, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2018

#Sponsored; If I Say It’s Good, Do You Trust Me? A Thesis on Gen Z’s Perception of Credibility in Influencer Marketing

Mathilde Bjørn Andersen

MSc in Economics and Marketing, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2023

1 Multilisting – hvad er værdien for virksomheder og investorer?

Tina Esmarch Viuf

Graduate Diploma in Finance, (Diploma Programme) Final Thesis, 2015

Student thesis : Diploma thesis

2022 FIFA World Cup : Authenticity in Football

Frederik Wolf Windum

MA in International Business Communication (Intercultural Marketing), (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2020

3D printing global value chains: How new technology is restructuring production in the 21st Century

Martha Rehnberg

MSc in International Business and Politics, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2015

3D-printing Could Change the World: An Analysisin Law and Economics of the InfoSoc-directive’s Efficiency

Alexander Kroer Dal, Alexander Lerche

MSc in Commercial Law, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2017

50 years of Sustainability in the UN: A Genealogy

Kristoffer Østergaard Bruun Kristensen, Milad Azim

MSocSc in Political Communication and Managment, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2022

7-trins-skalaen: En analyse af information og diskurs

Helle Bjørnstrup

MA in International Business Communication (Intercultural Marketing), (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2009

95% målsætningen og uddannelsesvejledning

Annemette Færch

Master of Public Governance, (Executive Master Programme) Final Thesis, 2013

Student thesis : Master executive thesis

A/B Modellen: I krydsfeltet mellem selskabsretten og skatteretten

Maibritt Nybro Jensen

Master i Skat, (Executive Master Programme) Final Thesis, 2016

A basic income for Central America: Towards the eradication of extreme poverty in the region

Alice Krozer

MSc in Business, Language and Culture, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2011

ABC-costing i Handicapcentret i Københavns Kommune

Viktoria Feldstedt, Christian Helvad

Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Financial Management, (Diploma Programme) Final Thesis, 2013

Abenas udnyttelse af internationaliseringsfordele i udlandet

Steffen Boel Kristensen, Morten Redder Madsen

Graduate Diploma in International Business, (Diploma Programme) Final Thesis, 2017

Abnormal Returns on Employee Stock Option Grants: An Event Study on Stockholm Stock Exchange

Ermin Keric, Mia Vale Sæter

MSc in Finance and Investments, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2016

MSc in Applied Economics and Finance, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2016

A bottom-up approach to reintegration of ex-combatants in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Anne Katrine Hansen

MSc in Business, Language and Culture, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2009

A Brave New Symbiotic World: An Emerging Ecological Order of Worth

Nicholas Haagensen

MSc in International Business and Politics, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2016

A breakthrough approach for the study of innovations that combines Actor Network Theory and Tribal Consumption: The case of the 3D printer and the Third Industrial Revolution

Barbara Jiménez Fuentes, Virginia Cimino

MSc in Brand and Communications Management, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2013

A business model approach to Web 2.0

Sebastian Schröder

MSc in Strategy, Organization and Leadership, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2011

A Business Model Framework for Sharing Economy: Disclosing Customer Value and Characteristics

Julie Blom Engelsholm

MSocSc in Service Management, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis, 2016

Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet

Advanced search, limit the search further.

