Why Senior Thesis?
Every year, TRA Seniors anxiously yet capably ready themselves for the culmination of their classical Christian education. They’ve written their (at least) twenty-page paper; they’ve delivered speeches all year in preparation; they’ve practiced and practiced and practiced some more. Then, each takes the stage and delivers a twenty-minute speech based on their paper followed by at least twenty minutes of question-and-answer defense–all in front of a panel of four teachers and a large portion of the student body. Why do we put our Seniors through Thesis Defense?
It largely comes down to a Roman rhetorician named Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (we just call him Quintilian, though). Throughout the first volume (of twelve) of his Institutio Oratoria, Quintilian says that a true rhetorician is a good person who speaks well. Note what Quintilian does here: it’s not enough just to say good words, but to be able to stand upright and full-chested (as Lewis might say) and speak Truth. The Apostle Paul wrote letters to churches, but he also stood on the Areopagus (Acts 17) and spoke to nonbelievers using ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade them of the truth of the Gospel. He was a good man who spoke well.
At The River Academy, our students spend years in their classes reading great literature and philosophy and theology and history, participating in discussions and debates, and writing papers and reflections. But that’s just the groundwork for sending them out into the world–not just when they graduate. We educate our students to speak and live out the Truth well, beyond the safety of the four classroom walls. Each class discussion is geared toward this, all with the eventual goal of stepping onto the stage to defend a Thesis (an argument) that they’ve developed for a year.
So, just before graduation, Seniors deliver a shortened version of their Thesis Paper, because only a few people read that paper, and we want them to speak to their peers and underclassmen, to say something meaningful that will resonate with and inspire them. Moreover, when the Seniors deliver and defend their Thesis, we hope to demonstrate the rhetorical and logical skills that all our classes have honed and sharpened in them. They’ll answer questions from their teachers, poking and prodding at their logos and ethos and pathos (logic, morality/spirit, emotion) to see if their arguments hold together.
The purpose and spirit (the telos and ethos) of Thesis Defense is to turn a spotlight on a core classical value of The River Academy: educating the next generation of Christian leaders who will influence the world around them by being good men and women who speak the Truth well.
Tyler Howat
Dean of Curriculum
Senior Thesis Defense Schedule
Lizzy's Thesis:
"Am I My Tyrant's Keeper?"
Thursday, May 26 | 8:00-8:50am
In recent years, leaders have become less focused on the people and more on their own gain. To recognize their faults, leaders need accountability. Leaders without accountability fail and bring others down with them. Leaders without checks and balances become tyrants. While tyrants might be effective in achieving their goals, they cannot be considered morally good (and therefore should not be followed). Good leadership relies not on prideful autonomy but on humble accountability to ensure that leaders have the true best good of humanity in mind. Distractions are in front of the leaders every day and they need accountability to keep them from following the distractions. This paper argues why accountability is necessary because of what happens to leaders that do not have it.
Jonah's Thesis:
"A Christian's Guide to Handling the Fear of the Unknown"
Thursday, May 26 | 8:55-9:45am
In March of 2020, this unknown virus started spreading and it had us all worried. The question then arose: should a Christian be truly worried about worldly problems? This propelled me to research the topic of fear for Christians. Focusing on fear has become a problem not just for Christians, but for all people. Fear and anxiety have started to dictate how people respond, and react to certain things. This does not exclude Christians, however. Christians, of all people, should be the ones not reacting wrongly to fear-based things because we know God is in control. Christians should be reassured of God’s sovereignty in the midst of their fears. I have found through my own experiences of fear, anxiety, and worry, that if you truly put all your trust in God and believe that there is a bigger picture than what is on earth, then life will be less stressful and more fun. People need to learn how to deal with fear before it causes the downfall of humanity. There are two simple choices: let yourself be controlled by fear, or control your response to fear. Which will you choose?
Soren's Thesis:
"The Sneetching of the Modern Church"
Thursday, May 26 | 9:50-10:40am
Churches around the United States, some even right now, are deciding whether or not to follow the controversial Critical Race Theory. CRT is an intellectual idea based on the belief that the United States of America was founded upon racial bias, and those running the country are still perpetuating such institutional biases. CRT has the end goal of equity, which Vice President Kamala Harris defines as “we all end up in the same place.” Unfortunately, equity is the core idea of Marxism. Therefore, CRT does not fit with the Church’s mission because the Church’s job is the administration of word and sacrament and fulfilling the Great Commission. Churches that adopt Critical Race Theory are not holding true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because Critical Race Theory is a doctrine of its own and its end results are distinctly unbiblical.
