Vyhmeister, Nancy J. Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Transcription

1 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY COURSE: DMIN 880 COURSE TITLE: Research and Writing of the Thesis Project FACULTY NAME: Dr. Charles N. Davidson I. COURSE DESCRIPTION An introduction to the Thesis Writing Process and how ministry is enhanced using current electronic resources. Students will be introduced to all phases of the D.Min Thesis writing process, including the thesis timeline, research, writing your thesis, and the finished product, including the abstract and the vita. Students will become familiar with the Thesis Manual and with resources available to them through the library and the Liberty University Writing Center. Use of electronic databases for ministry research and Turabian Formatting will be introduced. II. RATIONALE It is vital that each student understand the Thesis writing process. This course will assist each student in having a complete and thorough understanding of how to write your thesis to the last phase of defending your Thesis. Students will have key instructors who will demonstrate how to accomplish the IRB Application, and how to develop first-rate surveys and other research data. This course will demonstrate and give guidance through on-hand application and instructional student learning skills on the eight steps of the Thesis Project. III. PREREQUISITES NONE IV. REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE(S) Booth, Wayne C; Colomb, Gregory G.; Willias, Joseph M. Kate L. Turban-A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations. 7th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2007; paper back (Amazon); ISBN 13: Vyhmeister, Nancy J. Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, V. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING Booth, Wayne C, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Willias. The Craft of Research. 3rd ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2008; paper back (Amazon); ISBN 13:

2 Sensing, Tim. Qualitative Research: A Multi-Methods Approach to Projects for Doctor of Ministry Theses. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2011; paperback (Amazon); ISBN White, Strunk, E.B. White. The Elements of Style, 4th. ed. New York: Longman, 1998; paperback (Amazon); ISBN Wilson, Len, and Jason Moore. The Wired Church 2.0. Nashville: Abingdon Press, The book is separated into four parts: 1. Developing a mission for media. 2. Designing meaningful media for worship. 3. Building a championship crew. 4. Mastering the technology. Each part describes the way and reason why of doing things in media ministry. The book's focus is using technology for the worship service. This is necessary read for any church interested either in starting a media ministry or muscling up their existing ministry. Wilson and Moore offer practical step by step advice that is easy to understand and apply. The Wired Church 2.0 is a comprehensive book (adapted from reviews on Amazon). VI. MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES (LBTS PLOs 1, 2, 4, 6) The student will be able to: A. Formulate a research topic that is suitable for a Thesis Project. B. Identify the five key introduction components relevant to your research topic. C. Construct an Abstract Sample that will be evaluated in class. D. Critique and summarize lectures on the Research Development for your Thesis Project. E. Evaluate lectures on the Thesis Manual. F. Design a Thesis Introduction that satisfies each criteria for an official D.Min Thesis Introduction as indicated in the D.Min. Thesis Project Manual. VII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS Pre-class Assignment: a. Read the two required texts. 100 pts. b. Write a 20-page combined summary on the two required textbooks. Make sure you key in on all the areas you will need when you begin to write 2

3 your thesis project. You will be able to use your summary as a referral and assist you in the writing process of your thesis. Center on the key issues at hand on each chapter. (Due first day of class). 100 pts. c. Be prepared to discuss in lecture format, group format, and individual report format. You can begin working on the Post-Course Assignments (A, B, C). (100 pts.) In-Class Assignments: d. Write a Thesis Project Abstract draft that will be evaluated in class. (Due Wednesday end of class). 100 pts. e. Write a five-page summary on Mr. Randy Millers lectures on the Research Development for your Thesis Project. (Due Friday end of class). 100 pts. f. Write a five-page summary on the lectures on the Thesis Manual. (Due Friday at noon). 100 pts. g. Final Exam. 150 pts. h. Find five journal articles that pertain to your research topic. Write a welldeveloped analysis of each article (2-3 pages each) and include a Bibliography. 100 pts. Post-Course Assignments: i. Thesis Introduction Project. You will write your first twenty-twenty-five pages list the five key components listed in the Thesis Manual. (Due 20 April 2013). 150 pts. VIII. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A. Weight a) Read required Texts 100 pts. b) Twenty-page summary-required texts 100 pts. c) Individual/group participation 100 pts d) Abstract Project 100 pts. e) Research Development Lecture assignment 100 pts. f) Thesis Manual Lecture assignment 100 pts. g) Final Exam 150 pts. h) Five Article Analyses 100 pts. i) Thesis Introduction Project assignment 150 pts. j) Total 1,000 pts. B. Scale A A B B 3

4 B C C C D D D- 679 and below F IX. ATTENDANCE POLICIES This is a one-week intensive and students are expected to be present all day, every day. Any exception should be cleared with the professor before the absence. This course will end on Friday approximately 3:00pm. Please make travel arrangements accordingly. X. OTHER POLICIES A. Academic Misconduct Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See The Graduate Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting. B. Disability Statement Online students with a documented disability may contact the DLP Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at dlpodas@liberty.edu to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Residential students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 for arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom. C. Drop/Add Policy Consult the Graduate Catalog for drop/add policies. D. Dress Code Students are expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. E. Classroom Policies Students are expected to be on time, prepared, alert, interested, participating, cooperative, pleasant, etc., for the entire time of each class session. 4

5 XI. CALENDAR The class time will use a seminar approach, and the class members are expected to discuss the reading and add personal insights to the topics each day. Class will begin each day at 8:30 am and will end at 4:30 pm. There will be 10 minute breaks every hour and ninety minutes for lunch each day. Please keep in mind due to outside schedules the calendar of events are subject to change. Monday: Presentation on The Thesis Manual Dr. Davidson Tuesday: Power Point Presentation on A Manual For Writers Textbook, The Craft of Research Textbook Dr. Davidson Presentation on the Integrated Learning Resource Center by Randy Miller Wednesday: A Manual For Writers Textbook, Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology Textbook The IRB Application Process Dr. Davidson Presentation on the IRB Application by Michele Baker Presentation on the Graduate Writing Center by Tess Stockslager Thursday: Presentation of Student Abstracts Friday: Final Exam & Wrap up of Course 5