Advanced Research Methods & Writing

Course Description

Regent College’s educational vision describes our mission as a handing forward of living faith from one generation to another. This is a mission that Regent students inherit as they go out into the world and share what they learn here. But how do we do this, given the variety, breadth, and depth of what we study? How do we gather up our particular (and sometimes peculiar) academic interests and communicate them for the benefit of others?

This seminar prepares all ThM students and MATS thesis students for their final degree project. Together, in a community of your academic peers, you will write your thesis proposal or prepare your ThM major paper. Elements will include developing a research question and thesis statement, describing your research methodology, engaging with primary sources, and coming to an understanding of current scholarship in your chosen field. But beyond this, we will use the nuts and bolts of preparing a major academic project to hone skills in writing and research, and to explore what it means to be scholarly writers who work together in order to hand forward the riches of our theological study.

This course has a maximum enrollment of 12 students.

To get into a priority enrollment course, you must register by the early registration deadline (see Important Dates) and must submit a Priority Enrollment Course Request (available through the "Additional Registration Requests" section of the Registration menu in REGIS) after completing your registration. Class lists will be determined within a week after the early registration deadline, and you will be notified by email shortly thereafter. First priority will be given to students who need a course for the program to which they have been admitted, and who have registered by the early registration deadline.

Additional Info
This seminar is required for all ThM students and for MATS thesis students. You must have a thesis or ThM major paper supervisor before the course begins and an idea of what your topic will be. You should approach potential supervisors in the fall term to ensure you are prepared for the course in the winter.

Find the full thesis guidelines here:
Thesis Guidelines