Fall 2020/Fuller Online

ST511

Shin

ST511: ORIENTATION TO THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (4 Units: 160 hours). Jongseock Shin (James).

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to equip beginning theology students for successful work at Fuller Theological Seminary, with a particular focus on basic theology, while sharpening the research and writings skills necessary to excel in graduate-level studies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to (1) utilize analytical and critical reading and reasoning skills to evaluate theological writings and argumentation; (2) convey introductory knowledge of important theological topics and their relationship to the Christian life and church ministry; (3) formulate their own theological positions in dialogue with key voices from across the Christian tradition; and (4) conduct focused research using library resources to produce a graduate-level research paper of 3,000 words.

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: Approximately 924 pages of required reading.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Trinity and Revelation: A Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World. Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0802868541, Pub. Price $45.00. [210 pp. assigned]

Migliore, D. Faith Seeking Understanding. An Introduction to Christian Theology, 3rd ed. Eerdmans, 2014, 457 pp. ISBN: 978-0802871855, Pub. Price $30.00 [175 pp. assigned].

Pannenberg, Wolfhart. The Apostles’ Creed in Light of Today’s Questions. Trans. Margaret Kohl. Wipf and Stock, 2000. ISBN: 978-1579104405, Pub. Price $24.00 [174 pp. assigned]

Adler, M. J., and C. Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Rev. ed. Touchstone, 2011. ISBN: 978-0671212094, Pub. Price $18.00 [84 pp. assigned].

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 8th ed. University of Chicago Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0226816388, Pub. Price $18.00 [144 pp. assigned].

Additional article provided through course eReserves:

Chung, Paul S. “The Asian Pursuit of Trinitarian Theology in a Multi-Religious Context” Journal of Reformed Theology 3:2 (2009): pp. 144-156 [13 pp. assigned]

“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. assigned].

Schwarz, Hans. Creation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 2002. [73 pp. assigned].

Lee, Jung Young. “Multiple and Global Theological Scholarship: An Asian American Perspective,” Theological Education 32:1 (August 1995): pp.43-55 [13 pp. assigned].

Maldonado Pérez, Zaida, Loida I. Martell-Otero, and Elizabeth Conde-Frazier. “Dancing with the Wild Child: Evangélicas and the Holy Spirit.” In Latina Evangélicas: A Theological Survey from the Margins. By Loida I. Martell-Otero, Zaida Maldonado Pérez, and Elizabeth Conde-Frazier. Eugene: OR, 2013 [19 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

González, Justo L. Essential Theological Terms. Westminster John Knox, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664228101, Pub. Price $27.00.

Houghton, Peggy M., Timothy J. Houghton, Michele M. Pratt, and Kate L. Turabian. Turabian: The Easy Way! XanEdu Publishing Inc, 2014. ISBN: 978-1935356363, Pub. Price $10.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 924 pages of required reading. [89 hours].
2. Weekly forum participation. Each week, students will be required to write an initial post of 200 words and two 100-word responses to posts from fellow students. Forums will engage with topics from the assigned readings and will be graded based on the student’s comprehension of the material and depth of insight (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and #2] [15 hours].
3. Weekly research assignments. These assignments will introduce students to important elements of graduate-level research, while taking them through the necessary steps to prepare for the final research paper. These assignments help students become familiar with research tools, selecting a research topic, developing a thesis, and preparing final research papers. (10%). [They are related to learning outcome #4] [12 hours].
4. Theological reflection papers. Students will write three reflection papers of approximately 750 words. Each paper will be guided by a prompt requiring students to summarize and critically engage with a specific theme from the required readings and reflect on its importance in the life and ministry of the church (25%). [These assignments are related to learning outcomes #1, #2, and #3] [14 hours].
5. Final research essay. Students will craft a theological research essay of no less than 3,000 words focusing on a specific doctrinal issue. In the essay, students will draw from assigned readings and additional research to articulate and defend their own position on the topic. As the culmination of this course, this assignment will require students to utilize all of the skills and competencies they have developed to put forward a clear, focused, and well-written theological argument (35%). [This assignment is related to all four learning outcomes, especially #4] [30 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.