The Institute of Advanced Christian Research (IACR) emerges as a pioneering beacon at the confluence of faith and academic inquiry, where the fertile plains of intellectual curiosity intersect with the enduring pillars of Christian faith. Our institution is dedicated to crafting an academic journey that not only deepens research skills but broadens understanding across the diverse landscape of Christian Studies.
Course 4 - Advanced Studies and Thesis
This capstone course is designed for students who wish to pursue an in-depth research project on a topic related to creationism, Intelligent Design, or critiques of evolutionary theory. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students will conduct original research, develop a thesis, and engage in scholarly writing. The course includes seminars on research methodologies, academic writing, and critical analysis, as well as opportunities for peer review and feedback. The culmination of the course is the presentation and defense of the thesis, contributing to the academic discourse on the intersection of science, faith, and philosophy.
In this groundbreaking capstone course, "Advanced Studies and Thesis," we take a pioneering approach to graduate education by guiding you to produce a work that transcends the traditional academic thesis. This course is designed not just to culminate your learning experience but to catapult you into a realm where your research has immediate impact and relevance beyond the academic sphere. Here, you will craft a book that weaves your rigorous academic research into a narrative accessible to a mass audience, effectively bridging the gap between scholarly work and public discourse.
Learning Objectives
Identify and Refine a Central Thesis: Select a compelling topic that contributes new insights to the field, ensuring it has both academic merit and mass appeal.
Engage with Interdisciplinary Sources: Critically evaluate and synthesize a wide range of sources to build a solid foundation for the book's arguments.
Develop Accessible Content: Translate complex theories and concepts into content that is engaging and understandable to non-specialists.
Incorporate Personal Insights and Research: Integrate findings from previous coursework and original research to provide a unique perspective.
Master Narrative and Structured Argumentation: Craft a coherent narrative that logically progresses from introduction to conclusion, persuasively arguing the book's central thesis.
Polish for Publication: Apply professional standards of editing, formatting, and presentation to prepare the book for publication.
Market and Disseminate Findings:
Develop strategies for marketing the book to reach the intended audience, including academic peers, interested laypersons, and industry professionals.
The Rationale Behind the Project
Unlike a conventional thesis, which often remains confined within academic circles, this project empowers you to contribute directly to the broader cultural and intellectual conversation. This approach acknowledges a crucial reality: groundbreaking ideas deserve a platform where they can reach and resonate with a wider audience, influencing public understanding and dialogue around critical topics like creationism, Intelligent Design, or critiques of evolutionary theory.
Project Guidelines: Crafting Your Capstone
Developing Your Concept: Identify a compelling question or problem that bridges scholarly research and public interest. Your work should invite exploration and offer fresh perspectives on familiar debates.
Research with Purpose: Embark on an interdisciplinary journey, integrating insights from theology, science, history, and philosophy to build a robust foundation for your book. This rich tapestry of perspectives will not only strengthen your arguments but also enrich the reader's experience.
Writing with Clarity and Conviction: Your narrative should be engaging and insightful, presenting complex ideas with clarity and simplicity. Strive for a tone that is both authoritative and inviting, encouraging readers to explore alongside you.
Structuring Your Argument: Organize your book to guide readers through a compelling journey. Each chapter should unfold logically, drawing readers deeper into the topic and supporting your overarching thesis.
Incorporating Your Voice: This book is a reflection of your academic journey and personal growth. Infuse your writing with personal insights, experiences, and reflections that connect with readers on a human level.
Refining for Publication: Approach the editing process with the same rigor as your research. Seek feedback, engage in revision, and polish your manuscript to meet professional publishing standards.
Engaging Your Audience: Consider your marketing strategy from the outset. Identify your target audience and explore channels through which you can connect with them, from academic conferences to social media platforms.
Embracing a New Educational Paradigm
This capstone course represents a bold step forward in graduate education, offering you the opportunity to make an immediate and tangible impact. By choosing this path, you're not just earning a degree; you're establishing yourself as a thought leader and contributing to the vital dialogue at the intersection of faith and science.
