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Apr 16, 2024

Everything About Capstone Projects: An In-Depth Guide

Think of your academic journey as a thrilling mountain climb. The capstone project marks the exhilarating, and sometimes daunting, summit. This culminating assignment is a staple in many degree programs, providing students with a unique opportunity to synthesize their learning, apply their skills to real-world challenges, and showcase their readiness for the professional world.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll get into the ins and outs of capstone projects, exploring their purpose, various forms, and the steps involved in bringing yours to successful completion.

The Purpose and Value of Capstone Projects

Capstone projects are much more than a final assignment. In a way, they bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. At their core, capstone projects are designed to:

Synthesize Learning: They force students to draw upon and integrate the wide range of knowledge and skills accumulated throughout their entire academic program. This requires a level of reflection and critical analysis that promotes deeper understanding.

Apply Knowledge: Capstones are where theory becomes practice. Students take concepts learned in the classroom and grapple with how to implement them, address unexpected challenges, and refine their solutions in actual, or realistically simulated, situations.

Develop Essential Skills: Capstone projects foster a wide array of transferable skills that translate directly to success in all professions. These include problem-solving, critical thinking, research, project management, and effective communication.

Prepare for the Future: Whether a student is aiming for the workforce or further education, a capstone project gives them tangible experience to showcase to potential employers or admissions committees. It serves as evidence of their readiness to step into more complex and demanding roles.

Types of Capstone Projects

Capstone projects come in various forms, offering students the ability to choose an approach that best suits their interests and career aspirations. Here's a look at some common types:

Research Papers: Demonstrate deep understanding through focused investigation of a specific topic. Students research, analyze data, and draw defensible conclusions.

Case Studies: Involve applying theoretical knowledge to analyze actual real-world scenarios, dissecting decisions made, their outcomes, and lessons applicable to other situations.

Creative Works: Offer a space for expressing innovation, talent, and technical skills Unique to fields like art, design, music, or writing, they might result in a portfolio, performance, or original piece.

Internships: Provide hands-on experience in a professional setting, directly applying coursework to real challenges. This gives students an inside look into their potential career field.

Field Placement Projects: Involve working with industry or community partners, contributing to projects with real-life impact, and often focusing on problem-solving within a specific organization.

Research Papers

Research papers as a capstone project offer a classic way of demonstrating mastery of a field of study. They allow students to:

Choose a Focused Topic: Students hone in on a specific question or problem within their field, demonstrating their ability to identify and explore an area of interest.

Conduct Thorough Research: Students must navigate academic resources, including peer-reviewed articles, primary sources, and data sets. This shows their ability to find and evaluate reliable information.

Synthesize & Analyze: Capstone-level research isn't just about summarizing what others have said. Students need to analyze findings critically, draw their own conclusions, and present a defensible argument.

Master Formal Writing: Research papers require adherence to academic writing standards, including proper citation and strong thesis development.

Case Studies

Case studies empower students to connect classroom theories to real situations that professionals would face. They provide opportunities to:

Apply Theoretical Frameworks: Students use models and concepts learned in their coursework to analyze a specific case, demonstrating their understanding of how those theories work in practice.

Dissect Decision-Making: By dissecting the choices made within a case study, students learn to weigh the pros and cons of different approaches and critically assess the outcomes that those decisions generate.

Form Actionable Insights: The true value of a case study lies in identifying what lessons can be applied more broadly. Students learn to recognize patterns, potential pitfalls, and strategies that can be used in other situations.

Creative Works

When capstones take a creative form, students tap into their originality and technical skills. These projects often involve:

Conceptualization: Developing a unique idea, artistic vision, or original piece requires a student to think beyond what's been done previously, pushing them to innovate.

Technical Execution: The project must still demonstrate mastery of the chosen medium – whether that's painting, composition, filmmaking, or something else entirely.

Reflective Presentation: Often, creative works are accompanied by a written component or presentation where the student articulates their process, influences, and the conceptual significance of their creation.

Internships

Internships immerse students in the world of work directly related to their studies. They offer the chance to:

Gain Professional Experience: Students work on real-world projects, contributing to ongoing initiatives within established organizations.

Put Theory into Practice: Interns grapple with applying the concepts they've learned to the tasks and challenges faced by a specific company or organization.

Build a Network: Interactions with colleagues and mentors within their field can open doors to future job opportunities.

Develop Workplace Skills: Interns practice time-management, communication in a professional context, and collaborating with a team, which are essential for success in most careers.

Field Placement Projects

Field placements connect students with community partners, bringing a real-world immediacy to their capstone experience. These projects might involve:

Collaboration: Students work directly with a company, non-profit, or government agency, gaining insights into its goals, needs, and constraints.