• Blekinge Institute of Technology
• Dalarna University
• Dialekt- och ortnamnsarkivet i Göteborg (Closed down 1980-12-31)
• Dialekt- och ortnamnsarkivet i Lund (DAL) (Closed down 2015-01-01)
• Dialekt-, ortnamns-, och folkminnesarkivet i Umeå (DAUM) (Closed down 2015-01-01)
• Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College (Closed down 2022-01-24)
• Ersta Sköndal University College (Closed down 2017-01-23)
• Folkminnesföreningen i Lund (Closed down 1944-12-31)
• Folkmåls- och folkminnesundersökning i övre Norrland (Closed down 1970-12-31)
• Gotland University (Closed down 2013-06-30)
• Halmstad University
• Institute for Language and Folklore
• IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
• Jönköping University
• Karlstad University
• Kristianstad University
• Landsmålsarkivet i Lund (Closed down 1970-12-31)
• Linköping University
• Linnaeus University
• Luleå University of Technology
• Malmö högskola (Closed down 2017-12-31)
• Malmö University
• Marie Cederschiöld University
• Mid Sweden University
• Mälardalen University (Closed down 2021-12-31)
• Mälardalen University
• National Museums of World Culture
• Nationalmuseum
• Nordic Council of Ministers
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Nämnden för svensk språkvård (Closed down 1972-12-31)
• Ortnamnsarkivet i Uppsala (OAU) (Closed down 1990-12-31)
• Perfomers of environmental monitoring
• Region Östergötland
• RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden (2017-2019) (Closed down 2019-12-31)
• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
• RISE (Closed down 2016-12-31)
• Royal College of Music in Stockholm
• Royal Institute of Art
• Sophiahemmet University
• Språk- och folkminnesinstitutet (Closed down 2005-12-31)
• Stockholm College (Closed down 1960-09-02)
• Stockholm School of Theology (Closed down 2018-04-30)
• Stockholm University of the Arts
• Stockholm University
• Svenska ortnamnsarkivet (SOA)
• Svenska språknämnden (Closed down 2005-12-31)
• Sverigefinska språknämnden (Closed down 2006-06-30)
• Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management
• Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
• Swedish Defence University
• Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
• Swedish Geotechnical Institute
• Swedish Museum of Natural History
• Swedish National Archives
• Swedish National Heritage Board
• Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute
• Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
• Swedish Rail Administration (Closed down 2010-03-31)
• Swedish Red Cross University
• Swedish Road Administration (Closed down 2010-03-31)
• Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH
• Swedish Transport Administration
• Södertörn University
• The Nordic Africa Institute
• The Nordic Museum
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
• Trafiksäkerhetsverket (Closed down 1993-12-31)
• Umeå University
• University College Stockholm
• University of Arts, Crafts and Design
• University of Borås
• University of Gävle
• University of Kalmar (Closed down 2009-12-31)
• University of Karlstad (Closed down 1998-12-31)
• University of Skövde
• University West
• Uppsala landsmålsarkiv (ULMA)
• Uppsala University
• Västsvenska folkminnesföreningen (Closed down 1969-12-31)
• Växjö University (Closed down 2009-12-31)
• Örebro University Hospital
• Örebro University
• Östergötlands Läns Landsting (Closed down 2014-12-31)
• Independent thesis Basic level (university diploma)
• Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor)
• Independent thesis Basic level (professional degree)
• Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year))
• Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years))
• Independent thesis Advanced level (professional degree)
• Student paper first term
• Student paper second term
• Student paper other
• Independent thesis Basic level (Higher Education Diploma (Fine Arts))
• Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts)
• Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master of Fine Arts (One Year))
• Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master of Fine Arts (Two Years))
• Artistic works only
• Exclude artistic work
• External cooperation only
• Exclude external cooperation
• Genetics and Breeding in Agricultural Sciences
• Plant Biotechnology
• Agricultural Science
• Fish and Aquacultural Science
• Food Science
• Forest Science
• Horticulture
• Landscape Architecture
• Soil Science
• Wood Science
• Animal and Dairy Science
• Agricultural Occupational Health and Safety
• Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
• Fish and Wildlife Management
• Other Agricultural Sciences not elsewhere specified
• Renewable Bioenergy Research
• Clinical Science
• Medical Bioscience
• Other Veterinary Science
• Pathobiology
• Chemical Process Engineering
• Corrosion Engineering
• Other Chemical Engineering
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Polymer Technologies
• Architectural Engineering
• Building Technologies
• Construction Management
• Environmental Analysis and Construction Information Technology
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Infrastructure Engineering
• Other Civil Engineering
• Transport Systems and Logistics
• Water Engineering
• Communication Systems
• Computer Systems
• Control Engineering
• Embedded Systems
• Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering
• Signal Processing
• Telecommunications
• Bioremediation
• Diagnostic Biotechnology
