Research Opportunities

Theology Undergraduate Symposium

"Say Something Theological: The Undergraduates Speak."

Open to all students who participated in and wrote research papers for Theology courses during the current academic year. Students have an opportunity to present their papers to Theology faculty and students and receive a response from another Theology student. The symposium is held annually in April. One paper will be chosen as "Best Paper" by Theology faculty. The Best Paper includes a small monetary award. A call for papers will be sent out during the spring semester.

The Rains Research Assistant Program is intended to support faculty research by providing financial support for full-time tenured & tenure-track faculty to hire a student research assistant.

Undergraduates: The Symposium is your opportunity to share your research and creativity with the LMU community. Presentation formats include paper presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, and presentations of creative endeavors. Creative activities may include performances in music, dance, and theatre, as well as exhibits in the visual arts and film.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) enhances undergraduate education by providing financial support for students wishing to engage in faculty-guided research opportunities and creative activity during the summer. Participation in SURP is a program designed to provide students with insight into the research process. Further, it provides students an academic alternative to nonacademic summer employment. Like the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), students are involved in an intellectual community of learners in which leadership, critical inquiry, and communication (written and oral) skills are enhanced. Students write a proposal based on the formulation of research questions, conduct the research, analyze data, and publicly communicate the results to the academic community through a presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, a publication, or other professional opportunities. "Research" is broadly defined and may include arts disciplines grounded in a study of history, theory, or practice.

Throughout the summer, SURP sponsors a number of co-curricular events and outings including a welcome barbeque, a guided tour of the Getty museum, yoga, and a movie night. Faculty mentors hold workshops and seminars throughout the summer to help SURP students build their research and presentation skills. The program culminates with an informal mini-symposium where students have the opportunity to present their work-in-progress to their peers and faculty.