Problem-Solving: Field projects often focus on addressing a specific challenge or contributing to the betterment of the partner organization.

Impact: Students can see a tangible result of their work, making the experience feel more meaningful than a theoretical assignment.

Adaptability: Working within an existing organization requires students to adapt to its structure and culture, honing their flexibility and communication skills.

Does completing a capstone project significantly enhance job market readiness?

Yes. Capstone projects bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with in-demand skills that employers value highly. The experience of tackling a substantial project demonstrates initiative, problem-solving abilities, time management, and clear communication – all of which translate to success in the workplace.

Selecting a Capstone Project Topic

Choosing a capstone project topic is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your academic experience. It's a chance to align your effort with both your passions and long-term goals. Here's how to find the perfect fit:

Start with "What is a capstone project?" Understanding the broader meaning and purpose of this experience helps narrow your scope. A capstone project should push you to synthesize knowledge and skills from your education and apply those in a meaningful way toward professional growth.

Self-Reflection: What are your genuine interests within your field? What problems or issues do you find most intriguing? Don't be afraid to explore beyond your most recent coursework – sometimes the best ideas stem from earlier sparks of curiosity.

Career Aspirations: Where do you envision yourself after graduation? What kinds of problems would you like to solve in your chosen profession? Choosing a topic relevant to that vision gives you hands-on experience that will be invaluable.

Topic Relevance to Career Goals

While not always mandatory, it's beneficial to select a capstone project topic that speaks to your career goals. Here's why:

Building a Relevant Portfolio: Your capstone project becomes a major work sample when applying for jobs or further education. It demonstrates your competency and active interest in specific areas of your field.

Direct Experience: Working on a project tied to your career goals gives you a taste of the kinds of challenges and tasks you might encounter later. This is much more impactful than simply reading about such problems in textbooks.

Networking Opportunities: Depending on your project type, you might interact with professionals or organizations directly in your desired field. This helps build connections and could even lead to job leads.

Research and Preparation

Once you have a general focus, it's time to refine your topic:

Preliminary Research: Read up on your chosen area to see what kinds of questions are currently being explored. Identify what intrigues you the most, and what gaps in the research you might be able to address.

Gather Resources: Talk to professors or mentors in your field. They can offer guidance on finding valuable texts, articles, and data sets relevant to your topic.

Narrow Focus: A successful capstone topic is focused enough to be tackled in depth within the given timeframe. Resist trying to address everything about a broad subject.

Is it critical to choose a capstone project topic related to one's career goals?

Though not strictly required, it's highly advantageous to choose a career-focused capstone project. The experience gained becomes relevant, immediately applicable to your professional development, and helps you stand out to future employers or graduate school admissions panels.

Integrating Capstone Projects with Other Academic Work

Capstone projects aren't isolated endeavors. They serve as a culmination of your academic journey , drawing upon and enriching your understanding of the knowledge gained through previous coursework. Let's explore these connections:

From Research Papers to Capstone Projects

Research papers and capstone projects both heavily rely on your research and analysis skills. However, they differ in their ultimate goals:

Research Papers: These hone your ability to research a specific topic, analyze existing literature, and present a well-supported argument. The focus is on understanding and critically evaluating established knowledge.

Capstone Projects: While research remains imperative, capstone projects move beyond pure analysis. Here, you apply the theoretical frameworks learned in research papers to tackle a real-world problem or create something innovative.

Linking Dissertations and Capstone Projects

Capstone projects share a deeper connection with dissertations , although the scale and scope are different:

Dissertations: These in-depth, original research projects are the cornerstone of doctoral programs. They involve extensive research, data collection, and analysis, culminating in a significant contribution to existing knowledge.

Capstone Projects: While not expected to redefine a field, capstone projects showcase your ability to conduct thorough research and apply it to address specific problems or opportunities within your chosen discipline. They provide a taste of the research rigor expected in graduate studies.

Capstone Projects vs. Term Papers

Term papers serve as building blocks for your capstone project, but they differ in scope and depth:

Term Papers: These typically focus on a specific aspect of a broader field, allowing you to explore a chosen topic and develop your research and writing skills. The research conducted for a term paper can form the foundation for a more comprehensive capstone project.

Capstone Projects: More comprehensive and demanding, capstone projects require a deeper dive into a topic. They involve applying knowledge from multiple courses, conducting original research if applicable, and potentially creating a tangible outcome.

Can Capstone Projects Incorporate Elements from Previous Academic Papers Effectively?

Absolutely! In fact, integrating elements from previous academic work significantly enriches your capstone project:

Provides Depth and Continuity: Prior research becomes the foundation for your capstone project, demonstrating the evolution of your understanding. This continuity strengthens your overall argument.