• Other Environmental Biotechnology
• Water Treatment
• Energy Systems
• Environmental Management
• Geophysical Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Mineral and Mine Engineering
• Ocean and River Engineering
• Other Environmental Engineering
• Remote Sensing
• Bio Materials
• Biocatalysis and Enzyme Technology
• Biochemicals
• Bioengineering Equipment
• Bioprocess Technology
• Medical Biotechnology
• Other Industrial Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• Composite Science and Engineering
• Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology
• Metallurgy and Metallic Materials
• Other Materials Engineering
• Paper, Pulp and Fiber Technology
• Textile, Rubber and Polymeric Materials
• Aerospace Engineering
• Applied Mechanics
• Energy Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics
• Other Mechanical Engineering
• Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
• Reliability and Maintenance
• Tribology (Interacting Surfaces including Friction, Lubrication and Wear)
• Vehicle Engineering
• Medical Equipment Engineering
• Medical Ergonomics
• Medical Image Processing
• Medical Laboratory and Measurements Technologies
• Medical Materials
• Other Medical Engineering
• Nano Technology
• Food Engineering
• Interaction Technologies
• Media Engineering
• Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified
• Architecture
• Art History
• Literary Composition
• Performing Art Studies
• Performing Arts
• Studies on Film
• Visual Arts
• Archaeology
• History of Technology
• General Language Studies and Linguistics
• General Literature Studies
• Specific Languages
• Specific Literatures
• Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
• Cultural Studies
• Other Humanities not elsewhere specified
• History of Ideas
• History of Religions
• Religious Studies
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Immunology in the medical area
• Medical Genetics
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Microbiology in the medical area
• Neurosciences
• Other Basic Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Social and Clinical Pharmacy
• Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
• Cancer and Oncology
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Clinical Laboratory Medicine
• Dermatology and Venereal Diseases
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• General Practice
• Infectious Medicine
• Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics
• Other Clinical Medicine
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
• Respiratory Medicine and Allergy
• Rheumatology and Autoimmunity
• Urology and Nephrology
• Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
• Medical Ethics
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Occupational Health and Environmental Health
• Occupational Therapy
• Other Health Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
• Sport and Fitness Sciences
• Substance Abuse
• Biomaterials Science
• Biomedical Laboratory Science/Technology
• Medical Biotechnology (with a focus on Cell Biology (including Stem Cell Biology), Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Biopharmacy)
• Other Medical Biotechnology
• Forensic Science
• Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences
• Other Medical Sciences not elsewhere specified
• Behavioral Sciences Biology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
• Biological Systematics
• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology
• Other Biological Topics
• Structural Biology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Other Chemistry Topics
• Physical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry
• Bioinformatics (Computational Biology)
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Sciences
• Computer Vision and Robotics (Autonomous Systems)
• Human Computer Interaction
• Information Systems
• Language Technology (Computational Linguistics)
• Media and Communication Technology
• Other Computer and Information Science
• Software Engineering
• Climate Research
• Environmental Sciences
• Geochemistry
• Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
• Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences
• Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources
• Other Earth and Related Environmental Sciences
• Physical Geography
• Algebra and Logic
• Computational Mathematics
• Discrete Mathematics
• Mathematical Analysis
• Other Mathematics
• Probability Theory and Statistics
• Other Natural Sciences
• Accelerator Physics and Instrumentation
• Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
• Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics
• Other Physics Topics
• Subatomic Physics
• Business Administration
• Economic History
• Pedagogical Work
• Law (excluding Law and Society)
• Law and Society
• Communication Studies
• Human Aspects of ICT
• Information Studies
• Information Systems, Social aspects
• Media Studies
• Gender Studies
• International Migration and Ethnic Relations
• Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
• Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
• Work Sciences
• Globalisation Studies
• Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalisation Studies)
• Public Administration Studies
• Applied Psychology
• Psychology (excluding Applied Psychology)
• Economic Geography
• Human Geography
• Social Anthropology
• Social Psychology
• Social Work
• Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)