This is your chance to transform the capstone thesis from a mere academic requirement into a launchpad for broader engagement and influence. Embrace this opportunity to blend academic rigor with creativity and accessibility, shaping a narrative that not only satisfies the scholarly community but also captivates and educates a global audience.
Course Schedule and Structure
This course is tailored to support a correspondence-based learning approach, allowing students the flexibility to engage with the coursework at their own pace within a structured framework. This setup ensures a personalized learning experience that is both reflective and comprehensive. Below is the detailed course schedule and structure, highlighting essential milestones and checkpoints for effective progress through the course.
Initial Consultation
The course begins with a mandatory one-hour phone call between each student and the instructor. This initial meeting is crucial for reviewing course expectations, discussing the research paper in depth, and establishing a working relationship. It also serves as an opportunity for students to clarify any questions and articulate their learning objectives for the course.
Duration and Pace
The course is designed to be completed within a 6-month period, though students have the flexibility to finish sooner if they choose. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, students must not allow more than 4 weeks to pass without a checkpoint with the instructor.
Checkpoint Flexibility
After the first scheduled meeting, subsequent checkpoints can occur over any medium preferred by the student, including phone, ZOOM, or email. This flexibility ensures that students can choose the communication method that best suits their needs and learning style while maintaining consistent contact with the instructor.
Course Progression Steps
Selecting a Research Topic: Students will identify and refine a research topic of interest within Christian psychology, laying the groundwork for their research paper.
Selecting a Research Methodology: Based on the chosen topic, students will select and justify an appropriate methodology for their research.
Conducting a Literature Review: A comprehensive review of relevant literature, including critical analysis of the 8 classical texts provided and 2 modern resources selected by the student, will be conducted.
Summary of Each of the 10 Books: Students will summarize and analyze each of the 8 provided classical texts and 2 additional modern resources, highlighting their relevance to the research topic.
Drafting the Research Paper: Students will draft their research paper, integrating insights and evidence from their literature review.
Revising the Research Paper: Following instructor feedback, students will revise their paper to enhance arguments, clarity, and adherence to academic standards.
Final Submission: The completed research paper will be submitted for final evaluation, showcasing the student's ability to conduct in-depth research and contribute to the field of Christian psychology.
Regular Checkpoints
To ensure continuous progress and adherence to academic standards, students are required to schedule regular checkpoints with the instructor at each major step of the course. These checkpoints are essential for receiving guidance, feedback, and support throughout the research and writing process.
Conducting Research: A Guide for Students
Embarking on academic research is a profound journey of discovery, analysis, and contribution to your field of study. At the Institute of Advanced Christian Research, we provide an array of resources and tools designed to support you through this process. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the research landscape, highlighting our university library, including LIRN, our index of the Syntopicon, and our digital catalog of Project Gutenberg books.
1. Utilizing the University Library and LIRN
The university library, accessible through the Library and Information Resources Network (LIRN), is your gateway to hundreds of professional subscriptions, journals, and databases. LIRN offers unparalleled access to a vast array of academic resources that are essential for conducting thorough and informed research.
Getting Started: Begin by accessing LIRN through the university’s portal. Familiarize yourself with the interface and the variety of resources available.
Keyword Searches: Use specific keywords related to your research topic to find relevant articles, books, and journals. Refine your search using filters to narrow down results by publication date, subject, or type of resource.
Saving and Organizing Resources: Utilize the platform's tools to save your searches, organize resources into folders, and keep track of your references.
2. Exploring the Index of the Syntopicon
Our digital index of the Syntopicon allows you to explore major ideas and themes across a wide range of disciplines. This tool is invaluable for understanding the broader context of your research topic.
Search by Theme: Use the Syntopicon to find themes or ideas related to your research. This can provide new angles or insights into your topic.
Cross-Referencing: The Syntopicon can help you cross-reference themes across different works, offering a multidimensional view of your research area.
3. Accessing Project Gutenberg
Our digitally searchable list of Project Gutenberg books, complete with auto-linking, offers access to a treasure trove of classical texts that are foundational to many areas of study.