Highlights Skill Development: By showcasing how you've built upon prior research methods and analysis, you demonstrate a progression in your research and critical thinking skills.

Offers a Stronger Foundation: Previous papers can serve as springboards for more focused research questions within your capstone project.

By weaving together the knowledge gained throughout your academic journey, a capstone project becomes a powerful testament to your intellectual growth and your ability to apply knowledge meaningfully.

Writing and Presentation Techniques

The way you communicate your capstone project can be as important as the project itself. Here's how to nail both the write-up and the presentation:

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

Your introduction sets the tone for the entire project. Aim to capture your audience's attention and clearly convey the significance of your work right from the start. Here are a few techniques:

The Hook: Begin with a compelling fact, a provocative question, a relevant anecdote, or a quote that directly relates to your topic.

Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the specific issue, challenge, or opportunity your capstone project addresses.

Significance: Succinctly explain why this project matters. Highlight the potential impact of your research, the innovative nature of your creative work, or the tangible benefits of your practical experience.

Thesis Statement: If applicable, offer a concise and clear statement that summarizes your main argument or the central outcome of your project.

Developing a Coherent Structure

Whether presenting your work in writing or orally, a logical structure ensures your audience can easily follow your thought process and findings:

Written Reports: Follow standard academic formatting guidelines (if applicable). Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your ideas into logical sections. Consider a typical structure like:

Introduction

Literature Review (if applicable)

Methodology

Results/Findings

Analysis/Discussion

Presentations:

Create a slide deck with clear visuals and concise talking points.

Practice your presentation to ensure a smooth, logical flow of ideas.

Maintain a clear distinction between the background information, your unique contribution, and the implications of your findings.

Additional Tips for Writing and Presentations

Know Your Audience: Are you presenting to professors within your field, potential employers, or a general audience? Tailor your language and presentation style accordingly.

Visual Aids: Pictures, graphs, charts, or other visual elements can enhance understanding and make your work more engaging.

Proofread Meticulously: Spelling and grammar errors reflect poorly on your attention to detail. Have someone else proofread your final draft before submission.

Practice and Prepare: For presentations, practice thoroughly, ensuring your timing is on point and you're comfortable answering potential questions.

Conclusion and Reflection

Your capstone project conclusion isn't just about restating what you already said. It's your chance to synthesize your journey and leave a lasting impression. Consider these elements:

Reiterate Key Findings: Concisely re-emphasize the most significant outcomes, discoveries, or insights gained from your capstone project. Be sure to connect them back to your original research questions or your project's main purpose.

Reflect on Growth: What did you learn about yourself as a learner and thinker through this process? What skills did you develop or strengthen? This personal reflection gives your conclusion depth.

Discuss Limitations Even the best projects have areas where constraints or unforeseen issues arose. Briefly acknowledging these shows your self-awareness and provides context for your findings.

Future Directions: If applicable, suggest possible avenues for further research inspired by your work. Or, discuss potential applications of your findings in a broader context.

Engaging with Your Audience

To make your capstone project truly memorable, go beyond just presenting information and focus on connecting with your audience:

Relevance: Explicitly explain why your project should matter to the people reading or viewing your work. What real-world problems does your research address? How does your creative work expand perspectives? What actionable skills did you gain from a practical capstone experience?

Storytelling: When appropriate, weave in anecdotes or examples that illustrate your process, the challenges you overcame, or how your findings illuminate a human element. Storytelling helps audiences connect with your project on an emotional level.

Call to Action: If relevant, don't be afraid to ask something of your audience. This could be a call for further investigation, a change in perspective, or action to be taken towards a problem your project explored.

Q&A: Leave ample time for questions and discussion, both in written and presentation formats. This demonstrates your willingness to engage further and shows that you consider your project an ongoing intellectual dialogue.

Revising and Finalizing Your Project

The revision stage is where your capstone project truly takes its final form. It's tempting to rush through this part, but putting in the time to carefully revise and polish will elevate your work significantly.

Give it Some Space: Step away from your project for a few days if time allows. Returning to it with fresh eyes will help you spot errors and areas in need of improvement.

Revisit Project Objectives: Go back to the original goals and requirements. Does your current draft fully address them? Are there any aspects that could be further developed?

Check for Cohesiveness: Ensure the flow of your work is logical, with clear transitions between sections. Pay attention to both the overall project structure and how smaller sections or paragraphs link together.

Scrutinize Details: Meticulously proofread for typos, grammatical errors, and proper formatting. Make sure citations are complete and accurate.

Addressing Feedback

Seeking feedback is crucial for ensuring your work meets expectations and makes a strong impact. Here's how to approach it:

Trusted Sources: Get feedback from professors, mentors, peers with strong academic skills, or even professionals in your field, if applicable. Diverse perspectives are invaluable.

