Thesis Examples from past students:

Example #1
Thesis Statement
One of the greatest patrons of the arts throughout history has been that of
religion. Around every corner of the globe different cultures have had vastly
different religions and deities, but how they worship and honor them can be
strikingly similar. In Europes Gothic period, exquisite churches and
cathedrals were created in order to further serve the Catholic faith. Paris
Notre Dame is one such cathedral that utilizes building techniques and styles
from a variety of times and places, but most notably the Gothic style. The
inclination to build larger, taller, and grander cathedrals, like the Notre Dame
Cathedral, was a competitive nature understood and relished by patrons half
way around the world in India, as expressed through their commissions of
gopuras. While the final touches were being constructed on Notre Dame,
work was just beginning on the Minakshi-Sundareshvara temple in Madurai.
This temple complex was dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, two main deities in
the Hindu faith, while gopuras, or large gateways, were dedicated to the
rulers who commissioned them. Both the Notre Dame and the Temple of
Madurai serve both spiritual purposes as well as representations of the wealth
and power of those that commissioned them.
Outline
I.
II.

III.
IV.

V.
VI.
VII.

VIII.

Introduction: Thesis statement (see above paragraph)

Description of the gothic style in architecture
a. Importance of Abbot Suger and the use of light to show the
divine
b. Description of the use of light in Notre Dame in the stained glass
windows to convey the presence of god
Influence of the Romanesque style in Notre Dame
Description of the importance of the Catholic faith as represented in
Notre Dame
a. Descriptions of works in Notre Dame that convey a Catholic faith
b. Importance of Virgin and Child representations
c. Propaganda in catholic representations in the church
Description of the Temple of Madurai and the relationship of
Hinduism to the structure and design of the temple
Description of the Hindu faith as seen in the temple.
Compare and contrast Notre Dame and Hindu temple - both used
to spread religion and faith as well as create a testament to the
power of the commissioner
a. Importance of scale in each religious building.
Conclusion

Bibliography (In MLA Format)

Tillotson, G H. R. The Tradition of Indian Architecture: Continuity, Controversy,

and Change Since 1850. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989. Print.
Harle, J C. The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent.
Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, 1986. Print.
Temko, Allan. Notre-dame of Paris. New York: Viking Press, 1955. Print.
Example #2
Thesis Statement
The Japanese Garden is not simply nature, not simple self create, as the
literal translation of the Japenese word for nature shizen- would have us
believe. The Japanese garden is and had always been nature crafted by man.
It belongs to the realm of architecture and is, at its best nature as art
(Nitschke, 10)
Japanese gardens are seen as beautiful and tranquil places. There are
different uses for the gardens such as for tea houses and for meditation, but
each as seen as art transcribed through nature. Unlike Japanese gardens, the
French gardens of Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV were used as a way
to show triumph over nature in his kingdom. The gardens of Versailles were
used to show wealth and Louis XIVs standing. The Japanese never saw the
role of gardens in this way, yet both were enjoyed for their beauty as
sculpted and controlled art environments.
Outline
I.
II.

III.

IV.
V.

Introduction thesis statement

Introduction to the Ryoan Ji temple in Northwest Kyoto.
a. Influence of Chinese landscape paintings on the design of the
gardens
b. Gardens purpose as place of meditation
c. History of the temple and use by monks for meditation
Introduction to the Garden of Versailles
a. Design of gardens by Andre Le Notre
b. Importance of formal style and show of authority and status
c. Economic and cultural influences on the architectural design
d. Contrast symmetry of Versailles garden with asymmetry of
Japanese Zen garden
Symbolic comparison of Versailles gardens and the Ryoan-ji temple
gardens
Compare/contrast the landscape design and the relationship to
French baroque culture and Japenese Zen culture of the 15 th century

Bibliography
Gregg, Jessica A. Chateau de Versailles: A Cinderella Story: Chateau de
Versailles and its rise to Magnificance. 5 Mar. 2010

Heddin, Thomas. Tessin in the Gardens of Versailles in 1687. Konsthistorik

Tidskrift 72. (2003): 47: Art and Architecture Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Apr.
2010
Nitschke, Gunter. Japenese Gardens Taschen: Los Angeles, 2007.
Tilden, Scott J. The Glory of Gardens. Abrams: New York, 2006