The Major Research Paper is intended to help students develop skills in original research, working with primary and secondary sources, situating work within existing critical frameworks, and writing effectively. Students will identify and research a topic independently, ideally a substantial expansion of work from a previous graduate seminar, and write a paper of 7,000 to 10,000 words under the supervision of a faculty member. The final paper will be evaluated by a committee of the supervisor and one other faculty member.