Open-Mindedness: Embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity to improve. Don't get defensive – feedback is there to help you grow, not to attack your work.

Careful Integration: Not all feedback needs to be incorporated blindly. Consider each suggestion carefully and decide if and how it will truly strengthen your project.

Is peer review an essential step in the revision process of capstone projects?

Yes! Peer review offers several distinct advantages:

Fresh Perspective: Peers can often spot inconsistencies or issues that you might be too close to the work to see.

Identifying Confusion: Areas that may be clear to you could be confusing to a reader encountering your topic for the first time. Peers can point out where more explanation or clarity is needed.

Exposure to Different Styles: Seeing how your peers organize their projects and communicate their findings can offer fresh ideas for improving your own presentation.

Practicing Constructive Feedback: Learning to both give and receive constructive feedback is a key skill in most professional settings. Peer review offers a safe space to hone this skill.

Navigating the Capstone Project Journey

The capstone project is a transformative experience that bridges the gap between classroom learning and the exciting challenges you'll face as a professional in your chosen field. From selecting a topic that aligns with your passions and goals to carefully integrating the diverse skills you've cultivated throughout your education, this project empowers you to make a meaningful contribution.

While the capstone journey may require significant effort and dedication, the rewards are undeniable. Not only will you gain valuable experience and produce a work sample that showcases your potential, but you'll also emerge from this experience with the enhanced confidence to tackle the complex problems that await you in your future career.

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Capstone showcase award winners autumn 2022.

The Capstone Showcase is an exhibition-style event featuring final year undergraduates and some first year undergraduates showcasing their projects and innovation to a diverse audience, including industry representatives, students and UTS community members.

Chloe Mallinson : Alan Chappel Engineering Innovation Award

Project Objective: Design, Optimisation And Build of an Automated Orthosis Testing System

Stephanie Weiss : Aurecon Judges' Choice Award

Project Objective: Personalised Medicine in Breast Cancer: Towards Emerging The Next Generation of Breast Prostheses

Joshua Mendez : John Holland People's Choice Award

Project Objective: Remote Guided Robotics via Leap Motion and Mixed Reality

Connor Barkley : Bechtel Best Poster Award

Project Objective: Exploratory fatigue-based study of human state modelling to increase the safety and reliability of human-autonomous teaming

Capstone Industry Sponsors: 

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

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Undergraduate Capstone Projects

In their senior year in the English program, our majors participate in ENGL 467, our capstone seminar. Under the guidance of a professor, they embark on an extensive research project, presenting their findings in a public forum at the semester's conclusion. These research endeavors, spanning diverse subjects, allow students to delve deeply into a topic of their choosing over the entire semester.

Our professors actively support and oversee the students throughout their research journey.

Kurt Eggers, BA in English 2017

In fall 2016, Kurt completed his capstone project, "Fargo's Cosplay Community: A Quasi-Ethnographic Study," under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Birmingham. It consisted of an ethnographic study of cosplayers in North Dakota and included a short documentary on Lenny Grindler, a hobbyist who builds electric, life-size models of Dr. Who Dalek on his farm in Valley City, North Dakota.

Kurt is now an MA student in the Department of English at NDSU, where he teaches first-year composition classes. His degree work pursues a similar line of inquiry. Titled "Technocracy and How Star Trek Created the Nerd Billionaire,"his master's thesis focuses on a largely post-marxist analysis of  Star Trek . He argues that while Star Trek consistently and purposefully distances itself from capitalism as an economic system, promoting instead a federation of planets and species, it maintains the social and hierarchical ideology of capitalism to such an extent that it has had a demonstrable impact on real life politics and arguable facilitated the nascence of "nerd billionaires" like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. Abstract: This article and video accompaniment present an ethnographic look into the cosplay community of North Dakota. It analyzes scholarly work regarding cosplay in the context of fan studies and brings the discussion to our region through interviews with cosplayers in both sci-fi conventions and charitable work through Star Wars fan organizations. The data gained through the interviews shows common motivations of cosplayers in North Dakota and what they find enjoyable or fulfilling about cosplay. The research has a particular focus on why and how participants choose a particular character to cosplay as, what they find appealing about that character or the property it is from, and how it relates to their own personal identity. The interviews also analyze the specific artistic methods used to craft the costumes in order to exemplify the wide breadth of artistic media that can be applied to cosplay and how that feature contributes to the community’s inclusiveness. This data shows various motivations ranging from friendship, family, creative expression, and charity. Consequently, the interviews show how artistic expression can lead to social community.

