In the spring semester of the thesis year, students craft a short-form essay based on their thesis research for publication in the VCS journal ​Sightlines​; they also formally present their scholarship to the public at a day-long Visual & Critical Studies Symposium. The symposium groups graduating students into thematic panels moderated by prominent scholars representing relevant fields. MP 2 offers professional training in writing, revising, and editing for publication and prepares students in the arts of formal, conference-style presentation. Having successfully completed MP1, students will receive an M.A. or Dual Degree upon completion of MP2. The MP2 instructor(s) and the VCS Chair will evaluate the student’s overall academic performance during a Final Review at the end of the spring semester.