APOL 679 Apologetics Capstone

The goal of the MA in Christian Apologetics is to study the Scriptures and Christian thought with an aim toward defending Christianity’s truth-claims. This course seeks to bring together the cumulative knowledge and methods which the student has absorbed with the goal of responding to a specific question or problem facing Christianity. In constructing a specific, focused argument, the student will be able to implement research and argumentation strategies with the goal of both presenting and embodying truth through the argument and form of rhetoric used.

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussion

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the students will participate in 1 Discussion designed to help them refine their topic and thesis statement. Students will post a minimum 300-word thread explaining their research project and also post their thesis statement, along with reasons they believe the project will be successful. Each student will then reply to at least 2 classmates (200 words minimum, each) with feedback and constructive critique of the project. (CLO: A)

Book Critique Assignments (4)

The student will complete 4 book critiques on the select texts approved by the professor.  Each critique should be between 5 – 7 pages in length. (CLO: B)

Research Paper Assignments (9)

There are multiple parts to this assignment:

Topic Assignment 

The student will submit a topic that is related to the focus of the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program. (CLO: A)

Bibliography Assignment 

The student will complete a bibliography of initially at least 15 of the 30 minimum required resources for the project. The student will then select 4 of these sources to complete for the book critique assignments. (CLO: C)

Outline & Revised Thesis Assignment 

After reviewing the feedback from the instructor on the research topic assignment, the student will complete an initial outline and revised thesis statement for the paper. The outline should consist of an Introduction, at least 3 major sections, and a Conclusion. Headings should follow current Turabian format. (CLO: C)

First and Revised Draft Assignments

The student will complete first drafts – and revisions of each first draft – of at least three major sections of the research paper throughout the course. The draft should incorporate the student’s best possible work, and the revisions should incorporate any suggestions and criticisms offered by the instructor, as well any edits the student finds necessary. (CLO: C)

Research Paper Final Draft Entire Essay Assignment

As a final step in the process, the student will compile the previously revised documents and drafts and submit a completed 25-40 page Research Paper. The paper must include 7 sections: Title page, Table of Contents, Introduction (with thesis statement), Body (minimum of 3 sections), Conclusion, and Bibliography. This paper should contain at least 30 scholarly sources (not counting the Bible). (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Reading Report Assignment

The student will use the reading report template to document the books and articles the student has read, how many pages from each, and the total number of pages for the term. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Quizzes: Student Choice Videos Viewed

The student will complete a two-question quiz each week, a half point for each question, briefly describing the two short videos and whether/how they relate to the student’s final essay. (25-75 words for each quiz question.) (CLO: B, D)