Samantha Krause-Maza, B.A. in English, Fall 2017

Samantha completed her capstone project, "“Paper Indians” and “Indian Printers”: Presswork at the First Indian Industrial School" in Spring 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Gordon Fraser. She says that the capstone project at NDSU helped her become familiar with how to conduct archival research. She says tt helped set her on a path working with object studies and book histories. Sam is currently a first year PhD student at the University of Chicago. she hopes to focus on Early American Indigenous Studies with Dr. Edgar Garcia.

Abstract: "In Indigenous studies, the voices we seek to hear from often had little to no opportunities to write, their writings were lost, or their writings were closely monitored and governed. Such is the case with many students attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in the late 1800s. Scholars such as Jacqueline Fear-Segal have closely evaluated Carlisle’s newspapers, such as The Indian Helper, and found “Paper Indians” or non-Native American faculty posing as Indian students in published texts. The Indian Helper has a record of Indian student workers, known as the “Indian Printers”, through a photograph for the 1888-1889 school year. The Indian Printers were able to mark their presence at the school in the physical labor (type setting, printing, etc.) for the newspaper, if not in their own writing. Yet none of them continued on in that profession, nearly all of them pursuing a career in farming instead. The press work, their labor, of the Indian Printers can be read in a way similar to a text, giving us evidence of existence from a group of students for whom agency was complicated."

Rachel Heuer, B.S. in English, Fall 2017

Rachel Heuer completed her capstone project, "Crooked Hillary or Praised Politician? Women in Politics Are Still Facing the Double Bind" in Fall 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Mary McCall. After graduating, she worked as an Immigration Field Representative. She writes that the focus of her capstone project did not stop after she handed it in. Through her work with Sen. Heitkamp, she has found that the gender bias in politics is still alive and well and hopes to one day see a change in that area.

Abstract: "The aim of this project is to show how women are still facing the double bind in politics, meaning they are being treated differently than male politicians. Hillary Clinton faced gender discrimination during not only the 2016 Presidential Election but during the 2008 Primary Election, as well. During the 2008 Primaries she was scrutinized on how she looked and how she presented herself and in the 2016 Election, she was portrayed in the media as being untrustworthy and constantly told to be “locked up”. The double bind is present in these two events because if Clinton was a male and had done the same political moves in the 2016 Election, she would have been praised and ultimately would have been more likely to have won. If she was seen in a sexual light, the way President Obama was portrayed in 2008, instead of being scrutinized by her cleavage, there could have been a different outcome. By conducting research on these two primary events in Hillary Clinton’s political career, the double bind theory is still alive and well in politics today. Women in politics have yet to break the glass ceiling."

Kaitlyn Grube, B.A. in English, Spring 2018

Kaitlyn completed her project, "Bibliotherapy in the Classroom: Using Literature in Conjunction with Bibliotherapy Techniques to Educate Secondary Students on Suicide" in Fall 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Kelly Sassi. She is currently an MA student in English and NDSU focusing on studying the appropriation of female pain in politics when using the witch hunt rhetoric.

Abstract: This research essay studies the application of bibliotherapy techniques and psychological fact to educate secondary students on suicidal behavior. Applying bibliotherapy techniques to secondary classrooms introduces the information students need to recognize suicidal behavior in themselves and others while also providing the necessary resources to report instances of suicidal behavior. I use the novel My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga as an example of a contemporary young adult novel that is conducive to bibliotherapy techniques. The results of assignments done by students in the classroom allows secondary instructors to address any inconsistencies students perceive from the text. Applying bibliotherapy techniques to secondary classroom literature pedagogy promotes knowledge and awareness of suicidal behavior, potentially reducing the number of adolescents who commit suicide.

Emily Driscoll, B.A. in English, Spring 2018

Emily completed her capstone project, "Racist Discourse and Immigration: Midwestern White Supremacy in the 21st Century" in Fall 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Arnold. She currently works as a general assignment and public assignment reporter at the Fargo Forum. In her work, she has had the opportunity to interview U.S. Senators, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Kevin Cramer. Emily writes that her capstone project is what led her to pursue reporting. Her advice to future capstone students is to choose a topic that is profoundly interesting to you.

Abstract: A group known as the Alternative Right, which emerged in 2010, openly expresses, celebrates, and rallies for the preservation and admiration of white people of European descent as well as the physical and cultural exclusion of other races. Today, there are rallies staged by pro-white activists, like Peter Tefft of Fargo, with hopes to start a “new Roman empire” for whites only. This type of racist rhetoric has been preserved from centuries ago, and continues to normalize racial oppression. As refugee populations grow throughout North Dakota and Minnesota, there is also an upsurge in white nationalism, racism, and hate crime that is nearly parallel to the growing number of new Americans. I have created a journalistic expose of personal encounters with white supremacists and related events that occurred in the Midwest in the past five years and will include filmed interviews and video documentation of groups trying to fight back. I suggest that the Midwest is a festering hotbed of racism because of the demographic circumstances, the current political atmosphere, and racist rhetoric this movement promotes.

