Fall 2015/Pasadena

CH808/508

Thompson

CH808/CH508: HISTORIOGRAPHY (4 Units: 180 Hours). John L. Thompson.

DESCRIPTION: This is a CATS doctoral seminar ― open to a limited number of advanced master’s students (CH508) ― that examines theory and methods in church history and historical theology, intended to facilitate graduate work in the field. Students will be asked to think through issues of structure, pattern, and meaning, as well as proper use of sources and tools, with a view toward the development of their own skills in historiography.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete this course will have demonstrated: (1) an ability to select and narrow a meaningful topic of research; (2) fluency with the ethics, philosophy, and methods of their academic discipline; (3) an ability to distinguish, locate, and use primary and secondary sources; and (4) facility in ordering the results of research in a coherent and convincing form.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions, for a total of 30 hours of classroom activity (instruction, presentations, and discussions), with an additional 20 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 50 instructional hours. Assigned reading is to be completed as a preparation for classroom discussions. Students will present their research projects during the final weeks of the quarter.

REQUIRED READING: 1090 total pp. required

Bloch, Marc. The Historian’s Craft. Vintage paperback, 1964. ISBN: 978-0394705125, Pub. Price $10.95 [197 pp. assigned].

Bradley, James, and Richard Muller. Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods. Eerdmans, 2016. ***Will be furnished in electronic form (do not purchase old edition). [286 pp. assigned].

Carr, E. H. What is History? Vintage paperback, 1967. ISBN: 978-0394703916, Pub. Price $14.50 [224 pp. assigned].

Garner, Bryan A. Garner's Modern American Usage. Third edition. Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0195382754, Pub. Price $45.00 [~100 pp. assigned].

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 8th ed. Chicago University Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0226816388, Pub. Price $18.00 [183 pp. assigned].

Assorted articles, to be posted on eReserves [~100 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Completion of 1090 pp. of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [72 hours].

2. Attendance & active participation in class (8%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [30 hours]

3. Various weekly or occasional directed learning activities, including:

   1. Weekly forums on Garner (4%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [10 hours]

   2. Take-home quiz on Turabian (4%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3, 4] [3 hours]

   3. Team project on bibliographical methodology (8%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [15 hours]

   4. Analytic essay on Bloch and Carr (8%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [5 hours]

   5. Analytic essay on New Historicism (8%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [5 hours]

4. Preparation of a 20-30 page research paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the professor and written in conformity with the methodological guidelines discussed in class (60%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40-90 hours].

PREREQUISITES: For master’s level students, instructor’s permission.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Option to meet the TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.