DESCRIPTION: This course is primarily designed for the beginning theology student who desires to improve research and writing skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, the student will (1) be able to perform essential research and study, based upon knowledge of the resources required for a graduate level education; (2) know and master basic theological terms, doctrines, and thought necessary for a seminary education; (3) be able to use tools and methods for effective study, including but not limited to test-taking strategies; (4) practice and use methods, resources, and language (writing and verbalization) for successful and effective communication, especially through the production of academic papers.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Students will not only learn the value of these skills for seminary studies, theological reflection, and theological writing, but there will also be opportunity to learn the value of these skills for their present or future ministries to the body of Christ.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.The course involves reading, writing, advanced library and resources orientation, discussion and lecture.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, S. J.; D. Guretzki; and C. F. Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Ladd, George, Teología del Nuevo Testamento. Editorial CLIE, 2002.

Moltmann, Jürgen. ¿Qué es teología hoy? Ediciones Sígueme, 1992

Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers. University of Chicago Press, 1996.

Ureta, Floreal. Introducción a la teología contemporánea. Editorial Mundo Hispano, 1992.

Wright, N. T. El verdadero pensamiento de Pablo. Editorial CLIE, 2002.

Yoder, John H., Lilia Solano, and C. René Padilla. Iglesia, etica y poder. Ediciones Kairós, 1998.

Adler, Mortimer J. and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Simon & Schuster, 1972.

Bradley, James E. and Richard A. Muller. Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods. Eerdmans, 1995.

De La Torre, Miguel and Edwin Aponte. Introducing Latino/a Theologies. Orbis. 2001.

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 1999.

McGuirre, Mary, Linda Stilborne, Melinda McAdams, and Laurel Hyatt. The Internet Handbook for Writers, Researchers, and Journalists. The Guilford Press, 1997.

Murphy, Nancey. Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion. Trinity Press International, 1999.

________. Theology in the Age of Scientific Reasoning. Cornell University Press, 1990.

Musser, Donald and Joseph Price, eds. A New Handbook of Christian Theologians. Abingdon, 1996.

Ramm, Bernard. Diccionario de teología contemporánea. Casa Bautista, 1984.

Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Trans. C. Taylor. Eerdmans, 1992.

(1) Weekly research and library resources assignments, prepared in a notebook. (2) Weekly reading assignments and quizzes. (3) Two book reviews, 4 double-spaced pages. (4) An 8-10 page research paper presenting a theological topic of the student's choice, with complete footnotes and bibliography.