Lewis & ClarkCollege of Arts & Sciences

Environmental Studies

Thesis

ENVS students complete a capstone thesis via ENVS 400 in spring of their senior year following our situated approach to interdisciplinary environmental research. The thesis is preceded by a required independent study (ENVS 499T) with a faculty 499T advisor, typically done fall of the senior year. The thesis is based on the student’s concentration or second major. Below is further information and related links to assist ENVS students in completing their thesis.

Thesis Guidelines
As noted above, we strongly recommend that you adopt a situated research approach in your ENVS thesis; for full information and examples, see our Situating the Global Environment site. Many of you will have already initiated a situated research project during ENVS 220, 330, or 499; this could serve as an excellent basis for your thesis. Here are some general guidelines to follow when considering the ENVS thesis:
  • Objectives: The ENVS senior thesis represents the culmination of a student’s scholarly career in ENVS at LC, and as such should ideally demonstrate depth (expertise in concentration or second major), breadth (ability to draw connections across span of ENVS) originality (creative scholarly approach and outcome), and relevance (real-world applicability).
  • Structure: The depth and breadth objectives of the ENVS thesis suggest a recommended hourglass structure: broad at the top (beginning) and bottom (end), and narrow in the middle. The concentration-specific research question, methodology, and results make up the longer, more focused middle section of your thesis, but they are sandwiched between an introductory and final section that speak much more broadly to the questions, concerns, and literature of a general environmental audience.
  • Research Question: The above structure suggests that an important general question can be posed in the ENVS thesis introduction, but the focused research section builds on a specific research question, and often a related hypothesis or argument. For guidelines in asking good research questions, see the SGE site help page. Students spend a good deal of time refining their research question in ENVS 499T as they prepare their thesis proposals. 
  • Writing the Thesis: The ENVS thesis is more than original research; it is perhaps the largest written text a student has ever produced! It’s a good idea to start writing early and in pieces, not just when the research project is completed. Writing is a part of the research activity; writing is thinking. Writing provokes deeper examination and understanding of a student’s research. Students have different approaches to writing, and the LC Writing Center can help you find a style that works.
Thesis FAQ
 Here are some answers to common questions about your ENVS senior thesis.
  1. How long does my thesis have to be? As long as you and your ENVS 400 instructor determine is necessary to attain the objectives of depth, breadth, originality, and relevance as stated on the thesis information page. Successful theses have in past ranged from roughly 20 to 100 pages.
  2. Can I do a creative or practical project as part of my thesis? Yes! We encourage practical work as part of your thesis. But remember it’s not all of your thesis: each and every thesis needs a scholarly component. For instance, if you are doing an art project, you may submit the project and a written document that provides scholarly context on the art you created.
  3. When is my thesis due? Your thesis will be prepared and submitted as a part of Senior Seminar, ENVS 400, offered annually spring semester. A detailed schedule for thesis component due dates will be distributed in ENVS 400, but as a general rule the following apply:
    • Week 3: Your final thesis proposal due
    • Week 9 (prior to Spring Break): Complete draft of your thesis due
    • Last week of class: Your final thesis draft and poster summary due
  4. What is the expected format? There is no required format for theses at Lewis & Clark College, though some guidelines are available via the Formatting Academic Papers handout produced by the Writing Center. Do include a title page, with your thesis title, your name, major, institution (LC), date, and acknowledging any faculty mentors who assisted.
  5. Will I have a faculty thesis advisor? Your thesis will be completed with input from your ENVS 400 instructor and fellow thesis students; you may seek advice from other faculty, but you will not require a formal ENVS thesis advisor.  You will, however, need to secure the assistance of a 499T faculty advisor prior to ENVS 400, who will help you finalize your research and craft your thesis proposal.
  6. How do I do an honors thesis? Your honors thesis will be done following the same guidelines as above, with the following exceptions:
    • You must have a minimum 3.5 GPA in general and in the ENVS major
    • You must submit an almost-final draft early, generally by week six
    • Based on feedback from your ENVS 400 instructor and external faculty serving on your committee (see below), you must prepare a final version by spring break
    • You must defend your final draft immediately after spring break before a committee you choose of three faculty
    • If the committee requests revisions prior to approval (common), you must make these revisions in a satisfactory manner prior to the deadline for ENVS to report honors to CAS (typically two weeks prior to the end of the semester)
    • Final decision on honors rests with your faculty honors committee

Contact Us

The Environmental Studies Program is located in John R. Howard Hall on the Undergraduate Campus.

Emailenvs@lclark.edu

Voice503-768-7790
Fax503-768-7379

DirectorLiz Safran

Environmental Studies Program
Lewis & Clark
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road, MSC 62
Portland, OR 97219