Choose Your Own Anthropological Adventure – A Research Seminar
In it’s trial run, this course functioned to supplement thesis work on a smaller scale. Many students have great ideas for thesis work, but are unable to find a suitable supervisor during their undergrad. To circumvent finding a supervisor, this course was born. Students are given the opportunity to conduct independent anthropological research on a topic of their choosing. The educator running the course supervises the work and provides any necessary support to the students. Assessments included a research proposal, peer-editing, a final research paper and a final presentation. If funding is available, posters may be printed to showcase research at colloquiums.
Like some of my peers, I wanted to have an undergraduate thesis. I wanted to do work that showcased my academic capabilities outside of coursework. Unfortunately, that opportunity did not make itself available to me during my degree. When I heard rumblings of this course, I immediately contacted my professors to confirm it would be offered and to confirm that I could enroll. Dr. Newton may not have been able to be a thesis supervisor, but she provided me with the unique opportunity to conduct my own research and present it.
Dr. Newton is one of the best post-secondary professors I have been fortunate enough to learn under. Every part of her is passionate about her field and it is reflected in how she conducts her courses. Students feel important and that they matter in her classroom. Dr. Newton uses other teaching methods outside of the traditional, which in turn helps her students succeed. This course is no exception. In taking this course, I was able to better understand what I want out of my academic experiences and what I want for my future.
Oshawa Town Hall and Williams Piano Works
Photo in Oshawa Public Libraries Heritage Collections