The St. Mary’s Project (SMP) is a year-long, 8-credit, capstone of study at St. Mary’s. SMPs are an independently designed and executed course of study. Working in close conjunction with one or more professors, in or outside of the department, students have the opportunity to explore, in depth, a question or idea that entrances and intrigues them. An SMP may take the form of a research paper or a creative expression of the arts. It may include collaborative work and build upon components of internships, study-abroad programs, and other experimental formats, as well as traditional research skills.
Sociology SMPs
A Sociology SMP is an eight credit, independent, sustained endeavor of research or creative expression that is supervised by a faculty mentor and presented in a public forum. It allows you to explore the broad subject of sociology and then focus on one topic that most interests you. Members of the sociology faculty are committed to mentoring you in the development of your own ideas in the initiation and realization of the SMP. Many students have had their SMPs published or presented them at professional conferences.
Highlighted SMP Renee ’09 chose to study abroad with one of St. Mary’s signature program in The Gambia. Her work and experience are the premise for her SMP. Her SMP is a demographic profile/population study of the Gambia along with a education study to examine the relationship between education and development in the Gambia. Learn more about St. Mary’s Projects St. Mary’s Projects Exhibitions.