Syllabus IGBS Fall 2013

7/27/2019 Syllabus IGBS Fall 2013

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INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE BIBLICAL STUDIES

INSTRUCTOR:

Christopher RosserTheological Librarian

[email protected]

S Y L L A B U SF a l l 2 0 1 3

G r a d u a t e S c h o o l o f T h e o l o g y O k l a h o m a C h r i s t i a n U n i v e r s i t y
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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BIBL 5013: Introduction to Graduate Biblical Studies

Purpose

This course is designed to prepare students for graduate biblical studies by equipping them with intellec-tual tools for thinking, reading, researching, writing, and presenting. These ve concerns are foundationalnot only for success in the graduate program, but also for lifelong learning in ministry. Prociency withand eventually mastery of these ve intellectual tools will develop throughout the program as studentsengage the Bible, interact with scholarship, contemplate the Christian tradition, and learn to think theo-logically. As a community of learners, students will work together to engage problems, to locate andevaluate information, and to make practical application of learning through class projects and case study.

Explanation

IGBS is taught in modules , or teaching seg-ments. Each of the ve modules targets spe-cic learning outcomes which are the instruc-

tors expectations for students as they pro-gress. These outcomes are measured accordingto assigned deliverables that students will sub-mit or present throughout the semester. Pleaseconsult the detailed schedule below for classcontent and due dates for deliverables .

Five intellectual tools comprise the framework for this course: critical thinking, reective read-ing, effective research, skillful writing, andcompelling presenta tion. Modules are de-signed to sharpen these tools by providing op-

portunities to engage and assess readings in biblical scholarship and to work both indi-vidually and collectively on projects and pres-entations. Specic objectives hone these toolsand provide measures for assessment:

Critical thinking . Critical thinking is crucial intodays information-saturated environment.Students will learn to critically question a text(whether written or spoken); they will identifypresuppositions; they will become familiarwith various models for biblical interpretation. Reective reading . Applying critical thinking skills, students will deeply engage assigned readings andassess the authors argumentation, position, and approach. Students will examine biblical texts to iden-tify genre, form, and rhetorical strategy. Students will encounter various strategies for effective Biblereading and will participate in lectio divina readings of Scripture. Students will be able to summarize themain points of an article and will demonstrate skills by composing a book review.

I n t r o d u c t i o n t o G r a d u a t e B i b l i c a l S t u d i e s ! C o u r s e P l a n , F a l l 2 0 1 3

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Effective research . Students will develop competency in information literacy. Students will identify theirown information behaviors and will be able to explain the process of researching general to specic. Stu-dents will learn to formulate effective research questions and develop effective research strategies. Stu-dents will show competency in researching with both print and electronic resources and will be able toidentify various types of information resources. Students will be able to evaluate information resourcesfor reliability and scholarship and will become aware of copyright and intellectual property issues relatedto information. Students will recognize the value of synergy and networking for locating information.Students will discuss implications of information ubiquity for ministry in an information society.

Skillful writing . Students will show competency for effectively outlining an essay and will be able toformulate problem, purpose, and signicance statements. Students will discuss the nature of genre (text-types) as it informs expectations for written products such as exegesis papers, book reviews, and discus-sion board responses. Students will identify and discuss examples of both poor and excellent writing.Students will hone their own writing skills through various compositions according to feedback from in-structors. Students will learn to draft, rewrite, and proof before submission. Students will recognize thevital importance of proper grammar in academic writing.

Compelling presentation . Students will become familiar with Turabian , the appropriate style and formatfor work submitted in the Graduate School of Theology. Students will make an oral presentation com-plemented with media (PowerPoint, etc.) and will receive feedback for improvement. Students will work in community to prepare a well written, properly formatted group analysis of a case study.

Introduction to Graduate Biblical Studies is foundational for all classes and programs in the GraduateSchool of Theology. Students are encouraged to work hard, to participate, to engage the readings andprojects, to interact as a community of learners, and to always ask for help and guidance. In this way,students who complete this course will be equipped with intellectual tools that will serve them through-out their studies at Oklahoma Christian and beyond.