Sydney Augusta Dale, B.S. in English, Spring 2018

Sydney completed her capstone project, "An Examination of Self-Diagnosis in Online Autism Spectrum Communities" in Fall 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Kenzie. She currently works in Fargo at the North Dakota Autism Center as a Registered Behavior Technician. She works with kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder in order to help modify behavior to them communicate functionally. She writes "I never would've imagined this would be my life half a year after graduating, but I firmly believe my capstone, and those who mentored me through it, set me on a path to success."

Abstract: "The purpose of this project was to examine the reception of self-diagnosis within an online Autism Spectrum Disorder community through forums. The forum site WrongPlanet is a large online community where individuals can communicate with others on the spectrum. The forums were looked at to examine the reception of self-diagnosis in online communities. Using Laura Foran Lewis’ work of examining the role self-diagnosis plays in online communities, the project examines the way individuals within the community react to others who have self-diagnosed. The threads, “Self-Diagnosed People Here Don’t Have Aspergers” and “Poll: Is self-diagnosis okay/valid/a good thing?”, were used to analyze the reactions within the community to self-diagnosis. The forums were qualitatively coded to analyze the language used in the forums and representation of disability in the forums. Within the forums community topics from the mistrust of medical professionals, the usefulness of a diagnosis, and the meaning of Autism Spectrum Disorder was questioned and explored. With a majority of support for self-diagnosis, this project explores the identity found in online communities."

Rachel Reko, B.A. in English, Spring 2018

Rachel Completed her capstone project, "Writing Your Grief: A Study on the Benefits of Creative Nonfiction" in Fall 2018 under the mentorship of Jamee Larson. She is currently an MA student in English at NDSU, focusing on an exploration of witches of color in postcolonial cultures where white fear of witches altered native perspectives of their own magic and religion.

Abstract: "Much of the popular conversation about grief places it firmly as a linear process to be “worked through” until you achieve acceptance, even as academic research has rejected this notion. Since everyone processes grief differently, it is necessary to create as many tools as possible for the bereaved to have at their disposal. One such method involves the writing of creative nonfiction on the subject of the specific loss and/or lost loved one(s). This project focuses on the creation of nonfiction pieces in relation to grief following the loss of a loved one and argues that the benefits of such an exercise include helping people manage their grief and forming a new kind of bond with their deceased loved one(s). I interviewed three grieving mothers before and after they wrote a creative nonfiction piece about their child, in addition to writing my own creative nonfiction piece about my experience with loss. I found, through analysis of these pieces and the subsequent interviews, that the writing process did help all four research participants, myself included, in vocalizing and accepting our grief."

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20 Best Movies New to Streaming in June: ‘Hit Man,’ ‘Origin,’ ‘I Am: Celine Dion’ and More

Summer movie season is off to a slow start, as Memorial Day weekend hit a three-decade low at the box office. But at least there are some good movies coming to streaming services this month, including Netflix’s “Hit Man,” starring Glen Powell as an undercover cop who pretends to be a professional assassin. The Richard Linklater film will stream June 7, joining other titles coming to Netflix including “Aftersun” with Paul Mescal and “La La Land” starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

Chris Pine’s Los Angeles-set noir “Poolman” is landing on Amazon Prime Video on June 7, too, as well as “Mothers’ Instinct,” starring Anne Hathaway and Julianne Moore as housewives whose lives are shattered after a tragic accident. Sydney Sweeney and Powell’s hit rom-com “Anyone but You” also joins Prime Video on June 21, as well as the new documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” in which the iconic singer navigates her stiff person syndrome diagnosis as she returns to the stage.

On Hulu, watch Oscar nominee “Perfect Days” or Ava DuVernay’s latest film “Origin,” or head over to Apple TV+ to watch Lily Gladstone shine in “Fancy Dance,” which premiered at Sundance ahead of her star turn in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Below, check out a full rundown below of the biggest movies new to streaming in June.

Hit Man (June 7 on Netflix) 

The Glenaissance is here. After earning buzz in major hits like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Anyone but You,” Glen Powell is the main star in Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man.” Inspired by a true story, Powell plays an undercover New Orleans police officer who pretends to be a contract killer in order to arrest his clients. However, his latest case goes awry when he falls for the woman who hired him, played by Adria Arjona. Netflix bought the film out of the Toronto Film Festival for $20 million, and with “Twisters” coming up this summer, Powell’s star continues to grow.