Product Design Thesis Showcase

Posted in: Announcements

We are thrilled to extend to you a special invitation to Montclair State University’s highly anticipated Product Design Thesis Showcase! This event promises to be an inspiring celebration of creativity, innovation, and the culmination of months of hard work by our talented product design students. Whether you’re an industry professional seeking fresh talent, a design enthusiast looking for inspiration, or simply curious about the future of product design, this event is sure to captivate and inspire you featuring groundbreaking concepts, captivating presentations, and an engaging interactive Q&A session.

For nearly two decades, our renowned Product Design program has been dedicated to shaping the next generation of industry leaders. We take immense pride in our graduates’ achievements, with many securing coveted positions at over 80 major companies across the US and abroad, including prestigious names like Movado Group, Under Armour, Nike, and more.

Our program’s success is rooted in a robust curriculum that emphasizes Design Thinking and User-centered Design. We’ve forged valuable partnerships with leading industry organizations such as IDSA and esteemed companies like Revo, Helen of Troy, and Movado Group, offering our students unparalleled opportunities to engage with professionals in real-world settings. However, our students’ accomplishments extend far beyond the classroom. They’ve demonstrated their prowess by clinching top honors in national competitions, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the National Traffic Safety Design Competition and 2nd place in the Under Armour design competition. Moreover, their commitment to community projects is commendable, having contributed their talents to initiatives like designing habitat rooms for the Montclair Animal Shelter and building a playground for the Montclair YMCA.

We cordially invite you to witness firsthand the remarkable talent and dedication of our senior Product Design students. Your presence will undoubtedly enhance this celebration of creativity and innovation.

• Product Design Senior Presentation
• May 6, 2024, 6:00 pm
• School of Communication and Media Presentation Hall

• Explore Academics
• Academic Calendar
• Course Search
• Early College
• Student Services
• Apply for Free
• Admission Events
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Transfer to UMA
• Student Life
• Activities & Events
• Clubs & Organizations
• Fitness Centers
• New Student Orientation
• Student Handbook
• Veterans & Military Services
• Quick Facts
• UMA at a Glance
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• Moose Answers Q&A

Trust the Process: The 2024 UMA Senior Thesis Exhibition

Charles danforth gallery jewett hall, university of maine at augusta may 4 – may 23, 2024.

Opening Reception and Artist Talk in the Danforth Gallery ,

Immediately following Commencement on May 4, 2024, at Noon

The graduating Art students of the University of Maine at Augusta will exhibit their senior thesis artwork in the Charles Danforth Gallery on UMA’s Augusta campus in an exhibition entitled Trust the Process . The exhibition includes the work of seven artists and will open at noon with a public reception immediately after Commencement on Saturday, May 4.

Trust the Process reflects the evolution of each artist’s concepts and work over the past semester, using the tools of self- and faculty-critiques. Exhibiting artists include Emily Allen, Julia Dry, Des Dumais, Bruce Forbes, Donald L. Patten, Sophia Reyes, and Jared Winslow.

Trust the Process is on view from May 4 – May 23, 2024, and the public is welcome to visit the gallery in Jewett Hall, which is open on Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The UMA community and the general public are invited to the opening reception and artist talk on May 4 at noon.

Follow the Danforth Gallery on Instagram and Facebook , and on their website: danforth.uma.edu .

Artist Biographies

Emily Allen (Gardiner, Maine) : Emily Allen is an aspiring illustrator who works primarily in 2-dimensions with media ranging from graphite and paint to digital drawings. Over the past three years, Emily developed a story that she is translating into a graphic novel. Several completed pages for this novel, along with a myriad of her preparatory sketches for this work are on view in the exhibition. After graduation, Emily will pursue a master’s degree in illustration, eventually publishing her complete graphic novel.

