Capstone course
A capstone course, also known as a synthesis and capstone project or senior synthesis, is a project that serves as the culminating and usually integrative praxis experience of an educational program mostly found in American-style pedagogy. In the Commonwealth of Nations, Bologna Process, and in other parts of the world influenced by their education systems, a senior thesis (thesis) is usually a culmination of an educational program but is much more theoretical and academia-oriented.[1]
Nature and structure
[edit]A capstone course is usually designed as a hands-on project, an extended essay, a research paper, or another form of applied work. This work is often submitted as a requirement for a degree or professional qualification and is typically written in a professional writing format rather than the more traditional academic writing style. The goal is to present findings from the perspective of a professional in the field, rather than that of a student or academic researcher.[1][2]
Capstone awards and recognition
[edit]Some universities and colleges award a Capstone Award[3][4] or Capstone Prize[5] based on merit in the capstone course.
Etymology and historical development
[edit]The term derives from the final decorative coping or "cap-stone" used to complete a building or monument. In higher education, the term has been in common use in the United States since the mid-twentieth century, although there is evidence that it was in use as early as the late 1800s.[6] It has gradually been gaining currency in other countries, particularly where attention has focused on student outcomes and employability in undergraduate studies.[7] National grant projects in Australia[8][9][10] and the U.K. have further raised the profile of the capstone experience.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Marcus Ford; Marcus Peter Ford (2006). Beyond the Modern University: Toward a Constructive Postmodern University. IAP. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-59311-405-3.
- ↑ "Capstone projects as opportunities for real-life applications". University of Washington. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ↑ "General Studies". Capstone Awards. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ↑ "Capstone Award Winners". University of Washington. Information School. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ↑ "Capstone Project Best Design Prize". University of Technology Sydney. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ↑ Hauhart, R.; Grahe, J. (2015). Designing and teaching undergraduate capstone courses. San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
- ↑ "Capstone Project Definition: What is Capstone". CapstoneWriting.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020.
- ↑ "Business Capstones". businesscapstones.edu. Australia. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016.
- ↑ Kift, Professor Sally (2013). Curriculum renewal in legal education: Capstone experiences in law. Australia. ISBN 9781921916670.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ "Capstones across disciplines and the capstone network". Capstone Curriculum.
- ↑ "Rethinking final-year projects and dissertations: Creative honours and capstone projects". heacademy.ac.uk. U.K.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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