A Family Affair (June 29 on Netflix) 

Just a couple months after Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine stole hearts in Prime Video’s “The Idea of You,” Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman are going at it in Netflix’s “A Family Affair.” Efron plays Chris Cole, an arrogant movie star, who falls for Nicole Kidman’s Brooke Harwood. The catch? Brooke’s daughter Zara (Joey King) is Chris’ assistant. A complicated, steamy love affair follows as Zara is caught between her mother and her annoying boss.

Aftersun (June 21 on Netflix)

Paul Mescal broke into Hollywood and earned his first best actor Oscar nomination with the poignant, coming-of-age film by first-time director Charlotte Wells. He plays a young father on vacation with his 11-year-old daughter, and they both struggle to come to terms with themselves and their place in the world. “For a depressive young dad at a Turkish resort with his pre-teen daughter, the pressure to maximize that time out of reality only draws the reality nearer; Charlotte Wells‘ sensuous, sharply moving debut shows that no amount of pool time and fruity drinks and Macarena dance-alongs can keep either the past or future at bay,” wrote Variety critic Guy Lodge. Check out this emotionally devastating movie before Mescal further blows up in this fall’s “Gladiator II.”

Am I OK? (June 6 on Max) 

Comedian Tig Notaro directs this coming-out story starring Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a woman who realizes she’s a lesbian after all her dates with men fail miserably. “Emotionally, she’s as awkward as a freshman with her first pimple. Lucy has never been in love, never had a real relationship, and never ends her dates with anything more than a handshake,” wrote Variety critic Amy Nicholson. Johnson and co-star Sonoya Mizuno earned positive reviews after the film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and now more people have the chance to check it out.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (June 1 on Netflix) 

Thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery’s new cross-platform deal, some of the movies previously only found on Max are now coming to Netflix, including the most recent entry in the terrifying “Conjuring” universe. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) as they help a young man accused of murder who claims he was possessed by a demon. The real story went down in history as the first time demonic possession was used as a defense. Watch this movie ahead of the upcoming “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” which brings the Warrens’ story to a conclusion.

I.S.S. (June 3 on Paramount+)

Ariana DeBose stars in this outer space thriller that follows two diplomatic crews of scientists aboard the International Space Station who are each ordered to take control of the vessel at all costs. As geopolitical tensions ignite on the surface below, the astronauts, adrift from national identity and their fellow man, quickly begin to unravel. Gabriela Cowperthwaite directs.

Mothers' Instinct (June 7 on Prime Video)

This directorial debut by French cinematographer Benoît Delhomme stars Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway as a pair of housewives whose sisterly bond begins to crack after tragedy strikes their neighborhood. Part melodrama, part noir, the feature promises two transformational roles for its two leads.

Dumb Money (June 10 on Prime Video)

This ripped-from-the-headlines ensemble comedy retells the GameStop meme stock phenomenon that put Wall Street in a noogie during the COVID pandemic — less than three years after it all went down. Paul Dano, America Ferrera, Pete Davidson and many more stars feature as the online investors hoping to pump up the retail brand’s value so they can cash out against the rich suits that bet against the company. Craig Gillespie directs.

La La Land (June 1 on Netflix)

Damien Chazelle’s bittersweet ode to Los Angeles arrived on Netflix June 1. The movie musical starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone won six Oscars, including best director for Chazelle, best actress for Stone, best original score and best original song. It follows struggling artists Seb (Gosling) and Mia (Stone), a jazz musician and actress, who fall in love and must juggle their relationship while chasing their dreams in Hollywood. The film was a hit with critics and audiences, raking in $447 million worldwide. Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman loved the film, calling it in his review “the most audacious big-screen musical in a long time.”

Poolman (June 7 on Prime Video)

Who is Poolman? Why, it’s Darren Barrenman, the L.A aficionado and all-time chiller played by Chris Pine, who is pulled into a web of urban planning conspiracies that endangers the wellness of himself, his friends and his beloved pool. Helmed by Pine in his feature directorial debut and shot in sumptuous 35mm photography, “Poolman” has style and vision. It most closely resembles Pine’s goofball turn as an over-the-hill rocker in Netflix’s comedy series “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.” In a phrase: it has the funny.

I Am: Celine Dion (June 25 on Prime Video)

Celine Dion gets personal documenting her struggles with stiff-person syndrome in this new documentary. Helmed by Irene Taylor, the feature promises an intimate look at the world-famous singer’s recent health troubles and her wishes to return to performing live.