Julia Dry (Hallowell, Maine) : Julia Dry is a mixed media artist who primarily works with sterling silver, enamel, and copper to create sculptures and jewelry pieces. While the subject of her work is often changing, her love for color has stayed consistent. Julia’s process centers experimentation and research to better understand her chosen materials. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree after graduation.

Des Dumais (Fort Kent, Maine) : Des Dumais is a tattoo artist. She moved from Fort Kent to Augusta to pursue her dream of being a tattoo artist. Her fine arts education has given Des the tools and knowledge to excel in her career. Des creates tattoos that not only adorn the skin, but also resonate with the spirit within. Each session is an opportunity to forge a connection, leaving a mark that transcends the physical and becomes a part of the wearer’s identity.

Bruce Forbes (Philipsburg, Pennsylvania) : Bruce Forbes is a photographer who moved to Augusta long ago for work reasons. He focuses on portraiture, but also engages in landscape photography, especially scenes from the Kennebec River and the city of Augusta. Bruce also pursues street photography during warmer weather. He brings his training in composition and color to his photographic work. In addition to his portraiture and landscape work, he hopes to photograph a series centered upon truck stops this summer.

Donald L. Patten (Belfast, Maine) : Donald is a draftsman, oil painter, and ceramicist. In the past, old master painters would depict historically significant disasters that happened to them to cope. A student of the old masters, Donald has made a series of drawings that represent his pandemic experiences by referencing past masterpieces that depict the embodied experience of trauma. After graduating, he will display oil paintings and ceramic artworks at several art markets around Maine before pursuing an MFA degree.

Sophia Reyes (Houston, Texas) : Sophia is an interdisciplinary artist residing in Maine. The Houston, Texas native primarily works with photography, digital art, and printmaking. With photography being her first love, she centers her printmaking practice on captured memories using the aid of digital tools and traditional printmaking techniques to bring these images to life. Her work explores the themes of home and identity through the navigation and reflection of personal narratives and experiences of a first generation Mexican American.

Jared Winslow (New Sharon, Maine) : Jared is a mixed media artist who works primarily with inks, gouache and watercolor to create fine drawings and illustrations. Jared’s works feature a wide range of subjects, but one consistent theme is his passion for nature and plant life. His artistic process involves finding inspiration by immersing himself in natural environments, sketching intricate details, and then experimenting with compositions. His approach allows him to layer materials. After graduation, he hopes to pursue his master’s degree.

Lewiston Sun Journal

Account Subscription: ACTIVE

Questions about your account? Our customer service team can be reached at [email protected] during business hours at (207) 791-6000 .

• Things to Do

UMaine Augusta displays senior thesis exhibition

You are able to gift 5 more articles this month.

Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more .

With a Lewiston Sun Journal subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month.

It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To get one, go to the subscriptions page .

Loading....

Donald L. Patten, “Mask Gleaners,” Charcoal on canvas, 2024. Submitted photo

AUGUSTA — The graduating art students of the University of Maine at Augusta will exhibit their senior thesis artwork in the Charles Danforth Gallery on UMA’s Augusta campus in an exhibition titled Trust the Process.

The exhibition, which includes the work of seven artists, is set to open at noon Saturday, May 4, with a public reception immediately after commencement.

Emily Allen, “The Origins of a Villain: The Beginning,” Page 1 Submitted photo

Trust the Process reflects the evolution of each artist’s concepts and work over the past semester, using the tools of self- and faculty-critiques. Exhibiting artists include Emily Allen, Julia Dry, Des Dumais, Bruce Forbes, Donald L. Patten, Sophia Reyes and Jared Winslow.

Trust the Process is on view from May 4-23, and the public is welcome to visit the gallery in Jewett Hall, which is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The UMA community and public are invited to the opening reception and artist talk on May 4.

Follow the Danforth Gallery on Instagram and Facebook @UMADanforth and at danforth.uma.edu .

  Advertisement

Check out other upcoming area events!

Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.