Conor's Thesis:
"Forging Battle-Ready men: The Role of Contact Sports in Cultivating Godly Virtues"
Thursday, May 26 | 10:45-11:35am
This argument targets the need for strong men in our society, in which there is a dangerously dwindling amount. To solve this problem, the character development of sports proves to be an efficient way to build strong young men who can defend and protect. It is obvious that young men who develop upstanding character traits and a hard work ethic more easily grow into better friends, fathers, and husbands. All young men should play physically demanding sports in order to develop these skills. If young men in our society can develop the traits that produce Godly character, then our cities and country would be a much better place.
Annelise's Thesis:
"The Other Pandemic"
Thursday, May 26 | 12:15-1:05pm
We live in a world obsessed with body image. Both internally and externally, we tend to focus on ourselves. This self-obsession, along with the blurring of facts and feelings now allows dangerous health repercussions to ripple through society. Our nation’s cultural promotion of negative mentalities such as personal happiness, self-fulfillment, and the desire for instant satisfaction is based on self-centered, post-Truth ideals and causes a body-image pandemic. Society must work to flip these toxic ideals and embrace true fulfillment and unity of mind, body, and soul not through oneself but through God. Will we fight to correct the physical, mental, and spiritual deterioration in our country or will we fall to this other pandemic?
Rianne's Thesis:
"The Unmappable Maze"
Thursday, May 26 | 1:10-2:00pm
Failure is an inevitable obstacle that every single person has to face. Fear of failure often chains people from the truth of what their failures can teach them. Learning from failure grows and blossoms people into strong, firmly-rooted individuals who will not simply fall due to life's winds, but will deepen their roots against life's inevitable blows. So, how do we clothe our minds, souls, and bodies against this lie of failure and its common view of negativity on our lives? When strengthened, a growth mindset, perseverance, and a strong work ethic will all be part of the armor guarding us against inevitable failure. People will grow, but only through the refining fire of failure. This fear of failure can often hold people back from the anointing dream which God has for their lives and who He has created them to be. We need to learn to put on this armor in order to fully break free from the shackles of our past failures, all through grace and the wisdom gained through our scars.
Jazmyn's Thesis:
"Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair: A Christian's Guide to Discernment and Horror Films"
Friday, May 27 | 8:00-8:50am
When watching a horror movie, encountering evil is expected. Some think the horror genre should be completely thrown out as a whole because of the evil portrayed. What some people do not see is that there can be redeeming qualities, good conquering evil, and real lessons shone through these films. Christians should be able to watch horror films if they use Godly discernment. Such films should have redemptive qualities, should clearly portray evil as evil, and should not be stumbling blocks to faith. With personal discernment, knowing what will affect your heart and cause you to stumble in your faith, you can answer the question, “Should Christians watch horror films?”
Zach's Thesis:
"Of Mobs and Men"
Friday, May 27 | 8:55-9:45am
There are men in movements, yet none in mobs. This corresponds to the potential failure of the modern Christian leader, one who ought to lead in light of Christ rather than self. Furthermore, the meaning of manhood is being challenged by cowardice and the creation of mobs. Mobs eliminate the faculties of peace that Christian values hold dear, and all too many are flocking to mob mentalities rather than standing like men. However, there is a solution to this issue. Christian leaders are called to lead movements in peace and not influence fear-mongering mobs. There is a contrast of mobs and men in this wild world, Christians are called to lead toward peace over conflict.
Olivia's Thesis:
"The Father: 'Tis Here, 'Tis Here, 'Tis Gone"
Friday, May 27 | 9:50-10:40am
Why is the father image so important? What’s the big deal about entertainment portraying a goofy dad? This thesis unpacks the hidden effects of TV dumbing down the dad; effects that hurt the intended family dynamic as described in Scripture. Shows such as Modern Family, and Everbody Loves Raymond hurt the
biblical importance of the father, unlike their predecessors who depicted a biblical father. This is damaging to society because people unconsciously imitate fictional characters. What might happen if all the fathers are imitating these characters? Children seek a role model and without a biblical father in that place, they choose their own role model. Without biblical fathers, children seek attention and choose their own paths, which is damaging to society because the lack of fathers is directly correlated with the increase in violence, drug use, and teen pregnancy, to name a few. Instead of searching to television to define fatherhood, Christians need to look at the biblical definition. Through discernment and a biblical understanding, Christians can re-establish the true father figure, so that children can grow up in a proper home, ultimately benefiting society and glorifying God.
Noah's Thesis:
"From Pages to Panels"
Friday, May 27 | 10:45-11:35am
Ever since its founding, The River Academy has prided itself on the literature they teach us their students. We have read amazing works such as Hamlet, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby. But there are many great literary works that our school and many others have ignored for too long: graphic novels. I know what you are thinking: aren’t Graphic Novels just comic books? What could someone learn about literature through those? With great writing and beautiful visual storytelling graphic novels provide a deep and unique way to experience themes, characterization, and pathos. Stories like Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Maus (and many others) offer the same literary depth as many of the classics do.