Required Texts

1. Adler, Mortimer Jerome, and Charles L. Van Doren. How to Read a Book.New York: Toushstone, 1972.ISBN: 9780671212094

2. Badke, William B.Research Strategies: Finding Your Way Through the Information Fog . New York: IUni-verse, Inc, 2008. ISBN: 9780595477470

3. Brown, Scott G. A Guide to Writing Academic Essays in Religious Studies. New York: Continuum, 2008.ISBN: 9780826498885

4. Camp, Phillip G. Finding Your Way: A Guide to Seminary Life and Beyond. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books,2009. ISBN: 9781606082522

5. Tate, W. Randolph. Interpreting the Bible: A Handbook of Terms and Methods. Peabody: Hendrickson,2006. ISBN: 9781565635159

6. Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980. ISBN: 978-0802811981

7. Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago: Universityof Chicago, 2007. ISBN: 9780226823379


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Module chedule (see sp cic module objectives at end of syllabus)

Module Dates General Focus of Module

Mod 1 8/27 thru 9/10 Critical thinking for theological studies

Mod 2 9/11 thru 10/1 Engaging texts through reective reading

Mod 3 10/2 thru 10/22 Information literacy for effective research

Mod 4 10/23 thru 11/29 Techniques and strategies for skillful writing

Mod 5 11/20 thru 12/13 Presenting information and working a case study as a community of learners

Dog-ear this page and refer to it often!

Deliver ble Due Dates (Unless required at class on Tuesdays , deli erables due by 11:59 PM. )

Mod 1 Asking and answering critical questions 9/1 (Sunday)

Mod 1 Arguing with an author 9/8 (Sunday)

Mod 2 Interacting with a scholarly blog 9/15 (Sunday)

Mod 2 The art of reading Scripture 9/22 (Sunday)

Mod 2 Response to lectio divina 9/24 (Tuesday)

Mod 2 Rhetorical strategies exercise 9/29 (Sunday)

Mod 3Personal information seeking behavior 10/6 (Sunday)

Mod 3 Ubiquitous information 10/13 (Sunday)

Mod 3 Group report of information seeking behavior 10/15 (Tuesday)

Mod 3 Book Review (draft for expected revision) 10/22 (Tuesday)

Mod 4 Essay on information ethics 11/3 (Sunday)

Mod 4 Individual outline for research 11/5 (Tuesday)

Mod 4 Thought piece 11/10 (Sunday)

Mod 4 Essay on signicant interpreter and method 11/26 (Tuesday)

Mod 5 Resubmission of book review 12/3 (Tuesday)

Mod 5 Presentation on interpreter and method 12/3, 10 (Tuesday)

Mod 5 Group case study project 12/13 (Friday)


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Keep a sharp eye on this schedule so that you dont miss anything!

Meeting Sc edule (Tuesday evenings, 6:30 to 9:15, WBC 127)

Date Content, Readings, and Deliverables

August 27 Reception : The GST and Campus Bookstore will host a reception for IGBS students and aguest from 6:30 to 7:30; information will be provided via announcements and email.

Technical Support : A campus info tech specialist will take time to hook us up.

Syllabus : We will spend time reviewing the syllabus, discussing expectations, describing projects, and getting familiar with the Blackboard course site.

Managing Your Time . An essential skill we will work to develop throughout the semester.

Introductions : Perhaps it seems backwards, but were saving the best for last!

September 3 Module 1: Critical Thinking (1)

Introducing Graduate Biblical Studies . The Camp text will serve as a framework for consid-ering what to expect in graduate-level theological studies.

Joining the Conversation . Well discuss the dialogical nature of theological reection.

Exercise : Discussion board; critical questioning; hospitality and GST; library tour

Pre-class preparation :

Watch the video Critical Questioning, IGBS (Mod 1 folder)

Read Camp, Finding Your Way (all)

Read Thielicke, A Little Exercise (all)

Read Foster, Study, Celebration of Discipline (Mod 1 Readings)

Read Hall, What is Theology? (Mod 1 Readings)

Pre-class deliverable(s) : Asking and Answering Critical Questions (Discussion Board)

September 10 Module 1: Critical Thinking (2)

Deep Thinking about Critical Thinking . Presuppositions, lenses, and other paraphernalia

Paradigms and Methods in Biblical Studies . Realizing a variety of approaches to biblicalstudies, presented by Dr. Jim Dvorak

Exercise : Arguing with an Author; critical thinking drills; IGBS vocabulary, using Tate, etc.


Read Laura and Chapman, The Technologisation of Education (Mod 1 Readings)

Be sure to bring your copy of Tate ( Interpreting the Bible ) to class Pre-class deliverable(s) : Arguing with an Author (submit via Blackboard)

In-class deliverable(s ): Book Review selection (see list provided by instructor)


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September 17 Module 2: Reective Reading (1)

Teaching with Books, Learning with Books . Pleasure and pain of reading like you mean it

Information Resources for Theologians and Scholars. Survey the scope, books and beyond

Exercise : PPP; Hallmarks of Bad Scholarship, Brown, Guide to Writing (81-98); hospitality

Pre-class preparation:

Read Adler, How to Read (Preface; 3-56; 75-167)

Read Lewis on reading old books (Mod 2 Readings)

Read Goatly, Critical Reading (Mod 2 Readin gs)

Watch Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Sources (Mod 2 folder)

Watch Researching General to Specic (Mod 2 folder)

Pre-class deliverable(s) : Interacting with a Scholarly Blog (Discussion Board)

September 24 Module 2: Reective Reading (2)

The Art (and Science) of Reading Scripture . Bible-brained reading gets an aesthetic eye

Spiritually Formative Graduate Studies . Shopping malls, stadiums, and gut-learning

Exercise : PPP; comparative readings, Augustine and Ehrman; lectio divina ; into the dark...


