DESCRIPTION:

This course is primarily designed for the beginning theology student who desires to improve research and writing skills.

Course objectives include: (1) The student should be able to perform essential research and study methods, based upon knowledge of the resources required for a graduate level education. (2) The student will be able to know and master basic theological terms, doctrines, and thought necessary for a seminary education. (3) The student should be able to use tools and methods for effective study, including but not limited to test taking strategies. (4) The student will practice and use methods, resources, and language (writing and verbalization) for successful and effective communication, especially through the production of academic papers. The student will not only learn the value of these skills for seminary studies, theological reflection and theological writing, but there will also be opportunity to learn the value of these skills for their present or future ministry to the body of Christ.

The course involves reading, writing, advanced library and resources orientation, discussion and lecture. The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.

Covey, Stephen; A. Roger Merrill; and Rebecca Merrill. Primero, lo Primero. Trans. A. Bolanca and A. Negretto. Mexico: Paidos, 1999.

De La Torre, Miguel and Edwin Aponte. Introducing Latino/a Theologies. Orbis. 2001.

Grenz, S. J.; D. Guretzki; and C. F. Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Moltmann, Jürgen. ¿Qué es teología hoy? Ediciones Sígueme, 1992

Yoder, John H.; Lilia Solano; and C. René Padilla. Iglesia, Etica y Poder. Ediciones Kairós, 1998.

Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers. University of Chicago Press, 1996.

Adler, Mortimer J. and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Simon & Schuster,1972.

Bradley, James E. and Richard A. Muller. Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods. Eerdmans, 1995.

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 4th ed. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 1999.

McGuirre, Mary; Linda Stilborne; Melinda McAdams; and Laurel Hyatt. The Internet Handbook for Writers, Researchers, and Journalists. The Guilford Press, 1997.

Murphy, Nancey. Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion. Trinity Press International, 1999.

________. Theology in the Age of Scientific Reasoning. Cornell University Press, 1990.

Musser, Donald and Joseph Price, eds. A New Handbook of Christian Theologians. Abingdon, 1996.

Ramm, Bernard. Diccionario de Teología Contemporánea. Casa Bautista, 1984.

Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Trans. C. Taylor. Eerdmans, 1992.

Ureta, Floreal. Introducción a la Teología Contemporánea. Editorial Mundo Hispano, 1992.

(1) Weekly research and library resources assignments, prepared in a notebook. (2) Weekly reading assignments and quizzes. (3) Two Book Reviews. 4 pp. double-spaced. (4) An 8-10 page Research Paper presenting a theological topic of the student's choice, with complete footnotes and bibliography.