Enter your email and password to access comments.

Forgot Password?

Don't have a commenting profile? Create one.

Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Already have a commenting profile? Login .

Invalid username/password.

Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.

Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate.

Already registered? Log in to join the discussion.

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why .

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

Send questions/comments to the editors.

Member Log In

Please enter your username and password below. Already a subscriber but don't have one? Click here .

Not a subscriber? Click here to see your options

• search close Search search
• Academics Overview
• Majors & Programs
• Colleges & Schools
• Career Outcomes & Internships
• Academic Calendar & Resources
• Belmont Online
• Admissions & Aid Overview
• First-Year Students
• Transfer Students
• Graduate & Professional Students
• Adult Degree Students
• International Students
• Military Students
• Life at Belmont Overview
• Student Life & Leadership
• Housing & Dining
• Safety & Security
• Health & Wellbeing
• Student Success & Flourishing
• Spiritual Life
• Graduate Student Life
• Living In Nashville
• Belmont Stories
• About Belmont
• Belmont at a Glance
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
• Christian Identity
• Our History
• Our Strategic Path to 2030
• Conservation & Sustainability
• University Leadership
• Request Info
• Visit Belmont
• Events Calendar
• Faculty & Staff
• Parents & Family

Senior Watkins Artists Illuminate Ideas of Identity, Absence, Community

April 24, 2024 | by Haley Charlton

• BFA Thesis Presentations 2024

The Leu Center for the Visual Art s is awash in color, light and emotion as senior  fine arts  students have their thesis projects on exhibition. For Zoe Nichols, Raymarah Watson- Cunningham and Leslie Lyons, these works dive into their personal explorations of identity, connection and the human experience.  

w hat is, a s is  

Raymarah's striking portrait series "what is, as is" commands the central gallery wall. "This body of work celebrates the sublime beauty, resilience and interconnectedness inherent within the Black experience," she explained.   

Her inspiration stems from a reflective poem that delves into acceptance of circumstances beyond one's control. "What inspired me to choose this theme of Blackness in the sublime is the existence of Black people and the beauty found in the Black human experience and identity," she said.  

Employing a layered technique of watercolor, pastels and pencil, Raymarah’s subjects radiate strength and grace through sketches with a thin layer of watercolor paint over top. She then used oil pastels and colored pencils to enhance certain details within the figures’ faces, accessories and clothing — using this specific layering technique to support the significance of what details like jewelry, box braid, waves and afro hairstyles mean to the Black community.  

"I simply want to provide a lens into what it means when Black lives and experiences are truly seen and acknowledged. I create to narrate and leave an open invitation to whoever is willing to listen."    

Raymarah reflected on the lessons learned through developing her thesis, noting she will never feel satisfied while making work about the Black, human experience, “simply because it is one that will never be satisfied within itself.”  

However, this body of work has given her more confidence in her work, helped her better understand her creative phases and taught her to give herself grace in developing her ideas.  

what is, as is

Still Life with Pear  

Nearby, Zoe's ephemeral installation “Still Life with Pear” casts an ethereal glow. Each of the pieces in the ensemble are meant to echo to the next, recording her attention to light in the gallery space.  

Using materials like plaster, pear seeds, silk screen, wood photography, projected and natural light, Zoe created the installations to be site-specific. “I like the ephemerality of this kind of work because the light will change in a week or so,” she explained. “The absence of that initial position of light speaks to themes of transience and memory in my work.”  

Zoe reflects on her father’s job as a photographer — giving him a specific eye for how objects catch the light. “There is a language of light that my grandfather passed to my dad, who passed it on to me,” she explained. “Attention to light has become an abiding practice for me.”  

After her father’s cancer diagnosis four years ago, she says her eyes now watch for absence of light, too. Her gossamer mixed-media pieces invite viewers on that very journey of noticing absence and light. "We can notice the presence bound to absence if we pay attention," she invited.  