Read Davis and Hays, Nine Theses on Interpretation (Mod 2 Readings)

Read Calhoun, Devotional Reading (Mod 2 Readings)

Read Jones on sacred reading (Mod 2 Readi ngs)

Read Peterson, Eat This Book , ch.6-7 (Mod 2 Readings) Pre-class deliverable(s) : The art of reading Scri pture (Discussion Board)

In-class deliverable(s) : Response to lectio divina

October 1 Module 2: Reective Reading (3)

Uncovering Rhetoric . Recognizing the structures of persuasion embedded in texts

Writing a Book Review . Quelling terror by examining the bones

Exercise : PPP; Rhetorical Strategies Exercise; outlining for research; eye of the beholder...


Watch How to Write a Book Review (Mod 2 folder) Watch What genres are and what they do, parts 1 and 2 (Mod 2 folder)

Watch Outlining for Research (Mod 2 folde r)

Pre-class deliverable(s): Rhetorical Strategies Exercise (submit via Blackboard)


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October 8

OC QuestLectureship,

October 6-8

Module 3: Effective Research (1)

Information Literacy for Ministry and Scholarship . Understanding the basics

Library Orientation. A while in my world

Exercise : PPPS; Discussion board responses; book worms and scavengers in the stacks


Read Badke, Research Strategies (Preface; 1-31; 136-60)

Read Al-Hawamdeh, Information and Knowledge Society (Mod 3 Readings)

Read Quick Tip: Writing in Groups (Mod 3 Readings)

Read Jacobs, Christianity and the Future of the Book (Mod 3 Readings)

Pre-class deliverable(s ): Personal Information Seeking Behavior (Discu ssion Board)

October 15

OC Fall Break,

October 10-11


Using Online Tools: Database Research . Introduction to electronic library resources

Baby Steps with Kate Turabian . Initial introduction to the exciting world of formatting

Exercise : Review discussion postings; scavenging the digital world; Turabian x-it


Read Brown, Guide to Writing (1-53)

Read Turabian, A Manual for Writers (12-61; familiarize chapters 16 and 17)

Pre-class deliverable(s) : Ubiquitous Information (Discussion Board)

In-class deliverable(s ): Group Report of Information Seeking Behavior (one per group)

October 22

OC WorldMission Work-shop,

October 24-26


Using Online Tools: The Internet . Making effective use of powerful online resources

Source Evaluation: Critical Thinking in an Information Age . The good, bad, and ugly

Wonderful, Wonderful Wikipedia . Understanding the tools strengths and limitations

Exercise : Scavenging the digital world; evaluation exercises; Wikipedia citation tracking


Read Evison, Digital Revolution (Mod 3 Readings)

Complete Internet Detective tutorial

Watch Evaluating Web Sources Read Maehre, What it Means to Ban Wikipe dia (Mod 3 Readings)

In-class deliverable(s) : Book Review Draft


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October 29 Module 4: Skillful Writing (1)

Did God really say Thou shalt not plagiarize? Unpacking a pickle

Gender-Exclusive Language and Other No-nos in Academic Writing .

Further Steps with Turabian . Title page, headings, and reference page formatting

Exercise : Plagiarism group work; identifying inclusive language; Turabian x-it


Read Johns, Gender Language in Bible Translation (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Snavely, God Language (Mod 4 Readings)

Read White and Burtchaell, Linguistic Injustice (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Long, Stolen Goods (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Phillips, Plagiarism and Theological Education (Mod 4 Readings)

In-class deliverable(s): Using databases, locate and read either one article on plagiarismor one article on gender-inclusive language; prepare to offer a 150 word oral summary

November 5 Module 4: Skillful Writing (2)

Even Bigger Steps with Turabian . Annotations and bibliographies

Types of Texts in Graduate Studies . Knowing the genre, writing with purpose

Outlining for Research and Writing . Perhaps one of the most worthwhile skills to develop

Exercise : Review plagiarism essays; annotated bibliography; outlining, group work; debate

