1 Fall 2012 COURSE SYLLABUS Department: Research & Writing ...

Fall 2012
COURSE SYLLABUS
Department: Research & Writing
Course Title: Theo. Research & Writing Skills
Course Number: RW 701
Credit Hours: 3
Fridays, 8:30 am – 12 noon
Susanah Hanson
Library Director
311 Eleventh Street
Ambridge, PA 15003
724-266-3838 ext. 264 office
724-266-1463 home
shanson@tsm.edu
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to theological research methods and writing skills. Students will
learn in a part lecture and part seminar format, and with both hands-on practicum and theoretical
overview.
Description from the catalog: RW 701 Theological Research and Writing Skills
“Required course for any student writing a thesis
A weekly seminar offered in the spring semester preparing students to write their thesis the
following year (799/by dept.). Students will learn research methods and skills and develop their
writing ability. They will produce a thesis proposal, including a developed statement of the topic,
an outline of the contents, a full bibliography for future research, and a written research
agreement with a thesis supervisor.”
2. COURSE GOALS, OBJECTIVES and OUTCOMES
Goals: By the end of this class, students will
a. better understand guidelines for careful research and writing (what you know)
b. articulate more clearly his or her thesis topic (what you can do)
c. become more responsible researchers and writers who complete work with integrity to
communicate both to a specific audience and wider scholarly community (who you
are)
Objectives: In order to achieve these goals, students will:
a. read and evaluate scholars in the theological, research and communication fields
b. dialog with fellow students and professor about thesis topic
c. complete in-depth research on thesis topic
d. formulate thesis proposal with thesis statement, outline and bibliography
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Outcomes: As a result of this class, students will:
a. Be able to articulate a Biblical theology of theological research and writing;
b. Be able to understand principles of research in the theological discipline, including
literacy of information;
c. Be able to fashion a research methodology tailored to the Master’s thesis project;
d. Be able to demonstrate ability to apply correct bibliographic forms in the SBL style;
e. Learn the art and craft of theological bibliography.
The learning outcomes for Trinity School for Ministry are attached to the end of this
syllabus and should be referred to for further information.
This course will particularly focus on the MAR Learning Outcomes numbers (2) with students
articulating “an Anglican understanding of biblical, historical, systematic and pastoral theology”
as it applies to one’s specific thesis topic; and (4) also being “equipped to apply scholarship to
the life of the church in his or her chosen theological discipline.”
3. COURSE TEXTS
A. Primary texts (these texts are required to be read in their entirety):
Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say I Say: the moves that matter in academic
writing. 2 nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2009. ISBN: 9780393933611. $16.50
Strunk, William and E.B. White The Elements of Style, 4 th edition, Boston, Allyn and
Bacon, 2000. ISBN 978-02053-09023 $9.95 paperback (in stock at bookstore)
Vyhmeister, Nancy Your Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers for Students of
Religion and Theology, 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing, 2008. ISBN
9780310274407. $16.99
B. Supplementary texts (students need not purchase these items):
Alexander, Patrick, et al Eds. SBL Handbook of Style: for Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical,
and Early Christian Studies. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999. ISBN 9781565634879
Badke, William B. Research Strategies: finding your way through the information fog. 4 th
Edition. Bloomington, IN: IUniverse, Inc., 2011.
Booth, William E., Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research.
3 rd Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008. ISBN 9780226065663
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Leedy, Paul, Practical Research: Planning and Design, 8 th edition. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Merrill, 2004
Lewis, C. S. “Learning in War Time.” The Weight of Glory and Other Essays. New York,
Macmillan Co, 1949.
Orwell, George. “Politics and the English Language.” First published Horizon April
1946. http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/politics/english/e_polit
Nogalski, Melanie Greer et al. Student Supplement for the SBL Handbook of Style.
Revised. 2009. http://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/SBLHSrevised2_09.pdf
Warfield, Benjamin Brekinridge. The Religious Life of Theological Students. Presbyterian
and Reformed Publishing Co, 1911.
All texts will be on the reserve shelf in the library
4. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Preliminary to the course:
• Students should have begun research and reading in their thesis interest area, with
a general goal of reading about 500 pages in the general topic area before the first
day of class.
• Students should come to class with a working preliminary thesis statement in
mind.
B. Students are expected to spend two hours outside of class in preparation for course
assignments and class discussion for every hour the class meets;
C. Students are expected to attend class and to comply with student academic policies (for
instance, chapel attendance, intellectual honesty, and thesis process).
D. Readings during the course: See schedule below
E. Weekly Assignments: See schedule below
There will be weekly assignments to foster classroom discussion, and to help
prepare the student for submitting the four course submission requirements listed
below.
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F. Thesis Proposal Requirements:
(items are to be turned in by the end of class on December 14, 2012)
1. Thesis statement.
2. Thesis project overview.
3. Working outline.
4. Working bibliography.
5. COURSE EVALUATION
Grading is determined on a pass/fail basis. Pass is awarded for turning in all completed
assignments and attendance for the in-class sessions. No credit will be given unless all
assignments are completed adequately.
6. COURSE STRUCTURE
I. Introduction to class
a. Overview of syllabus & assignments
b. Students’ description of projects
II.
