A research and seminar course required of all majors that brings together work done across the major, builds upon HIS-334 and includes a senior research project. Students will improve oral and written communication skills through class discussion and formal presentations. They will also make and implement plans for post-graduate education and careers. Each student will also formulate and execute an original research project that will culminate in a paper and an oral presentation. The director of the research project must approve a preliminary research proposal during the semester before the student takes this course. A student who completes the HIS-499 Seminar as a prerequisite may undertake a second elective HIS-499 research project on her own with an individual faculty director without attending the seminar a second time.