Pre-class deliverable(s) : Essay on Information Ethics (submit via Blackboard)

In-class deliverable(s) : Individual Outline for Research


Essay Analysis. Comparing the construction of well-written (and not-so-well-written) essays

Great Big Steps with Turabian . Drafting, proofreading, and proong again

Interpreters and Methods . Another look at who, what, when, where, why, and how

Exercise : Review thought piece submissions; essay analysis, group work; tips for good writing

Pre-class preparation (read three of the following):

Read Hauerwas and Willimon, Embarrassed by the Church (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Bender, Seminary and Congregation (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Wilson, Globalization for Global Community (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Root, Theology of the Cross and Ministry in Our Time (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Swenson, Biblically Challenged (Mod 4 Readings)

Read Sweet, Uneasy Alliance (Mod 4 readings)

Pre-class deliverable(s) : Thought Piece (submit via BB)


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Notes on your essays . Polishing them up for our big presentations

Creating a compelling presentation . Wowing your audience with a riveting, visual project

Case Study Projects . Explanation and discussion of our class nal

Exercise : Critique instructor presentation; group brainstorm, case analysis


Watch Creating a Compelling Presentation

Read Vhymeister, Case Study (Mod 5 Readings)

Pre-class deliverable(s) : Essay on Signicant Interpreter and Method

November 26 No class; Thanksgiving Holiday

December 3 Module 5: Compelling Presentation (1)Student Presentations, part 1

Spirituality for Ministry and Scholarship . Devotional thoughts as we end the semester

Exercise : Peer feedback on presentations


Read Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus (Mod 5 Readings)

Pre-class deliverable(s ): If presenting, submit your project via Blackboard prior to class

In-class deliverable(s) : Resubmission of Book Review

December 10 Module 5: Compelling Presentation (2)

Student Presentations, part 2

Spirituality for Ministry and Scholarship . More devotional thoughts as we end the semester

Exercise : Peer feedback on presentations; information literacy assessment; course evaluation


Read Schultze, Habits of the High-Tech Heart (Mod 5 Readings)

Read Frambach, Models of Leadership (Mod 5 Readings)

Pre-class deliverable(s) : If presenting, submit your project via Blackboard prior to class

In-class deliverable(s) : Group case study project (submit one per group)


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Modul Objectives

Module Focus and Objectives

Mod 1 Critical thinking for theological studies

students will be able to describe aspects of critical thinking that apply to theological studies students will recognize and assess personal presuppositions about biblical and graduate studies

students will employ critical thinking skills to identify specic cultural, historical, intellectual, and

religious factors that inform specic scholarly positions and then critique these positions

students will identify and discuss a specic scholars argumentation or rhetorical strategy

students will become familiar with various models for biblical interpretation

Mod 2 Engaging texts through reective reading

students will be able to describe strategies for deeply engaging written scholarly materials

students will be able to identify the types of information resources useful for biblical scholarship

students will effectively review a selected book

students will be able to identify text types available in the corpus of biblical literature students will become familiar with various strategies for meaningful biblical reading

Mod 3 Information literacy for effective research

students will discuss the impact of ubiquitous information on ministry and biblical studies

students will demonstrate awareness of when and what kind of information is needed

students will show comprehension of formulating research questions

students will formulate problem, purpose, and signicance statements to frame a research project

students will show comprehension of how to conduct general to specic research

students will reect on personal information seeking behavior

students will demonstrate effective use of both print and online tools for locating information re-

sources (indexes, databases, Web searches, etc.)

students will demonstrate an ability to evaluate the scholarship and reliability of resources

students will recognize specic types of research and writing for biblical studies and ministry

(exegesis, descriptive research, program development, case study, issues papers, and reviews)

students will thoughtfully engage issues regarding information ethics (plagiarism, copyright, etc.)

students will demonstrate familiarity with and effective use of Turabian formatting

Mod 4 Techniques and strategies for skillful writing

students will demonstrate effective essay organization and composition

students will engage and analyze a variety of scholarly essays

students will research and write on both an interpretive model and a signicant interpreter

students will demonstrate editing skills as they prepare a resubmission of a book review

students will organize thoughts and compose a persuasive thought piece

students will contemplate the relationship between church and seminary, considering the loca-

tion of both within the context of an information society


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Modul Objectives

Mod 5 Presenting information and working a case study as a community of learners

students will discuss the transforming habits of thinking theologically

students will be introduced to spiritually forming practices that empower educational experience

students will demonstrate effectiveness in both oral and visual presentations

students will work together to analyze a case, discuss theological implications, and propose sug-

gestions for how congregation leaders should deal with the cases situation

students will complete an assessment of information literacy skills at end of course


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Guidelines for Projects and Deliverables

The following descriptions of expectations for projects and deliverables will be posted in Blackboard for

each module. They are provided in the syllabus for the sake of reference.

