THD890 Introduction to Theological Research

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This course will provide students with the tools for doctoral level research and opportunities for reflection on becoming scholar-pastor. Students are introduced to the conduct and reporting of scholarly theological research.

Course Description:

This course will provide students with the tools for doctoral level research and opportunities for reflection on becoming scholar-pastors. Students are introduced to the conduct and reporting of scholarly theological research.

Course Objectives:

* To enable the student to have an understanding of the appropriate research skills and techniques for doctoral level academic study, and particularly, the study of theology.
* To enable the student to have an understanding of the format of scholarly theological writing.

Assignments:

1. Annotated Bibliography

PERCENTAGE OF FINAL GRADE:30%

The goal of this assignment is to produce a preliminary working database of sources for one’s chosen area of research. The student will provide an annotated bibliography of relevant peer-reviewed articles published in the last five years. For each item, provide bibliographic data in standard academic format, followed by a brief description and evaluation of the argument, together with an assessment of its relevance for your own research (maximum 100 words per entry, not including bibliographic data).

Required number of items: 10 items.

2. Dissertation Topic Selection

PERCENTAGE OF FINAL GRADE: 30%

The Dissertation Topic Selection document is the first step in the dissertation completion, and will be used in two ways:

• To identify a preliminary topic for your dissertation. This topic should be the product of initial investigation on your part, but will be subject to change and refinement as you develop your prospectus and then your proposal.
• To help identify the faculty member(s) who will guide you throughout your dissertation completion process.

Make sure to follow the attached template ( found under topic 7).

Additionally, chapter 5 Writing theology well p. 108 has a sample proposal that can help complete your dissertation topic document.

3. Textbooks reading reports

PERCENTAGE OF FINAL GRADE:40%

The goal of this assignment is to master the skills for academic writing and theological research through the study of materials from the main textbook for this course, “Writing Theology Well” by Lucertia Yaghjian. The student will provide a 300 -500 words report for each chapter of the textbook. For each report, the student will describe, summarize, analyze, and evaluate the content of the assigned chapter ( 300 – 500 words per report).

Required Textbooks

Obtain a one year subscription to a set of theological journals at http://galaxie.com.
The cost for this is minimal ( $50.00 for a one year subscribtion).

Yaghjian, Lucretia B. Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. New York: Continuum, 2006.
ISBN-13: 978-0826418852

ISBN-13: 978-0826418852

Obtain a one month or a one year subscription to a set of theological journals at http://galaxie.com.

Student Supplement to The SBL Handbook of Style

Writing Tools and References

Dictionaries

Encyclopedias

Style and Usage