Seniors breathe a sigh of relief after completing senior papers this week

Hiding out in every corner of the library, Luther seniors diligently worked to finish their senior papers earlier this week. Since 1946, this all-college requirement has served as a chance for seniors to delve further into topics within their major and accomplish this last task before graduation.

The criteria for senior papers vary between departments. Typically, the science, music and arts departments have shorter paper requirements, since time is spent in labs or out of the classroom for research.

In each department, students work with faculty members who serve as project advisors, helping seniors formulate their final project. Many papers include both writing and oral communication components and some students are able to publish their papers or present them at national conferences.

In each senior’s major field, topics are chosen depending on the student’s interests.

This semester, communication studies major Christine Richardson’s (‘09) paper used Narrative Theory to analyze three popular children’s books: The Rainbow Fish, The Story of Babar and The Giving Tree. Richardson analyzed the messages of power in society found within these books through homogeneity, colonialism and sexism.

“These three books have the same main themes of generosity and giving, but I wanted to look closer at the texts to see what else could be taken from these stories,” Richardson said. “I was interested in what I could find beneath the books’ surface.”

Transitioning from fantasy to reality, sociology and Spanish major Annie Daly’s (‘09) paper focused on factors that persuaded Luther students, busy with final exams and previously uninvolved or unaware of immigration-related issues, into helping with the humanitarian relief efforts after the immigration workplace raid in Postville, Iowa.

“Researching and writing was a really great experience because it helped me understand and analyze the social phenomena, but also developed a deeper appreciation for students at Luther,” Daly said. “Their willingness to help was so sincere and the reflections of their experiences were so honest. They articulated such compassion for the people they worked with, which was very inspiring.”

Whichever topic students chose to focus their research on, all seniors’ papers were due at 5 p.m. on April 29. As of April 24, the Registrar’s Office had only received 15 senior projects, which explained the influx of seniors camped out in the library until late hours of the night this week.

Although senior papers take a lot of time and effort, finishing up the final paragraph leaves students with feelings of relief and achievement.

“Senior projects force students to develop skills in working independently and of conducting a very high level of work in their selected field,” Associate Professor of Communication Studies Mark Johns said. “It gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and for those going to graduate school, it’s an invaluable preparation.”

In addition to feeling a sense of success after completing the project, senior papers are the first building block in preparing students for life after college.

“These projects are valuable in regards to both reflection and preparation,” Registrar staff member Doug Koschmeder said. “It can be an opportunity to reflect on the education experiences over the last four years and serves as one of the first steps in preparation for life’s next learning experience.”