Pontifex University

ThD program:

THE 610: Foundations of Academic Theological Writing

6 credit hours

Professor: Arielle Harms, PhD

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class guides student through the project of researching and writing a graduate-level theology dissertation project.  Using The Craft of Research, 4th Edition as a starting point, students work through chapters with exercises that help apply the material to their own research interests and dissertation topic.  Through this hands-on method, students learn how to select an appropriate topic, find and distinguish suitable sources, write a compelling thesis statement, put together a thorough proposal and make a relevant bibliography.  This course assumes prior theological studies and a graduate level understanding of the discipline of theology.

 

TEXT AND REQUIRED MATERIALS

 

Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and William T. FitzGerald,

        The Craft of Research, 4^th Edition. Chicago, University of Chicago Press: 2016.

 

Various handouts as provided.

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

This course is offered asynchronously on our LMS, NEO.  To access the course and complete it successfully, you will need an internet capable device with sound and a current internet browser: either the current or the previous release of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, or Internet Explorer 11+ (for Windows 8 and previous versions), and Microsoft Edge (for Windows 10+) to run the LMS.  In addition, courses require the use of, a PDF viewer, word-processing software compatible with Microsoft Office suite and a current email address. For help with the NEO platform see the Help Center in the LMS, found by clicking on the “?” in the upper right hand corner after you have logged in.  For log in questions, registration questions, or problems with missing content or content malfunctions, contact the teaching assistant, Elizabeth Froula at [email protected].

 

COURSE-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.        propose a topic appropriate for a doctoral level dissertation in theology
2.        collect and evaluate appropriate academic-level sources for a theology dissertation
3.        compose a compelling thesis statement
4.        construct a thorough proposal for the theology dissertation
5.        Organize a relevant bibliography for the theology dissertation

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

This course and its assignments are graded on a pass/fail basis.  Students are not allowed to progress in the course until assignments are passed.  The course is not completed until the proposal abstract is graded “pass.”

COURSE EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES

Students in this course are expected to read, discuss, and write about the course content that reflects the competency of graduate level theological studies.  Proper grammar and good writing style are expected, both in longer and shorter written assignments.

 

Any discovered instance of plagiarism will not be tolerated. All submitted work should be original.  Any direct quotes or paraphrasing of other authors should be cited properly, Chicago Manual of Style for essays, papers, and books outside of the course material. In text citations are appropriate for citing course material assigned by the professor.   The professor is happy to help you give proper credit for sources used.  If you have questions, please ask.  Penalties for violations may include grade reduction or course failure. 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

 

Assignments in this course are applications of the lessons.  Students are expected to use materials they have written previously, materials provided by the professor, and selections from their own research to apply the ideas in the lessons. 

 

The course concludes with a 500-word proposal abstract and bibliography. Your proposal abstract should include a 500-word summary of your question and what you hope answer, as well as a research reading list bibliography dividing primary and secondary sources.  Please format according to the program’s preference for the Chicago Manual of Style.  Your proposal should briefly include your claim, including why this is important, and give some context regarding the state of the question.  Your abstract should take care to suggest that the topic is appropriately theological for a doctoral program in theology.  In addition, we will be looking for graduate-level engagement with the topic and graduate-level use of sources even at this stage. The chosen advisor approves the abstract and bibliography before it is submitted.

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

 Introduction

 

Lesson 1: The Genre and Style of a Theology Dissertation

            Assignment: Prologue Questions using Sample Dissertations

 

Lesson 2: Reasons to Write and the Role of the Author and Reader

            Assignment: Assignment 1 Evaluating Past Writing

            Assignment: Assignment 2 Finding and Evaluating Examples

 

Lesson 3: Finding an Appropriate Topic

            Assignment: Assignment 1 Topic and Claim for Sample Dissertations

            Assignment: Moving From a Topic to Questions in Your Own Writing

            Assignment: The Three Steps Articulate an Academic Topic Appropriately   

 

Lesson 4: From Questions to Problems

            Assignment: Finding Some Problems

            Assignment: Turning Your Question into a Problem

 

Lesson 5: Finding Sources

            Assignment: Primary, Secondary or Tertiary (Sources)

            Assignment: Finding Sources

 

Lesson 6: Engaging Sources

            Assignment: Reading for a Problem

            Assignment: Using Secondary Sources

            Assignment: Taking Notes

 

Lesson 7: Making and Argument

            Assignment: A Well-Constructed Argument

 

Lesson 8: Formulating a Claim

            Assignment: Evaluating Claims

            Assignment: Construct a Claim

 

Lesson 9: Pulling Together Reasons and Evidence

            Assignment: Is the Evidence Plausible

 

Lesson 10: Acknowledgements and Responses

            Assignment: Identifying Acknowledgments and Responses

            Assignment: Identifying Questions to Acknowledge

 

Lesson 11: Warrants

            Assignment: Finding Warrants in Academic Theology

 

Lesson 12: Planning and Drafting

            Assignment:  A Stab at an Introduction

 

Lesson 13: Organizing Your Argument

            Assignment: Working Through a Draft

 

Lesson 14: Incorporating Sources

            Assignment: Incorporating Sources 1

            Assignment: Incorporating Sources 2

 

Lesson 15: Introductions and Conclusions

            Assignment: Applying Introductions 1

            Assignment: Applying Introductions 2

            Assignment: Applying Conclusions

 

Lesson 16: Revising Style

            Assignment: Practicing Revision

 

Lesson 17: Some Last Considerations

 

Assignment: Proposal Abstract and Bibliography

 

 

Proprietary Interest Policy:

Faculty are permitted to refer to notable past work and achievements (including publications and educational activities not offered by Pontifex University, and even those offered for personal profit) in their published biography on the Pontifex website and course promotions. In the context of educational activities undertaken for Pontifex University, including videos, live or recorded, teachers, can recommend or bring to the attention such work for students (even if for personal profit, for example, books or podcasts) but only with approval by Pontifex University and when it is related to the teaching purpose of the class.  An instructor’s related work will be noted in the syllabus as appropriate.  Instructors may use their own materials as required in their courses and learning events as long as the materials are appropriate for the particular learning event.

 

Failure to comply with this policy will result in a warning or administration modification of course materials. Violations of this policy should be reported to the Provost.