Summer 2014/Fuller Online
ST511
Farris
ST511: ORIENTATION TO THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (4 Units: 120 hours). Joshua R. Farris.
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; (3) critically appropriate theology generally and practically; (4) develop and write a graduate-level academic research paper of approximately 2,000 words using appropriate library resources.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. 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. This online course is comprised of ten weekly lessons that involve reading, reviews, forum participation, and video/audio lectures. The final project will be a 2,000-word research paper. We will “meet” on moodle.fuller.edu.
REQUIRED READING: approx. 1,000 pp.
Adler, M. J., and C. Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Rev. ed. Simon & Schuster, 1972. ISBN: 978-0671212094, Pub. Price $16.99 [357 pp. assigned].
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 3rd ed. Chicago University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0226065663, Pub. Price $17.00 [read sections 1,2,3 equaling 170 pp.; use as a reference].
Houghton, Peggy M., Timothy J. Houghton, Michele M. Pratt, and Kate L. Turabian. Turabian: The Easy Way! Baker College, 2009. ISBN: 978-1935356363, Pub. Price $11.00 [108 pp. assigned].
Plantinga, C., Jr. Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning & Living. Eerdmans, 2002. 169 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8028-3981-7, Pub. Price $16.00 [145 pp. assigned].
Kelly M. Kapic. A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology. IVP Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830839759, Pub. Price $8.00 [107 pp. assigned].
Additional readings provided online and through course eReserves.
“Feminist Hermeneutics,” by Sandra M. Schneiders (first version of Hearing the New Testament)
“African American Criticism,” and “Latino hermeneutics,” from Joel B. Green (ed.) Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Eerdmans, 2010.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Grenz, S., D. Guretzki, and C. F. Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. IVP, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830814497, Pub. Price $8.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Reading log of required texts (20%) [corresponds to Learning outcome #1] Comprises 50 hours for the course. Evaluation will be graded solely upon completion of reading, which you will assign a percentage of how much you have read.
Weekly forum participation (20%) [corresponds to Learning outcome #2] Comprises approximately 30 hours for the course. Each weekly forum requires students to give a 250 word write-up and 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 read and digested the material. Second, forum entries need to be written clearly. Additionally, students must construct sentences according to the rules of grammar. Third, students will be graded based upon their individual insight into the subject material.
A series of three group projects addressing propositional knowledge, knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by use respectively (30%) [corresponds to Learning outcome #3] Comprises 20 hours of the course. These three group projects allow students to work together in groups, divide the time, and appropriate the a particular doctrine or set of doctrines to real life. Each project should be between 8-10 pages and will be graded based upon content, argument, clarity of contribution, and usefulness in the context of ministry.
A research essay on a particular doctrinal problem or issue [2,000 words] (30%). [corresponds to all four Learning outcomes especially #4] Comprises 20 hours of the course. 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 his skills acquired in the course, from the readings, and bring them to bear in one paper. Students will be evaluated based upon clarity of content, argument, thesis (make one thesis on a doctrinal issue; don’t reinvent the wheel), formatting, grammar/syntax, and careful thinking on the doctrine.
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the Director of Academic Advising. No auditors.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.