This two-week doctoral seminar is both the first and last class that students take. First-year students take it for paid credit whereas Doctoral Candidates take it thereafter as a “free audit.” It introduces first semester students to the methods of theological reflection, pastoral ethnography, and empirical research so they begin the program with a view towards what is expected in their final doctoral project. First-year students craft a potential Final Project Proposal as they simultaneously observe Doctoral Candidates (those who have successfully completed all their course work) finish their Final Project Proposals. Doctoral Candidates are expected to have a completed, approvable proposal by the end of the two-week seminar. All students will present their proposal to the entire class for peer review.