Searching the Catalog: Use the search function to find books by title, author, or subject matter. The auto-linking feature makes it easy to access the full text of the books you’re interested in.
Incorporating Classical Texts: Don’t overlook the value of classical texts in your research. These works can provide historical perspectives and foundational theories relevant to your study.
4. Ethical Considerations
Conducting research with integrity is paramount. Always:
Cite Sources Accurately: Ensure all sources are accurately cited in your research to avoid plagiarism.
Respect Copyright Laws: Use copyrighted materials appropriately, adhering to fair use guidelines.
Maintain Objectivity: Approach your research topic objectively, avoiding bias and ensuring your study is balanced and fair.
5. Basic APA Strategies
APA (American Psychological Association) style is essential for formatting your research paper and citing sources. Key strategies include:
In-Text Citations: Include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses when quoting or paraphrasing.
Reference List: All sources cited in your paper must appear in your reference list at the end of your document, formatted according to APA guidelines.
Formatting: Pay attention to APA formatting rules, including title page setup, headings, margins, font type, and size.
6. Orientation to Conducting Research
Develop a Research Plan: Start with a clear research question or hypothesis. Outline your approach, including your methodology, potential sources, and a timeline for your research.
Review Literature Thoroughly: A comprehensive literature review is crucial. Examine existing research to identify gaps and build on the knowledge base.
Analyze and Synthesize Information: Analyze the information you gather and synthesize it to draw new insights or conclusions related to your research question.
Write and Revise: Write your research paper with clarity and precision. Be prepared to revise based on feedback and further insights.
By leveraging these resources and following these guidelines, you are well-equipped to embark on your research journey. The Institute of Advanced Christian Research is committed to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve academic excellence.
Example Paper: https://iacr.education/images/example.pdf
Grading Rubric for Final Research Paper (Pass/Fail)
For the final research paper to be graded as a pass, each of the following elements must individually receive a pass based on the outlined criteria. Failure to meet the passing criteria for any one of these elements will result in a fail grade for the course. This comprehensive approach ensures that the final paper reflects a high standard of academic research and writing, adhering to the expectations of the course.
Research Question and Originality
Pass: Clearly defined, relevant, and original research question that identifies a gap in the literature of Christian psychology. The topic must demonstrate significance and contribution to the field.
Fail: The research question is vague, irrelevant, or lacks originality, failing to identify a significant gap in the literature.
Literature Review
Pass: A comprehensive and critical review of relevant literature, integrating both classical and modern sources, demonstrating understanding of historical context, current debates, and identifying gaps in research.
Fail: The literature review is incomplete, lacks critical engagement, or fails to integrate sources effectively, showing no clear identification of research gaps.
Methodology
Pass: Appropriately chosen and well-articulated methodology, with a clear justification and detailed description suitable for the research question.
Fail: Inappropriate or poorly described methodology without justification, failing to detail procedures for data collection and analysis.
Analysis and Synthesis
Pass: Demonstrates critical analysis and synthesis of data/information, drawing insightful conclusions supported by research findings.
Fail: Lacks depth in analysis and synthesis, with conclusions not supported by the research.
Ethical Considerations
Pass: Ethical considerations are thoroughly addressed and integrated, demonstrating an understanding of ethical issues in research and Christian psychology.
Fail: Ethical considerations are inadequately addressed or overlooked, showing a lack of understanding of ethical research practices.
Writing Quality and APA Formatting
Pass: The paper is well-written and coherent, with correct APA formatting throughout, including citations and references.
Fail: Poor writing quality with significant errors, incorrect or inconsistent APA formatting, affecting the clarity and coherence of the paper.
Overall Assessment
To pass the course, the final research paper must meet the passing criteria for all the above elements. This ensures that the paper as a whole reflects a comprehensive and rigorous engagement with the research topic, contributing meaningful insights to the field of Christian psychology. Each element of the paper is critical to the overall integrity and quality of the research, requiring careful attention and adherence to academic standards.