Theses

Academic Thesis

You must submit a hard copy and an electronic copy of your essay to the Film Department (film@vassar.edu) as well as follow submission instructions in this handbook.

  1. Ask a faculty member to mentor you. You may work either with the Faculty of the Film Department, or—with the permission of the Chair–faculty from another Vassar department. You must meet with your advisor 2-3 times during the semester before you write your thesis to narrow your focus and compile a bibliography.
  2. For theses written in the Fall semester: an initial draft is due at the end of classes; the final draft is due in the second week of the B semester. Theses written in Spring (B) semester are due during study period.
  3. Theses are given letter grades.
  4. The thesis should be between 40-80 pages in length. Sample theses linked to our web site: Student Work
  5. You should bind your paper with a press-back binder. Only one copy needs to be bound. The title of your project, your name, and the name of your advisor should appear on the outside cover.
  6. Include a title page. A table of contents is optional.
  7. Extensive, thorough research is expected. Include a bibliography citing all books and articles used in your thesis. You do not need a filmography. Use Chicago Manual of Style Endnotes and Bibliography: see Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide
  8. Double-space the text, but single-space and indent 5 spaces on the right and left any lengthy quotations. Quotation marks are not needed for indented quotations.
  9. Margins on all sides, including the bottom, must be at least 1”. Leave a wider margin at the left to allow for binding.
  10. Illustrations, e.g. frame grabs, may be included. They should be labeled and inserted in the written text close to your analysis, not at the end of the chapter.
  11. The department expects that you will give a brief presentation about your thesis at the Projects and Screenings Presentations in May. This can include clips, Powerpoint or Prezi slides, etc.
  12. Please see the Theses Permission Slip at the bottom of this page for further information about how Vassar retains thesis projects.

Screenplay Thesis 

You must submit a hard copy and an electronic copy of your screenplay to the Film Department (film@vassar.edu) as well as follow submission instructions in this handbook.

  1. Ask a faculty member to mentor you. You must meet with your advisor at least 4-5 times during the semester.
  2. You must complete at least 3 rounds of revisions under the guidance of your mentor.
  3. For theses written in the Fall semester, an initial draft is due at least 2 weeks prior to the end of classes; a second draft is due at the end of classes; and the final draft is due the second week of the Spring semester. For theses written in the Spring semester, an initial draft is due 2 weeks prior to the end of classes; a second draft is due at the end of classes; and the final draft is due by the end of the study period.
  4. Theses are given letter grades.
  5. You should bind your paper in the press-back binder (ask in the Film Office, we have a box of extras). Only one copy need be bound. The title of your screenplay, your name, and the name of your advisor should appear on the outside cover. Also include a standard title page to your screenplay.
  6. The format of the screenplay itself must adhere to professional standards and practices laid out at Oscars.org Screenwriting Resources or in The Complete Screenwriter’s Manual (Longman, 2006).
  7. Your screenplay must be preceded by two items:
    1. A Critical Introduction of 5-10 pages in length, contextualizing your script within film history. Elements to consider are, but not limited to, the thematic treatment, historical context, genre designation, and formal structure of your project. For example, if your screenplay is neo-realist, film-noir tale of revenge that inverts gender stereotypes, unpack this intent in your Critical Introduction. Include a bibliography citing all books, articles, and films referenced in your thesis. Use Chicago Manual of Style Endnotes and Bibliography: see Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide
    2. A 5-10 page treatment of your film, i.e. a prose synopsis of your story.
  8. The department expects that you will give a brief presentation about your thesis at the Projects and Screenings Presentations in May.

Click here to view and print the Thesis Release Form.