Oral Exams

Senior oral examinations take place during April and early May of the senior year (or November and early December, for off-cycle seniors). Each student completes two oral exams: 1) the general exam, and 2) the thesis defense. Each piece lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Starting in spring 2027, the two pieces will be split up and conducted separately.

First, in early or mid-April, each student takes their general exam. Shortly before the general exam, they will submit a 1000-word intellectual autobiography reflecting on their coursework in Social Studies with special emphasis on key texts and questions covered in the focus field. A successful intellectual autobiography will describe the intellectual path the student has taken, starting with the themes covered in Social Studies 10 and making reference to courses from the student’s focus field. The general examination is a test of the student’s ability to demonstrate knowledge of the social theoretical concerns of Social Studies 10. The exam focuses on thinkers and themes from the yearlong course. As a starting point for the exam, students select three thinkers and three themes which they prepare to discuss. The exam may focus on the thinkers and themes of the student’s choice, but also may involve any other topics or texts from Social Studies 10. A successful exam is one in which the student can fluently discuss thinkers in comparison to one another and explain connections between the relevant concepts.

Second, in the thesis defense later in April or early May, the student is expected to discuss, defend, and elaborate on the substantive themes developed in their thesis. The two thesis readers will grade and provide written feedback at least a week in advance of the scheduled defense, which they will conduct. In addition to careful consideration of the strengths and shortcomings of the thesis, the defense requires an understanding of and an oral response to the written comments and criticisms of the evaluators.

Students should discuss the exams, and their preparation for them, with their senior thesis supervisor and/or Social Studies academic advisor. The Director of Studies is responsible for overseeing the senior oral examinations, and questions may also be addressed to him.