Fall 2014/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; (4) develop and write a graduate-level academic research paper of approximately 2,500 words using appropriate library resources.
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: approx. 1,070 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 [170 pages (sections 1, 2, and 3) assigned].
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].
Jinkins, Michael. Invitation to Theology: A Guide to Study, Conversation & Practice. InterVarsity, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830815623, Pub. Price $24.00 [278 pp. assigned].
Pannenberg, Wolfhart. An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1991. ISBN: 978-0802805461, Pub. Price $14.00 [69 pp.].
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.].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Grenz, S., Guretzki, and C. F. Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. IVP, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830814497, Pub. Price $8.00.
Pannenberg, Wolfhart. An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1991. ISBN: 978-0802805461, Pub. Price $14.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
1,070 pages of required reading [107 hours].
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].
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].
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].
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] [15 hours].
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the Director of Academic Advising. No auditors.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.