III.
Theory
a. Study to show oneself approved
b. Lewis
c. Warfield
Research
a. Foundations
i. FOCUS
ii. Thesis Statement
iii. Outlines
iv. Intellectual Honesty
b. Practical outworkings
i. Print materials
1. Encyclopedias
2. Grazing in stacks
3. Paper indexes
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ii. E-resources (with Boolean logic)
1. Trinity online Catalog
2. Worldcat.org
3. EBSCO databases
4. Ad Fontes
5. BibleWorks
c. Evaluating sources
i. Evaluating arguments - They Say/I Say
ii. Evaluating print resources
iii. Evaluating web resources
IV.
Writing
a. Basics of writing
i. Orwell
ii. Strunk & White
b. Revisiting They Say/I Say
c. Bibliographies
i. SBL Style
ii. Zotero
V. Bringing it all together – Thesis Proposal
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Please note that this is a DRAFT schedule and is subject to change, based on class size and
needs.
Date Subject Readings Assignment Due
9-7-12 Introduction to class
Description of projects
Search & Seize
9-14-12 Lewis & Warfield Discussion
Lewis Article
Search & Seize
Search & Seize review
Thesis Statements
Progress reports
Warfield Article
9-21-12 Research Foundations
Vyhmeister
Sample thesis statements
How To: Write a Book Review
Progress reports
9-28-12 Research Principles
Vyhmeister
Vyhmeister Book Review
Vyhmeister Discussion
Print Materials
Progress Reports
10-5-12 Database Essentials
Reading in Subject Area Revised Thesis Statements
Database Presentations
Progress Reports
10-12-12 Draft Outline Discussion
Reading in Subject Area Draft Outlines
BibleWorks presentation
Progress Reports
10-19-12 No Class – Reading Week
10-26-12 Evaluating Sources
They Say/I Say Discussion
They Say/I Say
They Say/I Say Book
Review
Progress reports
11-2-12 Annotated Bibliography Discussion Reading in Subject Area Annotated Bibliographies
Weighing Sources
Research Design
Progress Reports
11-9-12 Basics of Writing/Writing Tips
Reading in Subject Area Revised thesis statement
Revisiting They Say/I Say
Progress Reports
Orwell article
Strunk & White
11-16-12 Zotero Overview Reading in Subject Area
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SBL Overview
Progress reports
11-23-12 No Class – Thanksgiving Break
11-30-12 Project Presentations Presentation & Handouts*
12-7-12 Project presentations Presentation & Handouts*
12-14-12 Project presentations
Class wrap-up
Thesis Proposals Due
Presentations &
Handouts*
*A note about final presentations. Please prepare for these as if you were presenting the information to
the class for the first time. This is a great time to use visual aids, practice your “elevator speech,” or
otherwise elaborate on introductory material (for example, talking about why the subject interests you,
and when your interest began). If it is helpful, think about designing this presentation with an adult
Sunday School class in mind.
7. COURSE CONTACTS
I am usually in my office in the library from 9 am until 5 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday (I’m around campus on Wednesdays, but often occupied with meetings). Please feel free
to stop by my office any time. If you need more than a few minutes, it might be best to contact
me first to set up a specific time for meeting. Email is also a good way to get in touch with me:
shanson@tsm.edu
8. ADDENDUM for STM STUDENTS
STM Students will complete the above assignments, and will complete three additional projects:
• Read William B. Badke’s book Research Strategies: finding your way through the
information fog, 3 rd edition, and prepare materials for a half-hour teaching based on the
book. Materials could include a teaching outline, a powerpoint presentation or a handout
designed for class use.
• Prepare a more extensive Thesis Proposal including a 5-page overview of their thesis
topic.
• In addition, STM students should complete a more extensive bibliography, incorporating
the use of non-English materials as specified by their degree requirements.
Last Updated: 8 August 2012
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Learning Outcomes by Degree
(current as of 11/30/2011)
MDiv
1. The student will recognize and identify the biblical theology evident in the course work.
2. The student will be able to articulate an Anglican understanding of biblical, historical,
systematic and pastoral theology.
3. The student will be able to communicate effectively the Christian message to a diversity of
people in order to advance the mission of God.
4. The student will be prepared to effectively lead in a variety of Christian communities.
MAR
1. The student will recognize and identify the biblical theology evident in the course work.
2. The student will be able to articulate an Anglican understanding of biblical, historical,
systematic and pastoral theology.
3. The student will be able to effectively teach the Christian faith.
4. The student will be equipped to apply scholarship to the life of the church in his or her
chosen theological discipline.
STM
1. The student will recognize and identify the biblical theology evident in the course work.
2. The student will be able to articulate an Anglican understanding of biblical, historical,
systematic and pastoral theology.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to carry out research from original sources.
4. The student will be equipped to successfully pursue further independent research and postgraduate
study in his or her chosen theological discipline.
DMin
1. The student will recognize and identify the biblical theology evident in the course work.
2. The student will be able to identify and articulate a distinct ministry problem.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to reflect biblically and theologically about the
identifed problem.
4. The student will demonstrate the ability to apply the learnings from the biblical and
theological reflections to the identified problem.
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