Reference no: EM133590766
Homework: Research Paper
Overview
You will complete a Research Paper based on the previously completed Annotated Bibliography and Outline. This paper must be 3,600 to 4,500 words, excluding the cover page, table of contents, and bibliography, contain at least 20 sources (excluding the Bible and course textbooks), and 8 of the 20 sources must be written within the last 10 years.
Instructions
The Purpose of a Theological Research Paper
The goal of a research paper is not merely to report about your readings or to list quotations (or paraphrases) related to your topic. Instead, a research paper must be a creative theological reflection on a relevant issue that recognizes the established scholars who helped you in that endeavor. Research papers must attempt to prove a point (thesis). They are not "surveys" of material. They must be thoroughly documented.
"Creative theological reflection" implies staying away from those academic cardinal sins:
Recycling: Submitting a paper that was originally written or submitted (even if it is in a different format) for another course without your instructor's permission.
Excessive direct quotations: A research paper is not intended to be just a collection of direct quotations of works that are not your own (even if they are well documented) with your only contribution to the process being well-formulated transitions between quotes along with an introduction and a conclusion. Only quote when absolutely necessary: when you cannot paraphrase the author's words without losing the substance of his or her thoughts or when your argument requires the exact wording of the writer.
Further Details
Misspellings, grammatical errors, poor syntax, excessive use of the first person, or failure to comply with all structural and content criteria will count against your grade.
You will find significant resource help through the Jerry Falwell Library website. The Jerry Falwell Library can assist you with questions regarding the use of online sources through the library or with ordering resources through interlibrary loan.
The paper must be submitted on Canvas before the deadline. A recent version of Microsoft Word or other compatible file formats is required (the instructor must be able to open your work in Microsoft Word).
The paper will be screened through software that checks to make sure your composition is original. Be sure that you have properly cited everything that you found in the sources you used in your research and composition of your paper.
Content Comments
The content of this paper must focus on 4 specific areas. First, you must identify a specific theological foundation of the Christian faith using a thesis statement (see list of possible topics in the Research Paper folder within the Homework Instructions folder). Second, you must summarize the key doctrinal aspects of your chosen topic. Third, you must include an evaluation of this chosen theological foundation as it relates to the ongoing conversation within historic and orthodox Christianity. Finally, you must demonstrate competence in interpreting biblical texts according to historical-critical literary standards as well as integrity in properly representing and documenting theological positions related to your chosen topic.