Advanced Thesis Preparation is a course assisting in the preparation and shaping of research for the M.A. thesis. The course enables students to develop a substantial graduate level research project that follows a time/work schedule, while focusing on the practical and conceptual issues germane to developing and writing a thesis. This course will give students direction regarding: information seeking, research using primary and secondary sources, the identification of problems and development of critical questions for the in-depth engagement with a subject in fashion studies, the development and structuring of critical arguments, and the writing process. In the first part of the course, students will undertake preliminary research that shapes their research subject, culminating in a 8-10 page Thesis Research Plan which will discuss the significance of one’s research subject, situate one’s work in the field of fashion studies, outline key questions, sources and methodology. This Thesis Research Plan includes a two-page bibliography and a time/work schedule of one’s research and writing process leading up to the final thesis submission in Week 10 of the spring semester. In the second half of the fall semester, students will focus on the expansion and advancement of their research, culminating in the first-third draft of one’s thesis (20-25 pages) to be submitted in Week 12. This includes the table of contents, introduction, draft chapter(s), and additional working bibliography.