ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYBTH/HIS/THE 646 Theological Studies SeminarRoger D. Cotton, Th.D. Spring, 2002COURSE SYLLABUSCOURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course is required for completion of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree. It isdesigned to teach, guide and assist the student in the writing of a major seminar paper. Theprocess of producing such a paper affords students an opportunity to demonstrate competencieswithin their chosen concentrations through research, interpretation and writing.COURSE OBJECTIVESAfter completing this course the student should be able to:1. Present a product of effective graduate level research and writing in his or her area ofconcentration2. Interact with the scholarship in his/her chosen field in a critical and reflective manner,assessing strengths and weakness and identifying operating presuppositions in boththeological and hermeneutical method3. Engage in constructive analysis and criticism of peer research and writing.TEXTBOOKSRequired:Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th ed.,revised by John Grossman and Alice Bennett. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,1996. (All papers are to follow the documentation method described in chapters 8 and 9)Recommended:Mauch, James E. and Jack W.Birch. Guide to the Successful Thesis and Dissertation, 3d . ed,revised and expanded. New York: Mercel Dekker, 1993.BTH/HIS/THE 646 Theological Studies SeminarRoger D. Cotton, Th.D. Page 2Troyka, Lynn Quitman. Simon & Schuster: Handbook for Writers, 3d ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice Hall, 1993.Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers For Students of Religion and Theology.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.COURSE REQUIREMENTS1. Attendance and participation in all class sessions is required of each student because of thenature of the seminar and the reduced number of class sessions. The dates of class meetingswill be negotiated by the class.2. The consistent meeting of established due dates in the preparation and presentation of thepaper is expected of each student.3. All students are accountable for filling in any gaps in their knowledge about writing such amajor, formal, research paper by consulting the recommended texts.4. All students will provide a copy of the first draft of their seminar papers for each of theircritics and professor, as well as one copy on 2 hour reserve in the library, due at least fourdays before the class session in which the paper is to be critiqued. (The schedule for critiquedates for the papers will be made by the class). The expense of copying will be borne by thestudent.5. Each student will participate in the evaluation of the first draft of peer papers as (1) a literarycritic and as (2) a content critic. The assignments of these responsibilities will be made byJan. 28.6. The obvious focus of the course is the successful completion of a seminar paper in an areachosen by the student within the student’s degree concentration, in which there has beenfoundational course work. It must be based on the examination and interpretation of primaryand secondary sources. The paper must be 25-30 pages double-spaced, exclusive ofof endnotes, bibliography and appendices. If footnotes are used (which is preferred), thelength of the paper should be 30-35 pages excluding bibliography and appendices.METHODOLOGYThe course will consist of dialogue relative to the research and writing of seminar papers,individual research and writing (for most of the semester), private consultation with theprofessor, and peer review and critique.COURSE SCHEDULEBTH/HIS/THE 646 Theological Studies SeminarRoger D. Cotton, Th.D. Page 3I. JanuaryClass meetings will focus on the following items: explanation of the syllabus and courseexpectations; topic selection and clarification; proposal/project description preparation; researchmethodology; and highlighting important sections of the two required texts.Jan. 21 – Each student will submit the topic for the seminar paper and a list with briefdescriptions of the issues to be addressed. The professor will respond to each student, and grantapproval to begin further work on the paper.Jan. 28 – Each student will submit a preliminary proposal/project description for theirpaper and a working bibliography including the most important sources to be consulted. Theprofessor will begin immediately to read them and respond in writing before Feb. 4. Anappointment will be asked for if a consultation is necessary. Assignments for literary and contentcritics for each paper will be made at this session.II. FebruaryNo formal class meetings. The students are expected to work independently on their papers.The professor will be available in his office for student appointments during the scheduled timesfor the class. Each student is expected to make an appointment and meet with the professor atleast once during these weeks. At this appointment the student must bring a rough draft of theintroduction, a working outline of the paper, and the working bibliography with the key sources,for review.III. MarchClass meetings resume. The first draft of the seminar paper is due. Each student will have about ahalf hour for interaction on his or her draft. They may make a summary statement about theirresearch and conclusions and then receive and respond to critiques by a literary critic, a contentcritic who have read the draft ahead of time, as well as from the professor. Formal class meetingswill end when each draft has been critiqued.During these sessions the students will be asked questions and given suggestions by their peersand the professor. One should come with a learner’s attitude and not look at it as a defense of thework, but a dialogue with colleagues about the work, with the intent to improve the final product.Immediately after the review of the draft the students should begin preparing the final draftIV. April 12 -- Final Draft dueBTH/HIS/THE 646 Theological Studies SeminarRoger D. Cotton, Th.D. Page 4The student will turn in his/her final draft by 3:00 p.m. to the professor or the faculty secretary.The professor will begin to work through the final drafts immediately and students will benotified via campus mail if there is need for further revision. GRADING PROCEDUREPreliminary proposal/project description and working bibliography 2%Class room content critique 9%Class room literary critique 9%Final draft of seminar paper 80%PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: (1) For every