MOD D E L I VE R AB LE NAME D ES CRI P TI ON

1 Arguing with an author: critical en-gagement of selected essay

Provides an opportunity for students to apply critical

questioning skills for engaging a selected scholarly

essay.

Instructions : Obtain both essay and worksheet for

this assignment from appropriate folder in Blackboard;

submit completed worksheet to instructor(s) by due

date; upload to Blackboard .

1 Asking and answering criticalquestions

Discussion Forum 2, in which discussion members

work together to determine what questions are most

appropriate for engaging specied texts (biblical texts,

scholarly writings, podcasts or other media).

Instructions : In Blackboard, access Discussion Forum

2; each student is required to post an initial comment

to the question(s) and then to provide a +1 comment

on at least one classmates response

Note : +1 comments show real engagement of a

classmates ideas by offering new insight or by chal-

lenging the classmates position with a question; +1comments are much more than a simple I agree or I

really liked what you said. Discussion forums are

successful when students are committed to offering

more than the bare minimum requirements.

1 Select book for review and emailinstructors with title of choice (notfor grade)

As a major project, students will prepare a critical re-

view of an approved book.

Instructions : Access guidelines for this project in

Blackboard; students may either select a book from

the list of instructors recommendations or choose a

different book per instructors approval.


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2 Interacting with a scholarly blog Discussion Forum 3, in which students will locate andconsider a scholarly blog from an individual or com-

munity of biblical/theological scholars.

Instructions : Complete assigned readings; access

Discussion Forum 4; follow instructions to individually

locate a scholarly blog and then respond to the

prompt question(s), followed by a +1 comment to at

least one classmate.

2 The art of reading Scripture Discussion Forum 4, in which students will interactwith readings that provide direction for meaningful

engagement of Scripture.

Instructions : Complete assigned readings; access

Discussion Forum 3; each student will respond toprompt question(s) and then provide a +1 comment to

at least one classmate.

2 Response to lectio divina Individuals will have a chance to engage the ancient,spiritually formative exercise of lectio divina , the sa-

cred reading of Scripture.

Instructions : Complete assigned readings; review

guidelines for the assignment by accessing the folder

for lectio divina in Blackboard; complete the work-

sheet and submit to instructor(s) by due date.

2 Rhetorical strategies exercise Students will analyze three types of persuasive argu-ment (from Scripture, a scholarly article, and an online

resource like a podcast or video) to determine the

authors rhetorical strategy.

Instructions : Watch video What genres are and what

they do; review guidelines for the assignment by ac-

cessing the folder Rhetorical Strategies in Blackboard;

locate readings/media, complete the worksheet; sub-

mit to instructor(s) by due date; upload to Blackboard .


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3 Book Review (draft for expectedrevision)

Students will draft a critical review of the book they

each selected in Module 1 and submit this draft for

comments and expected revision.

Instructions : access the folder Book Review in

Blackboard; use the instructions and example(s) pro-

vided to draft a critical review of the book you se-

lected; follow all guidelines; submit the review to in-

structor(s) by the due date; upload to Blackboard .

3 Ubiquitous information Discussion Forum 5, in which students will have achance to consider the nature of information in an in-

formation society, information overload, and how to

discern when and what kind of information is needed.

Instructions : Complete assigned readings ; accessDiscussion Forum 5; thoroughly answer prompt ques-

tion(s) and then provide a +1 comment for at least one

classmate.

3 Personal information seeking be-havior

Discussion Forum 6, in which students will have a

chance to contemplate and discuss their own informa-

tion seeking behaviors.

Instructions : access Discussion Forum 6; follow

guidelines for composing a brief description of per-

sonal information seeking behavior; read all other

classmate postings.

3 Group report: evaluation of indi-vidual info seeking behavior

Students will work together to analyze, compare, and

contrast their various information seeking behaviors

and then draw conclusions.

Instructions : Review the reading from Booth (Quick

Tip: Writing in Groups); access guidelines for this

assignment in the Blackboard folder entitled Report:

Information Seeking Behavior; use Discussion Forum

6 to work together to compose and edit a report on

the group members info seeking behaviors; chooseone group member to submit report to instructor(s) by

due date; upload to Blackboard ; be sure to include all

group members names on the report.


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4 Essay on information ethics Information ethics includes the idea of plagiarism,but also refers to a broader category of concepts.

Students will have opportunity to consider the scope

of information ethics and to comment on how theseideas impact ministry and biblical studies.

