Capstone Information
MESA 393 (3 credits) is an independent, supervised study taken during the winter term of senior year. The course culminates in a major research paper on a topic proposed by the student and approved by the Program Director and supervising faculty member. Whether MESA 393 is offered during a given academic year will depend on faculty availability and will be determined during the winter term of the preceding academic year. During years when MESA 393 is not offered, 91传媒 will complete an additional 3- or 4-credit course under the “Further courses” requirement, for a total of three “further courses” rather than two.
Guidelines
- Register for MESA 393 during winter registration of senior year.
- Identify a MESA faculty member to advise your capstone project. (Note that faculty members typically only advise one capstone project at a time, so it’s best to reach out to faculty early.)
- In consultation with your faculty advisor, identify your main research topic / question(s) and create a calendar of due dates for this semester-long writing project.
- Meet with the MESA program head roughly midway through winter term to discuss progress.
- Send final capstone paper to both your advisor and MESA program head.
- At the end of winter term, present your capstone work to MESA peers, faculty, and others. Fifteen- to twenty-minute presentations should cover your research question(s), methodology, and findings.
Format
- Roughly 10,000 words
- Clearly stated thesis statement or argument noted at the beginning & supported throughout the paper
- Section on contribution/state of the field
- Follow conventions of discipline in which you are working
Program Info
Faculty Advisors
We have a number of faculty who may be able to work with you on your project.
Aliaa Bassiouny
Lawrence Term Professor of Finance
Bassiouny鈥檚 teaching portfolio includes courses in managerial finance, investments, portfolio management, international finance, valuation and financial modeling. Her research interests include investments and empirical market microstructure with a focus on emerging markets.
Niels-Hugo (Hugo) Blunch
Darrold and Kay Cannan Term Professor of Economics
- P: 540-458-8619
- E: blunchn@wlu.edu
Blunch teaches econometrics and health economics, and also takes 91传媒 to Ghana for study abroad. His research pertains to health, education and labor market issues. Previously, Blunch worked with the World Bank and the United Nations.
Seth Cantey
Lewis G. John Term Professor of Politics; MESA Program Head
- P: 540-458-8019
- E: canteys@wlu.edu
Cantey teaches courses on global politics, Middle Eastern politics, intelligence, terrorism and foreign policy. His commentary on current events has been picked up by various media outlets, such as USA Today and the Huffington Post.
Anthony (Antoine) Edwards
Associate Professor of Arabic
- P: 540-458-8396
- E: edwardsa@wlu.edu
Edwards teaches courses in Arabic at all levels as well as a course on the Arab world through film. His research centers around Arabic language and grammar as well as the histories and ideologies of Arabic.
Emily Filler
Assistant Professor of Religion
- P: 540-458-8788
- E: efiller@wlu.edu
Filler teaches The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and Topics in American Judaism. Her research focuses on modern Jewish and continental philosophy, political and ethical theory, and classical Jewish texts.
Stuart Gray
Associate Professor of Politics
- P: 540-458-5879
- E: grays@wlu.edu
Gray teaches numerous courses on political philosophy, Gandhi and Greek/Indian political theory. His research focuses on the history of political thought, global comparative political theory and South Asian political thought.
Timothy Lubin
Jessie Ball DuPont Professor of Religion
On Sabbatical 2025-2026
- P: 540-458-8146
- E: lubint@wlu.edu
Professor Lubin teaches courses on Asian religions and comparative study of religion and law. He researches Hindu religious history, law in ancient Asia, and texts and inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Old Javanese and Old Tamil.
Shikha Silwal
Professor of Economics
- P: 540-458-8256
- E: silwals@wlu.edu
Silwal teaches courses such as The Economics of War and Peace, and Culture and Economic Development. She also co-teaches a study abroad course in Nepal. Silwal researches conflict and peace studies with a focus on South Asia.