Courses

Students bring diverse learning and skills from across their program in order to research and write and/or carry out a senior thesis or organizational project in leadership or strategic communication. Students gain skills in project management, research methodology, and integrative thinking in order to collect social scientific data, advance complex arguments, and/or help an organization achieve its communication goals. Students will gain deeper scholarly and professional understanding of communication, forge professional and academic contacts, and demonstrate mastery of relevant theory, principles and writing strategies. Students conclude the course with a public presentation to peers, faculty, and professional leaders regarding the main project.

Students are required to produce an outline of the topics to be studied in consultation with the instructor. A course of reading and writing is pursued according to the approved outline.

The course provides opportunity for the articulation of transformational leadership (both cultural and personal). It requires leaders to communicate their vision of growth and opportunity. Students gain insight into effective leadership communication as they examine the worldviews, history, and economic challenges in developing nations (in East Africa and Central America). This course explores underlying cultural and faith-based worldviews by means of an interdisciplinary travel study. Specifically, the course explores social and humanitarian responses to critical social issues in the Global South. Through readings, lectures (including field practitioners and experts), and field experiences, students are exposed to the complex nature of human problems and social responses. Students seek to understand critical social issues in light of cultural, environmental, economic, political, and historical frameworks. Of particular interest is the manner in which religious worldview shapes one's response to the disadvantaged, and how the transformational model informs leadership behaviour and the development process.

Guides students through the development of a proposal for the Master of Arts in Christian Studies graduating project requirement. Students prepare a proposal for either an integrative research paper or an applied project, demonstrating focused topic selection, appropriate methodology, and alignment with program learning outcomes in preparation for MCS 810.

Program capstone designed to integrate the theological, biblical, and ministry formation components of the Master of Arts in Christian Studies. Students complete either an integrative research paper or an applied project that demonstrates synthesis of program learning outcomes and the ability to apply theological understanding within a chosen area of specialization.

Produces a focused major research paper developed in conjunction with an advanced elective within the student’s area of theological specialization. The course supports the formulation of a defined research question, engagement with relevant scholarly literature, and completion of a sustained academic paper that integrates prior coursework and disciplinary methods. Research parameters and objectives are established in consultation with the supervising faculty member and aligned with program guidelines for advanced theological research and writing. (Both the elective course and the paper must be passed in order to receive credit for the paper.)

Prepares students for the completion of the ThM integrative paper through guided research design, methodological clarification, and project planning. The course supports refinement of an integrative research question, development of a coherent proposal, and articulation of scope, structure, and sources appropriate to advanced theological inquiry. Students work in consultation with faculty to finalize an approved integrative paper plan that demonstrates readiness for sustained capstone-level research and writing.

Produces an integrative research paper that synthesizes advanced theological learning across the student’s program of study. The course guides students in formulating a focused integrative question, drawing together coursework, scholarly literature, and disciplinary perspectives to construct a sustained academic argument. The integrative paper demonstrates advanced research, critical analysis, and theological reflection through coherent written presentation and scholarly engagement appropriate to capstone-level study.

Develop a formal thesis proposal that defines a focused research question within biblical, theological, or historical studies. The course guides students in refining topic scope, conducting advanced literature review, articulating methodology, and establishing a viable research plan under faculty supervision. Emphasis is placed on proposal coherence, scholarly engagement, and readiness for sustained thesis research.