Instructions : Complete the assigned readings; review

the guidelines in Blackboard under Information Eth-

ics; submit the essay to instructor(s) by the due date.

4 Individual outline for research Students will identify an issue within a suggested min-istry setting and then propose a topic for research.

They will frame their proposal with critical questions as

well as problem, purpose, and signicance state-

ments, and will include a 150 word topic summary

from a general resource.

Instructions : Review guidelines in Blackboard folder

entitled Outlining for Research; submit outline with

all necessary components to instructor(s) by due date.

Note: be sure to cite the general resource used for this

assignment in proper Turabian format.

4 Thought piece

Possible topics include community, minis-

try, and the information age; the relation-ship between the church and seminary;gender exclusive/inclusive language inbiblical studies and ministry; wrestlingwith graduate theological studies; etc.Consult with instructor for topic approval.

Students will have an opportunity to compose a

thought piece, an exercise in contemplation, critical

thinking, and the written presentation of ideas.

Instructions : Read the assigned materials; review the

guidelines for this assignment in the Blackboard folder

entitled Thought Piece; submit essay to instructor(s)

by due date; upload to Blackboard .

4 Essay on signicant interpreterand method

Students will learn about a signicant interpreter and

his/her specic model for biblical interpretation and

write an essay report on their selected person/focus.

Instructions : Read the assigned materials; review the

guidelines for this assignment in the Blackboard folder

entitled Method and Interpreter; submit essay to

instructor(s) by due date; upload to Blackboard .


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5 Resubmission of book review Students will be able to practice good editing skills tohone their writing by preparing a resubmission of their

book review assignment. The goal is to produce a

review that is of publishable quality.

Instructions : Review the guidelines for this assign-

ment in the Book Review folder in Blackboard; make

changes to review based on feedback from instruc-

tor(s); schedule appointment with the OC Writing Cen-

ter, The Writers Block, and make necessary revi-

sions; resubmit review to instructor(s) by the due date.

5 In-class presentation on interpre-

tive method and signicant inter-

preter

Students will prepare a class presentation on their

selected interpretive method and interpreter that em-

ploys some type of media (Power Point, Key Note,

etc.) 10 minute presentations followed by a 5 minute

question and answer period will be offered in class.

Instructions : Watch the video Creating a Visual Pres-

entation; review guidelines for in-class presentations

in Blackboard folder entitled Presentations; all pres-

entations must be given in class (i.e., late presenta-

tions are not possible).

5 Community: case study project Students will work as a community to complete thenal project for the course. This project employs

Nancy Vhymeisters four categories for critically en-gaging a case study, observation , analysis , interpreta-

tion , and action . The case is based upon a real life

ministry situation, and students will be using the skills

they have acquired in this course to present how they

might handle the cases practical ministry issue.

Instructions : Selected groups assign responsibilities

and set a time-line for completing this project; review

the guidelines for this project in the Blackboard folder

entitled Case Study; submit nal project to instruc-

tor(s) by due date.


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Grading

G R A D I N G S C A L E

93-100 A Excellent level of achievement

84-92 B Average level of achievement

75-83 C Below average level of achievement

below 75 F Failure

G R A D E W E I G H T B Y A S S I G N M E N T

Participation 5%

Graduate students are expected to attend class meetings and to thoughtfully en-

gage discussion. It should go without saying that attendance and participation are

both vital for establishing and supporting a rich community of learning. As Scrip-

ture says, iron sharpens iron.

Please notify instructors if you will not be able to attend class sessions.

5%

Community discussion 10%

Asking and answering critical questions 2%

The art of reading Scripture 2%

Interacting with a scholarly blog 2%

Ubiquitous information 2%

Personal information seeking behavior 2%

Worksheets 20%

Arguing with an author 5%

Response to lectio divina 5%

Rhetorical strategies exercise 5%

Individual outline for research 5%


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G R A D E W E I G H T B Y A S S I G N M E N T

Essays 15%

Essay on information ethics 5%

Essay on signicant interpreter and method 5%

Thought piece on community, ministry, and the information age 5%

Minor Projects 20%

Book Review draft 10%

Group report: evaluation of individual info seeking behavior 10%

Major Projects 30%

Resubmission of book review 10%

Presentation on Interpreter and Method 10%

Community: case study project 10%

100% Total

Assessment

Deliverables will be assessed by rubric, and an electronic copy of both the graded assignment and therubric will typically be returned to the student via Blackboard, email, or in person.

Further Resources

For additional resources, see the IGBS LibGuide as well as the course links accessed via Blackboard.