Anyone but You (June 21 on Prime Video)

She’s Sydney Sweeney. He’s Glen Powell. Can it all work out? You’d be surprised how many speed bumps there are in this romantic comedy, which sees the two stars play spurned lovers forced to reunite and play the happy couple to make their exes envious — all of this while everyone absconds to a destination wedding in Australia, which is really asking a lot of people. Will Gluck directs, bringing his signature touch.

The Old Oak (June 24 on Prime Video)

The final feature from esteemed British director Ken Loach, this drama continues the filmmaker’s decades-long project of combining sociological realism and fierce dramatic storytelling. The film follows a pub owner in a mining town struggling to keep his business afloat and the relationship he forms with a Syrian refugee to help steady its operations. Selected to play in competition at the Cannes Film Festival last summer, the feature provides a fitting capstone to Loach’s celebrated career.

Trigger Warning (June 21 on Netflix) 

Jessica Alba makes her return to the big screen in Netflix’s cleverly named “Trigger Warning,” her first film since 2019. She plays a Special Forces commando who takes ownership of her father’s bar after his death, but must contend with the dangerous gang causing trouble in her hometown. In the trailer, Alba shows off some “John Wick”-style action and must get to the bottom of her father’s mysterious death.

Perfect Days (June 6 on Hulu)

Wim Wenders received rave reviews — and an Oscar nomination — for his 2023 drama about a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Sharing its name with a Lou Reed song, “Perfect Days” premiered at Cannes Film Festival, where lead actor Kōji Yakusho won the best actor award. In his review for Variety , Guy Lodge called “Perfect Days” Wenders’ best narrative film in decades, praising its “humane, hopeful embrace of everyday blessings.”

Origin (June 10 on Hulu)

Ava DuVernay’s latest film is an ambitious and untraditional adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s nonfiction book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson herself, the movie follows the author as she travels through Germany, India and the United States, researching the deep-rooted social hierarchies in each country’s history. The film faltered at the box office but wowed critics, including Variety ‘s Peter Debruge, who wrote in his review : “The film will get people thinking and talking. The way DuVernay directs it, ‘Origin’ is a swirling tornado of ideas.”

Tangerine (June 1 on Netflix) 

Right after winning the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or for his latest film “Anora,” director Sean Baker’s acclaimed film “Tangerine” is coming to Netflix. Shot entirely on three iPhones, the film is an exuberantly raw and up-close portrait of one of Los Angeles’ more distinctive sex-trade subcultures,” wrote Variety critic Justin Chang. “Centered around two sharply drawn transgender women who find the resilience of their friendship tested and affirmed over the course of one busy Christmas Eve, writer-director Sean Baker’s sun-scorched, street-level snapshot is a work of rueful, matter-of-fact insight and unapologetically wild humor that draws a motley collection of funny, sad and desperate individuals into its protagonists’ orbit.”

Bread & Roses (June 21 on Apple TV+)

From Sarah Mani, “Bread and Roses” is a documentary that follows the effects of the 2021 Taliban offensive on women living in Afghanistan. As U.S. troops pulled out of the country and the Taliban strengthened its control, women lost the rights to work, go to school past sixth grade and walk unaccompanied. With Jennifer Lawrence boarding the film as a producer, the film premiered at Cannes in 2023 and was bought by Apple. In her review for Variety , Catherine Bray wrote, “This film is a necessary howl of rage, one that argues cogently — via the simple expedient of capturing life as it is lived — that to ignore what it happening in Afghanistan is to condemn half the population of the country to oppression under a dictatorship that is both political and personal.”

Of an Age (June 7 on Peacock)

Australian writer-director Goran Stolevski crafts a whirlwind romance drama in “Of an Age,” which centers on a young man who develops an intimate relationship with the brother of his ballroom dance partner over the course of 24 hours. The disorienting and swoon-worthy pull of first love overflows in Stolevski’s handheld direction, while his script embraces the warmth of finding your person with the heartbreak of not having enough time to make it endure. While the film’s central character learns to embrace his sexuality over the course of the film, Stolevski refuses to let his romance drama become a derivative look at queer self-acceptance. It’s all the more refreshing for that. “Of an Age” is a warm-hearted gem tinged with beautiful melancholy.

Fancy Dance (June 28 on Apple TV+)

Lily Gladstone is best known for her mesmerizing performance as Mollie Kyle in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which earned her an Oscar nomination for best actress. But before that movie premiered in theaters, Gladstone starred alongside Isabel Deroy-Olson in Erica Tremblay’s directorial debut “Fancy Dance,” which bowed at Sundance in 2023. Apple picked up the distribution rights to the film more than a year later, giving it a limited theatrical window on June 21 before it streams on Apple TV+ later in the month. Variety chief film critic Peter Debruge called the film “engaging” and “a rare glimpse into Native culture” that both educates and entertains.

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