Approaches and topics vary considerably in the 498 Advanced Project. Some students, using the model of the traditional senior thesis, conduct formal research and present a substantial term paper, while others prefer a more "creative" approach, choosing instead to write a play, a spiritual autobiography, or a cycle of poems. Whichever approach one takes with the form of the project, the content of the work should draw from and bring together knowledge from a substantial part of the courses they have taken during their program of study in Religious Studies.

Past projects have included "Discovering the Miracles of Jesus and the Faith Response", "Modal Interpretations of St Anselm's Ontological Argument", "The History and Practice of Prison Ministry", "Medieval Female Mysticism: Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe", and "Islam: The Transformation" and have ranged from 25 to 60 pages. Whatever the approach or the topic, the aim of the Advanced Project is to give students the opportunity to do two things at once: to reflect broadly on their study of religion in general, and to bring into focus what they have learned in other courses by concentrating on a subject of particular interest or concern.

• Intensive majors, for whom this course is a requirement, would be well advised to begin considering what their project might be as early as possible, and certainly by the beginning of their senior year they should have some possible directions in mind.



• The next step is to ask one of the Department's faculty to serve as a director or "first reader", This will normally be someone with whom one has worked before in another course or courses and whose interests one shares. The main point of this initial meeting, which should take place no later than mid-term of the student's penultimate semester, is to discuss guiding interests and preliminary ideas and to begin thinking through both approach and resources. Faculty will also explain their own specific procedures and expectations. How many times and how often will the student be asked to meet with the faculty member during the research and preparation of the project? What is the deadline for completion? How long should the project be? In the case of a formal paper, what manual of style is to be followed, and what formatting requirements should be observed?



• The last stage of an Advanced Project is its formal presentation before a committee composed of one's director and two other faculty. Students are given the opportunity to explain why they chose their particular topic and what they believe they have accomplished and learned. Committee members then pose questions which are designed to encourage the student's further. reflection, and criticisms and recommendations for improvement are offered. This presentation is scheduled far enough in advance of the end of the semester that the commitee's suggested revisions (if any) can be incorporated in a final draft of the project.