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Course Policies

A.! Communication & Ofce Policies for BIBL-5013-01

1.! Email! The best way to contact your instructor is by email. Whenever possible, your in-

structor will respond within 24 hrs. of receiving an email message. Do not waituntil the "last minute" (e.g. just before class time) to send an email and expect animmediate answer or that the instructor even received the message. Please in-clude a meaningful, yet succinct subject line.

2.! Phone! Students may call the instructor on his ofce phone (see page 1 of syllabus). If

unavailable, you are encouraged to leave a voicemail message including yourname and the reason for your call.

3.! Ofce Hours

Students should feel free to stop by the instructors ofce for consultation. Notethat I am often at the library Reference Desk and do not necessarily keep specicofce hours. It is best to email or call in advance to make an appointment to en-sure that the instructor will be available.

B.! Late Work and Missed Assignments Policy

1.! The discipline of completing work on time is an important lesson to master. Alldeliverables are due on the date assigned. In the event of late work, the studentmust notify the instructor of his or her impending lateness and excuse prior tothe due date of the deliverable. Acceptance of late work is at the discretion of theinstructor. Good communication with instructors is important; we encouragestudents to contact their instructor if they know that an assignment will be late.

2.! Again, good communication with your instructor is vital, and I encourage you tocontact me if you are unable to participate in a discussion board forum or miss anassignment due to a prolonged emergency situation. !

C.! Laptop/Handheld/Phone Policy

1.! You are strongly encouraged to use your laptops or handheld device in the classfor the purpose of learning. If you are abusing this privilege then you may beforced to revert to more ancient technologies.

2.! Turn off all IM/SMS/VoIP/Messaging applications, unless your instructors ask you to use them as part of the course.

3.! Put your phones on silent/vibrate. You may not take calls during class unless it isan emergency. In such cases, please leave the room for your conversation.

4.! Keep your laptops running well! If your laptop fails because of some virus, spy-ware, or not having the latest software updates installed you may experiencenegative consequences (e.g. you might lose work!)


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D.! Academic Honesty

1.! Cheating

Cheating on an examination or an assignment undermines the ethics of the acad-emy and the specic Christian purposes of Oklahoma Christian University. Ac-cordingly, students who cheat on exams or assignments will face serious conse-quences, as outlined below.

2.! Plagiarism

One particular form of cheating is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the transmission of another's ideas, words, or materials as one's own and/or the failure to credit ac-curately the ideas, words, or materials of another. Plagiarism also includes pass-ing off another's work (a friend, a parent, a Web site) as one's own. Plagiarismundermines the ethics of the academy and the specic Christian purposes of Oklahoma Christian University. Accordingly, students who cheat on exams orassignments will face serious consequences, as outlined below.

3.! Penalties for Academic Dishonesty

1. On the rst offense, the student will receive a 0 for the exam or assignment.The professor will send documentation of the rst offense to the appropriatechair, the dean of the appropriate college, the Vice President for AcademicAffairs, and the Dean of Students.

2. On the second offense, the student will receive and "F" in the course. Theprofessor will send documentation of the rst offense to the appropriatechair, the dean of the appropriate college, the Vice President for AcademicAffairs, and the Dean of Students.

3. If the student receives an "F" in two courses for academic dishonesty, s/hewill be suspended from the university.

E.!

ADA/504 StatementIf you have a diagnosed disability, please notify Ms. Amy Janzen (425-5907) before orimmediately after your rst scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been veri-ed, your instructor will work with you, Ms. Janzen, and the Ofce of the Vice Presidentfor Academic Affairs (425-5460) to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure that youhave a fair opportunity to perform in the course.

F.! Copyright NoticeCopyright 201213 Oklahoma Christian University (the University) as to all course ma-terials and lectures whether distributed in class, on Blackboard, or by any other means.All rights are reserved. The University prohibits anyone from selling notes or being paidfor taking notes without the express written permission of the University. Violation of

copyright laws could subject a person to federal and state civil penalties and criminalliabilities as well as disciplinary action under University policies. The University holdsthe exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the above works and tomake derivative works based on those works. The work may be copied, viewed, and/ordownloaded for the educational and research purposes only by a current student of theUniversity. Class lectures and other activities may not be recorded, copied or distributedwithout written permission of the professor and dean.


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Full Citations for Readings and Resources

Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book,rev. ed . New York: Touchstone: 1972.

Al-Hawamdeh, Suliman, and Thomas L. Hart. Information and Knowledge Society. Singapore: Boston, 2002.

Badke, William B. Research Strategies: Finding Your Way Through the Information Fog. New York: IUniverse,! Inc, 2008.