This is Zoe’s first synthesis of her philosophical and artistic interests. She says the longer she has studied the two, the more each influences the other. She credits lessons learned to her Watkins classes and professors, saying her Philosophy of the Arts class with Dr. Andrew Davis “cracked everything open,” and Advanced Studio: Exhibition with Kristi Hargrove gave her conceptual projects that challenged her understanding of what art should or could be. Finally, her sculpture professor Thomas Sturgill has been an immense support and catalyst in her critical thinking and creative decision making.  

“This project is just one step in a lifetime of creating. I think I get caught up trying to say everything at once,” Zoe reflected. “I did a solo show last spring at the Watkins Art Gallery, and it’s cool to see how some of those concepts have lingered or changed completely... some materials have stayed the same. This thesis felt informed by last year's work, so it builds on itself in really cool ways, and it’s nice to remember I don’t have to have it all figured out.”  

Still Life with Pear

Gallery View

This image is part of a larger installation that stretches from the window to the opposite wall. The window is lined with a painted silkscreen. Light can only pour through the unpainted section of the screen. At 7:24, the direct morning light eclipses just the photograph before sliding onto the wall and floor.

Zoe marked the wall and floor with black seeds where the light stretches past the suspended image.

She titled this installation piece, Of Lungs, in the hopes that an absence of the word “pair” might tie this piece into the title of the show.

The pieces "Negative Pear" and "9:38 am Shadow" directly echo one another. Both utilize the absent form of a pear. In Negative Pear the plaster impression and light both act as negatives of a pear and its shadow. This is an important piece because it speaks to index, but it also exists actively in the way that a static photograph does not. Viewers can move their hands to interrupt the projected light.

9:38 am Shadow represents the empty space between a pear and its shadow in the gallery’s morning light. This solid shadow piece counters the active quality of the other piece and is positioned after the path of seeds to further imply the trajectory of morning light.

The piece, Core (a pair of pear lungs), was intentionally made to form a connection between the use of pears and the suspended photograph. There is a linguistic connection: “pair” of lungs and the “pear” fruit, which might be found in a still life. There is also a visual connection: the suspended seeds mirror the shape of the negative light in the photograph.

The final piece is a small wooden panel stretched with silkscreen. A mirror sits behind a rectangular cutout and the gallery lights reflect the window shape onto the floor. The reflection is only visible from certain locations. This piece echoes the photograph of reflected light.

FUTURE BRINGERS

In another gallery section are Leslie's vibrant paintings and monumental steel sculpture, which form a joyful celebration of identity, resolve and community. Based on the idea that “we're stronger together," Leslie explained that she wanted to create an optimistic, playful perspective with bright colors in her installation of FUTURE BRINGERS to convey a message of self-love and compassion for others.  

As a future art educator, Leslie believes in the power of education and community and believes that the art educator’s role is founded in activism and progress. She said, “I wanted my work to stress the importance of acceptance and understanding each other as a way to contextualize social progress in America.”  

Using materials commonly found in K-12 art classrooms like acrylic paint, oil pastel and colored pencil for the paintings, she also ventured into steel welding for the first time for her sculpture, wanting to use steel to represent the strength and permanence of the LGBTQ+ community.  

Leslie said she is proud of herself for pushing herself to use a new material, as she typically works in 2D, and is thankful for professors like Sturgill for giving her the confidence that she could do it when she expressed nerves and hesitation about working with new tools.   

“Forgiveness and patience with myself influenced the work greatly,” she concluded. “Being kind to yourself when working can sometimes feel like you’re sacrificing good work, but in the end, I feel way better about what I accomplished.”  

FUTURE BRINGERS sculpture

(left to right) “New Love,” “New Machine” and “New Religion”

As these three artists prepare to chart their creative paths beyond Watkins, their thesis exhibitions stand as powerful beacons illuminating the depth of their journeys. Through their blend of passion, vulnerability and unwavering vision, Raymarah , Zoe and Leslie have crafted works that transcend the personal to become profound meditations on identity, ephemerality and the resolute human spirit.