<p>How do you come up with a senior thesis topic (history)?</p>
<p>I will be a senior this fall, and I will need to come up with a topic very soon if I want to do an honors thesis. However, there's nothing particularly I want to write about! Can someone help me???</p>
<p>In my case, it has to be African-American history (20th century...) dealing with educational (high school or higher education), social movements, gender and urban studies.</p>
<p>tenisghs,</p>
<p>Do you absolutely have to do a thesis? If not, I recommend against it. The only reason I would recommend that someone do a thesis is that they have an absolutely burning question that they can't answer without the thesis experience. Otherwise, you'll absolutely hate your life.</p>
<p>Given my options, I rather do a thesis than take a seminar course on an author I despise for my major. Yes, it will be miserable but I will do something I personally like.</p>
<p>In that case, start reviewing classwork and articles you've read in that area. See if anything "jumps out at you," and go from there. Don't write a paper on something just to do the thesis...I did that...it sucked.</p>
<p>When I did mine, I had no problem, because I chose a topic that I was really interested in already. From your posts, you already have plans on going to grad school, so there must be something you want to research. Pick something within the area you want to study. That way, not only will you be interested in it, but it will be handy when finished for a writing sample in grad applications (at least a few pages of it, anyway, by application time).</p>
<p>I really enjoyed writing my thesis. In fact, I wrote two honors theses (one for each major). It was a great semester because I could plan my own schedule, research according to my interests, and work with awesome faculty advisors.</p>
<p>Plus, it's practically required if you want to attend grad school. They will want to see evidence that you can produce your own research. And, honestly, they will want someone who can think of interesting research questions. The subjects you listed are complex, provocative, political -- surely, you have normative concerns that might inspire questions. Start with what you care about and go from there.</p>