In ER&M, seniors completing a year-long senior thesis may choose to do a traditional senior essay or a creative project. The creative project includes the final product (e.g. a film, artwork, creative writing, etc.) accompanied by a creative statement. ER&M senior thesis is evaluated by a second reader in consultation with the student’s adviser (advisers for double-major thesis). The second reader completes the Reader’s Report, which substantively assesses the essay’s/project’s treatment of the topic; primary and secondary sources; methodology; argument; theoretical engagement; writing; form; and the essay’s/project’s overall success. Before submitting the report, the second reader should contact the student’s senior thesis adviser(s) and discuss the evaluation of the essay/project.
- The second reader recommends a grade for the overall work to the adviser(s) of the essay. The adviser(s) may agree or disagree with the grade.
- If the adviser(s) and the reader agree on a grade, this is the grade for the essay/project.
- If the reader and the adviser(s) do not agree on the grade, the reader of the essay/project and the adviser(s) should contact the Senior Program Coordinator via email and request that the essay/project be anonymously re-evaluated by a third faculty reader, before the letter grade is recorded.
- If the essay/project needs to be evaluated by a third faculty reader, the second reader should still write and submit a Reader’s Report with the grade he/she/they would have given the essay/project noted on the Reader’s Report.
- The student’s adviser(s) may recommend the third faculty reader. The ER&M Senior Program Coordinator has the final decision as to who this faculty will be.
- In the case of a grade dispute, the final grade is the grade submitted by the third anonymous faculty reader. The new grade can go up or down, and whatever grade is reported by the anonymous reader is the final grade. No Evaluation Report is required of the third faculty reader.
- The final grade will be given with the second reader’s report.
DISPUTING A SENIOR ESSAY GRADE
- Students may not dispute a senior essay/project grade for the following reasons:
- Any essay/project receiving a grade of B+ or better cannot be disputed.
- A grade agreed on by the adviser and the second reader cannot be disputed.
- Once the grade is recorded in the main Registrar‘s Office, the grade cannot be disputed.
- If the student has not discussed the grade dispute process with their thesis adviser(s).
- A grade cannot be disputed if the student’s adviser is against the dispute.
Students may dispute a senior essay/project grade under the conditions below:
- The adviser has not agreed to the grade reported on the Reader Report and it is lower than a B+.
- The adviser has not spoken with the reader and the grade is lower than a B+.
- The adviser completely supports the student in writing after the student consulted with the adviser concerning a re-evaluation, and the student’s grade is lower than a B+.