Fall 2014/Fuller Online

ST511

Bacon

ST511: ORIENTATION TO THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (4 Units: 160 hours). Courtney Bacon.

DESCRIPTION: The course is designed to assist beginning theology students as they embark on the adventure of seminary studies. Students will be introduced to the academic environment and ethos of Fuller Seminary, with particular focus on developing skills of research and writing necessary to participate and thrive in this environment.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated the ability (1) to use critical thinking and analytical reading skills to evaluate writings; (2) to conduct focused research by using library resources especially as found online through Hubbard Library and other websites and manage this research throughout a quarter producing a graduate-level, 12-15-page research paper. Students will also (3) be able to define important theological, philosophical, and historical terminology traditionally associated with seminary education; (4) demonstrate introductory knowledge of theological methods within Christian thought; and (5) formulate and locate their own theological tradition and positions across the spectrum of Christian thought.

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: A maximum of 580 pages taken from the following:

Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Simon & Schuster, 1972. ISBN: 978-0671212094, Pub. Price $16.99 [426 pp.].

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 [336 pp.].

Grenz, S., D. Guretzki, and C. F. Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830814497, Pub. Price $9.00 [122 pp.].

Platinga, Richard J., Thomas R. Thompson, and Matthew D. Lundberg. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0521690379, Pub. Price $32.99 [654 pp.].

Turabian, K. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 8th ed. Chicago University Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0226816288, Pub. Price $18.00 [482 pp.].

Additional other readings provided online and through course eReserves.

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT: 

1. Weekly PowerPoint presentations and weekly written instructional feedback on assignments, etc. [24 hours].

2. 200-word weekly forum posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 5] [8 hours].

3. 200-word weekly replies (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 5] [8 hours].

4. 580 pp. of required reading [39 hours].

5. Three theological reflection papers based on course readings to help students formulate their own theological positions and engage scholarly writings in a critical manner (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 4, and 5]. [12 hours].

6. Cumulative quiz designed to test comprehension of assigned vocabulary (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [3 hours].

7. Weekly due dates for the stages of research, reading related to research, and production of the term paper (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [37 hours].

8. A term paper of 12-15 pages reflecting on a theological topic and correctly citing all sources (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [29 hours].

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

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.