Winter 2020/Fuller Online

ST511

O’Brien

ST511: ORIENTATION TO THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (4 Units: 160 hours). Christopher D. O’Brien.

DESCRIPTION: This class, by design, is to prepare the student for successful theological work at Fuller Theological Seminary with a particular focus on basic theology, research, and writing skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will demonstrate the ability to (1) engage theological literature in a careful and critical manner; (2) critically analyze and evaluate theological arguments and key themes; (3) critically appropriate theology; and (4) develop and write a graduate-level academic research paper of approximately 2,500 words using appropriate library resources.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: ST511 introduces beginning students to the basic vocabulary, concepts, and significance of theological studies, while simultaneously training them in the research and writing skills necessary for graduate-level coursework. As such, the course implements the SOT PLO, “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1086 pages required.

Adler, M. J., and C. Van Doren. How To Read a Book. Touchstone, 1972. ISBN: 978-0671212094, Pub. Price $16.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [222 pp. assigned].

Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Credo: Meditations on the Apostles’ Creed. Ignatius, 2000. ISBN: 978-0898708035, Pub. Price $11.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [92 pp. assigned].

Jinkins, Michael. Invitation to Theology: A Guide to Study, Conversation & Practice. InterVarsity, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830815623, Pub. Price $26.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [249 pp. assigned].

Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Eerdmans, 1962. ISBN: 978-0802811981, Pub. Price $9.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [41 pp. assigned].

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9th ed. University of Chicago Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-226-43057-7, Pub. Price $18.00. [183 pp. assigned].

Williams, Joseph M. Style: Toward Clarity and Grace, University of Chicago Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-0226899152, Pub. Price $15.00 [199 pp. assigned]. This text is out-of-print, but readily available as a used book or as a PDF here: https://sites.duke.edu/niou/files/2014/07/WilliamsJosephM1990StyleTowardClarityandGrace.pdf

Additional readings provided online and through course eReserves.

“The Task and Content of Liberation Theology,” by G. Gutierrez, translated by Judith Condor from Christopher Rowland (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2007 [19 pp.].

“Liberation Theology in Asia,” by Bastiaan Wielenga from Rowland (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology [23 pp.].

“Black Theology,” by Edward Antonio from Rowland (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology [25 pp.].

“Feminist Theology: A Critical Theology of Liberation,” by Mary Grey from Rowland (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology [17 pp.].

“The Need for Systematic Theology,” by Wolfhart Pannenberg An Introduction to Systematic Theology [16 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Grenz, S., Guretzki, and C. F. Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. IVP, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830814497.

Kapic, Kelly M. A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology. IVP Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830839759.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1086 pages of required reading [101 hours].
2. Watch a weekly video (max of 6 minutes in length) that introduces the weekly topic and assignments [1 hour].
3. Weekly forum participation. Each weekly forum requires students to give a 150-200 word write-up and a 100 word response. This allows students the opportunity to digest their readings in more depth and engage the insights of other students. Evaluation will be determined on three grounds. First, forum entries need to demonstrate that the student has closely read and digested the material. Second, forum entries need to be written clearly and follow the rules of proper grammar. Third, students will be graded based on their individual insight into the subject material (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and #2] [15 hours].
4. Weekly assignments designed to help students become familiar with research tools, selecting a research topic, developing a thesis, and preparing final research papers. Students will be evaluated based on the quality and completion of the assignment. (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 and #4] [14 hours].
5. Three theological reflection papers of approximately 600-700 words each. The reflection papers are designed for students to theologically reflect on and appropriate a particular doctrine to a ministry context. Reflection papers will be evaluated on content, argument, clarity of contribution, and usefulness in the context of ministry (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [9 hours].
6. A research essay on a particular doctrinal problem or issue [2,500 words]. In the research essay, students will draw from their readings and assignments while engaging in other literature in order to put forward a particular position on a doctrinal issue. In this way, the student must draw from all of her or his skills acquired in the course, from the readings, and bring them to bear in one paper. Students will be evaluated based on clarity of content, argument, thesis (make one thesis on a doctrinal issue), formatting, grammar/syntax, and careful thinking on the doctrine (30%). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes, especially #4] [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: Permission of the Director of Academic Advising. No auditors.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.