Undergraduate Research in the Humanities

Students of the humanities who are nearing the end of their Evergreen education may wish to pursue a major research project, senior thesis, or capstone project in their particular field of interest. Often, the goal is to construct an original argument around a particular body of literature, set of ideas, or historical events. These kinds of projects develop advanced research skills in the humanities, including the ability to read deeply and critically in a particular field, and to discover and engage with important theoretical writings in that field. Students will also gain valuable skills in reading, analyzing, synthesizing, writing, and editing long pieces of complex prose. The best kinds of this work will be invaluable for graduate school applications and will be an asset to those entering the job market directly following graduation.

Stacey Davis (European history) specializes in French history from the 18th century to the present, as well as the history of French colonies in North and West Africa. Students who wish to study European social, cultural, political, intellectual, or religious history from the Middle Ages to the present, including topics in the history of gender and sociocultural aspects of the history of art, are welcome to propose research projects. Students are welcome to work with Dr. Davis on her ongoing research projects on 19th-century political prisoners, notions of citizenship and democracy in modern Europe, memory, and the history of aging.