General Curriculum

Perspectives

The University of Chicago is famous for its tradition of interdisciplinary education in the social sciences. Our core course exemplifies this tradition at the graduate level. Perspectives in Social Science Analysis provides all students with the fundamental vocabularies and historical understandings they will need to function as graduate students in the Division of the Social Sciences.

The course presents the social sciences as research perspectives. Each perspective is explored through:

• Foundational and contemporary theory and research
• Intensive seminar discussions
• Assignments leading students through the process of formulating their own social scientific research projects

Whatever the student’s specialized field of research or theoretical commitments, the course offers a powerful way of reading social science texts to shape their development not only as a consumer of knowledge, but a producer. 

Students take Perspectives with the MAPSS instructor who serves as their preceptor. The core course is where students get to know the members of their preceptor section, before they transition to more individualized programs of study.

Graduate-level methods and electives

The methods requirement can be met through more than 100 options at the University of Chicago, including many courses offered specifically by MAPSS faculty. In rare cases, students may petition to have a prior graduate course satisfy our requirements and take another graduate course in its place. We advise against this, however, as the methods course is an important cornerstone of our program and successful completion of the course will likely have a positive impact on future PhD or professional applications.

Though MAPSS students most often enroll in courses offered through the Division of the Social Sciences, many pursue coursework across the University of Chicago, including through the Division of the Humanities; the Harris School of Public Policy; the Divinity School; the Crown School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice; the Chicago Booth School of Business; and the Law School. The only caveat is that students must meet the formal or informal prerequisites established by the course instructor, and the course must be open to students outside the offering school or division. Students must discuss their choices with their preceptor.

Research Requirement 

All MAPSS students complete a substantial research project that is the centerpiece of their MAPSS year. Students can choose between a thesis and a capstone.

The M.A. Thesis

The M.A. thesis is an article-length piece of research and writing, modeled on an academic journal article for the discipline in which the student chooses to specialize, with the aim of advancing a scholarly conversation in the student’s field.

This option is designed for students who are interested in completing an entirely independent project, based on original research, under the supervision of a primary reader.

The primary reader is a member of the Social Science Division faculty or any other person with a doctorate and an appointment at the University whom students can interest in their project. MAPSS preceptors serve as second readers.

Thesis students begin developing their project in the Autumn Quarter. They complete their research in the Winter Quarter and write the paper in the Spring. 

Students in the Quantitative Methods and Social Analysis concentration or in the Education and Society certificate program must complete a thesis. 

BA/MA students may need to complete a thesis to meet their undergraduate requirements.

The M.A. Capstone

The M.A. capstone is a paper or project completed in a course and expanded into a more rigorous and polished product the following quarter according to the requirements specified by the preceptor. 

This option is designed for students who wish to build upon and refine research begun in one of their courses. It is an expansive option that allows for a wide variety of endeavors, from empirical research to statistical analyses to applied projects that can be shared with employers.

For those who go on to positions outside the academy, the thesis or capstone is an important part of your resume, showcasing your graduate-level research skills, methods training, and professional writing.

For those who apply to PhD programs after MAPSS, the thesis or capstone is the writing sample that demonstrates your ability to develop and execute graduate-level research. 

MAPSS supports both thesis and capstone students in their applications to PhD programs after graduation. Students who plan to apply should speak with their preceptor about how to make the choice between a thesis and a capstone.

Students with questions about program requirements and milestones should contact Dom Williams (williamsd@uchicago.edu), MAPSS Student Affairs Administrator. 

More information about academic requirements is available in our curricular policy.