Bender, Ross T. "Seminary and congregation: Communities of discernment." Mennonite Quarterly Review ! 39, no. 3 (July 1, 1965): 163-180.

Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. Chicago guides to! writing, editing, and publishing. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.

Brown, Scott G. A Guide to Writing Academic Essays in Religious Studies. New York: Continuum, 2008.

Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. Downers Grove, IL:! InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Camp, Phillip G. Finding Your Way: A Guide to Seminary Life and Beyond. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2009.

Core, Deborah. The Seminary Student Writes . St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2000.

Davis, Ellen F., and Richard B. Hays. The Art of Reading Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Evison, Ian S. "The digital revolution: Changing the "how" of ministry, not the "what." Congregations 27, no.! 3 (May 1, 2001): 20-21.

Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline. New York: Harper Collins, 1998.

Frambach, Nathan C P. "Models of leadership for the congregation." Word & World 20, no. 4 (September 1,

! 2000): 379-389.

Goatly, Andrew. Critical Reading and Writing: An Introductory Coursebook . London: Routledge, 2000.

Hall, Douglas John. "What is theology?." Cross Currents 53, no. 2 (June 1, 2003): 171-184.

Hauerwas, Stanley, and William H. Willimon. "Embarrassed by the church: Congregations and the! seminary." Christian Century 103, no. 5 (February 5, 1986): 117-120.

Jacobs, Alan. "Christianity and the future of the book." New Atlantis: A Journal Of Technology & Society 33,! (Fall 2011): 19-36.

Johns, Donald A. "Understanding the controversy over gender language in Bible translation." Journal Of !

Religious & Theological Information6, no. 1 (December 2003): 43-53. Jones, Tony. The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.

Laura, Ronald S., and Amy Chapman. "The technologisation of education: Philosophical reections on! being too plugged in." International Journal of Children's Spirituality 14, no. 3 (Aug 2009): 289-98.

Lewis, Clive Staples. Introduction to The Incarnation of the Word of God, being the treatise of St. Athanasius,! De incarnatione Verbi Dei , by Athanasius and Penelope Lawson, xi-xix. New York: Macmillan: 1946.I n t r o d u c t i o n t o G r a d u a t e B i b l i c a l S t u d i e s ! C o u r s e P l a n , F a l l 2 0 1 3

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Long, Thomas G. "Stolen goods: Tempted to plagiarize." Christian Century 124, no. 8 (April 17, 2007): 18-21.

Lyons Sr., Kirk D. "Pauls confrontation with class." Cross Currents (Spring 2006): 116-132.

Maehre, Jeff. "What it means to ban Wikipedia." College Teaching57, no. 4 (Fall 2009): 229-236.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. In the Name of Jesus: Reections on Christian Leadership. New York: Crossroad, 1989.Peterson, Eugene H. Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,! 2006.

Phillips, Robert. "Plagiarism and theological education." Journal of Religious & Theological Information5, no.! 2 (January 1, 2002): 3-12.

Place, E., Kendall, M., Hiom, D., Booth, H., Ayres, P., Manuel, A., Smith, P. "Internet Detective: Wise up to! the Web. Intute Virtual Training Suite, http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/index.html ! (accessed August 18, 2010).

Root, Andrew. "A theology of the cross and ministry in our time: How do you call a thing what it is!

when you don't know what the thing is?." Dialog: A Journal Of Theology48, no. 2 (Summer 2009):!

! 187-193.

Schultze, Quentin J. Habits of the High-Tech Heart: Living Virtuously in the Information Age. Grand Rapids:! Baker Books, 2002.

Snavely, Cynthia A. "God language: Expanding language, expanding concept." Journal Of Religious &! Theological Information6, no. 1 (December 2003): 55-68.

Swenson, Kristin. "Biblically challenged." Christian Century 126, no. 22 (November 3, 2009): 22-25.

Sweet, Leonard I. "Seminary & congregation: Uneasy alliance." Theology Today40, no. 4 (January 1, 1984):! 426-430.

Tate, W. Randolph. Interpreting the Bible: A Handbook of Terms and Methods. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2006.

Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago: University of ! Chicago Press, 2007.

Vyhmeister, Nancy J. Your Indispensable Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and! Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.

White, James F., and James T. Burtchaell. "Linguistic injustice": An exchange." First Things: A Monthly! Journal Of Religion & Public Lifeno. 8 (December 1990): 11-13.

Wilson, Henry S. "Globalization for global community: A challenge to ministerial formation." Currents In! Theology And Mission30, no. 3 (June 1, 2003): 173-179.

Yaghjian, Lucretia B. Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. New York:! Continuum, 2006.

http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/index.htmlhttp://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/index.html

Documents

Syllabus IGBS Fall 2013