HONR 4890C 01: Senior Honor Thesis Capstone

HONR 4890C - Senior Honors Thesis: Capstone

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41919,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Presley Bowser

Professor:  Presley Bowser 

Professional Qualifications:  Master’s, Professional Communication, Youngstown State University, 2021

Bachelor’s, ILA Education, Youngstown State University, 2020

Office: Fok Hall  

Phone: 330.941.4740 

Email: plbowser@ysu.edu 

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Course Description

4890C. Senior Honors Thesis: Capstone. Directed research for students pursuing senior honors thesis research. Prereq.: Junior status; completion of 18 s.h. of Honors coursework; submission of an approved Honors thesis proposal; and permission of the honors director. May be repeated for up to 3 s.h. 1-3 s.h.

The senior honors capstone seminar (HONR 4890C) is a one-credit seminar that allows students to earn capstone credit towards their honors requirement. The design of this course provides students with an opportunity to comprehensively reflect upon their undergraduate education and honors experiences while preparing them to enter the workforce or graduate study. A variety of topics will be covered to assist students in establishing a strong portfolio to take with them as they begin application and interview processes. This course is completely asynchronous except for midterm meetings and the final project, an oral mock interview session. All assignments can be found on Blackboard. 

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Optional No Readings N/A N/A

No Readings.

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24 Syllabus and Weekly Schedule Review the Blackboard course, syllabus, and weekly schedule.
Introduce the Future Graduate School and Workplace Investigation assignment.
Review Professional Headshot Bonus assignment
Future Graduate School and Workplace Investigations (Due Sunday, August 30th by 11:59 PM)
8/31 None Overview of Final Honors Capstone Project. Begin working on Final Honors Capstone Project.
9/7 None Review research and scholarship resources on campus.
Overview of Honors Pillar Reflection 1: Research and Scholarship.
Honors Pillar Reflection 1: Research and Scholarship (Due Sunday, September 13th by 11:59 PM)
9/14 None Review Office of Career Exploration and Development resources on campus.
Overview of Professional Portfolio Assignment.
Begin working on Professional Portfolio Assignment.
9/21 None Reminder of Office of Career Exploration and Development resources on campus.
Continue working on Professional Portfolio Assignment.
Professional Portfolio (Due Sunday, September 27th by 11:59 PM)
9/28 None Review student activities and campus recreation resources on campus.
Overview of Honors Pillar Reflection 2: Leadership and Involvement.
Honors Pillar Reflection 2: Leadership and Involvement (Due Sunday, October 4th by 11:59 PM)
10/5 None Final Honor Capstone Project Work Session Continue working on Final Honor Capstone Project
10/12 None Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork Mission
Overview of the My Financial Game Plan (MFGP) Badge assignment.
Introduction of Peer Coach
Schedule MFGP badge meeting with Peer Coach
10/19 None Schedule and attend peer coach meeting. Schedule MFGP badge meeting with Peer Coach
10/26 None Schedule and attend peer coach meeting. My Financial Game Plan Badge (Due Sunday, November 1st by 11:59 PM)
11/2 None Review community engagement resources on campus.
Overview of Honors Pillar Reflection 3: Community Engagement.
Honors Pillar Reflection 3: Community Engagement (Due Sunday, November 8th by 11:59 PM)
11/9 None Introduce Time Capsule Assignment Begin working on Time Capsule Assignment
11/16 None Continue working on Time Capsule Assignment Time Capsule Assignment (Due Sunday, November 22nd by 11:59 PM)
11/23 No Class
11/30 None Review of rubric for Final Honors Capstone Project. Final Honors Capstone Project (Due Friday, December 4th by 11:59 PM)
Bonus Professional Headshot (Due Friday, December 4th by 11:59 PM)
12/7 No Class

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.