Study Methods

Course Code: BGN01
Study Methods
BD I, Semester 1, 2 Non-Credit Hours, College Paper
(It is Compulsory for the College to submit the Marks through Online Portal)

Course Objectives

• This course will provide an introduction to the basics of study method for theological education.
• To provide tools for theological studies
• Understand theological studies as part of vocational formation and engage in disciplined and purposeful theological research to build up the people of God

Method of Teaching

• The course will follow A Manual for Researchers and Writers by Hunter P. Mabry (2 Bangalore: BTESSC, 2007) as text book. Students are advised to purchase a copy of the same.

Course Requirements

• Final Examination 60%
• Internal Assessment 40%

(Kindly note that marks of this subject will not be included in the calculation of Final Grade of Result, Mark Sheet and Transcript).

Note on Final Examination

• The final examination may be in the form of a project work to be done in the library for three hours on the day of the examination.

Course Outline

I. General introduction to study method

1. Why we need study method?
2. Hypothesis
3. Sources: primary and secondary, conventional and non-conventional
4. Review of Literature
5. Collection
6. Tabulation
7. Analysis
8. Subjective and objective method
9. Be familiar with the Serampore BD Regulation and Syllabi

II. Library

1. Locating sources: books, journals and other library resources like bibliographic data, resource books such as Old Testament Abstract, New Testament Abstract, etc
2. Introduction to the use of computers, software, internet, web, power point, catalogues, etc.
3. Finding useful tools for studies: dictionaries, lexicons, maps, etc

III. Reading, Listening, Writing Skills, Presentations

1. Reading Skills

a. Speed reading
b. Learning to skim-read
c. Reading efficiently
d. Reading for information
e. Reading for learning
f. Analysis, synthesize, evaluate what you read
g. Reading for action
h. Making Notes
i. Using Electronic Library

2. Listening Skills

a. Positive attitude
b. Attentiveness
c. Overcoming prejudice
d. Interaction
e. Concentration
f. Asking question
g. Note taking techniques

3. Writing Skills

a. Spellings, grammar, and hand writing
b. Writing a Book Report
c. Taking notes
d. Writing a book Review
e. Writing an articles, term papers, seminar papers, translations
f. Writing liturgy, sermons
g. Practical work report, verbatim
h. Length of statement
i. Choice of words
j. Use of layout
k. Variations for different readers
l. Foot Notes
m. Bibliography

4. Presentations

Lecture methods, paper presentations(seminar, consultations), group assignments, group study, power point, announcements

IV. Research and Writing

1. Primary and secondary sources
2. Looking for materials and storing information
3. Internet information and internet resources like ATLA
4. Everbatim, recording, audio-videos, field exposure, evaluation, etc.
5. Writing different genres (magazines, scholarly articles, reviews, semester and seminar papers, short theses, books)
6. Use ofinclusive language, italicize words from other languages
7. Citations: direct quote, paraphrasing, short citations and longer citations
8. Ideas or echoes of ideas borrowed from others
9. Importance of recognizing sources, direct or indirect
10. Plagiarism and its Penalties.
11. How to prepare an outline of a thesis?

1. Numbering
2. Introduction
3. Body
4. Conclusion

12. Editing: Spelling, Grammar, Composition, Style, etc. 1
13. Drafts: first, second, final.
14. Filing ofmaterials for future ministerial use

V. Thinking Theologically

1. Awareness of the Context ‘
2. Experience, purpose, motive, etc.
3. Theological methods

VI. Preparing for examinations

Bibliography

Alexander, Patrick. H., et al., eds. The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient, Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies. Peabody. MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999.

Banks, Robert. Reenvisioning Theological Education: Exploring a Missional Alternative to Current Models. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Barzun, Jacques and Henry F. Graff. The Modern Researcher. 5th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovahovich College Publishers, 1985.

Carr, Wesley. Handbook of Pastoral Studies: Learning and Practising Christian Ministry. London: SPCK, 1997.

Colless, Vivien and Adam Farrar. How to Right [Write] a Thesis. Sydney: University of Sydney, 1983.

Covey, Stephen. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Restoring the Character Ethic. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1989.

Elliott, Julia, ed. Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Friere, Paulo, Pedagogy of the oppressed.

Gefvert, Constance J. The Confident Writer: A Norton Handbook. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 1985.

Jackson, Philip. Life in Classrooms. New York: Rinehart and Winston, 1968.

Jenson, Ron. Make a Life, Not Just a Living. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.

Mabry, Hunter P. A Manual for Researchers and Writers.2nded. Bangalore: BTESSC, 2007

A Manual of Style. 12th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1969.

Chicago Manual of Style. 14th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1993.

Robey, Cora L., et al. New Handbook of Basic Writing Skills. 5th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt College Publishers, 1978.

Shaw, Perry. “The Hidden Curriculum of Seminary Education.” In Remapping Mission Discourse. Edited by Simon Samuel and P.V. Joseph. Dehradun: NTC/ISPCK, 2008.

Strunk Jr. William and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon,1979.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.

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