Course Description

This course provides students with an introduction to graduate-level research and bibliography methods. In addition, students will practice the primary forms of writing expected of graduate students.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

As Christian professionals, we bear a particular obligation to research, read, and write well so that the ideas and interpretations we advance within our career fields, whether specifically religious or secular, will bring credit to our faith and our Father. In-depth research into a variety of types of primary and secondary source material allows the student to situate him or herself as a professional by gaining a fuller understanding of the historical, theoretical, and critical implications of a text. Jointly, practice in the bibliography, empirical research, and other common forms of information gathering and usage will equip the student to process ideas thoughtfully and communicate them clearly within his or her profession.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. 1. Conduct in-depth textual research, using a variety of types of sources, in order to formulate a research question.
   2. Critically evaluate secondary sources appropriate to the student’s chosen field of interest.
   3. Describe and evaluate the contexts and significance of primary sources.
   4. Practice higher-level writing skills, including logic, proper integration of sources, and correct documentation, in conformity with the generic conventions of the field.
   5. Analyze and discuss research, writing, and vocation within the context of a Christian worldview.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

Before working through the checklist outlined in the Course Overview, the student should review the Liberty University curriculum.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided promptly for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to write two replies (see the individual discussions for more specific instructions). Each reply must be at least 100 words.

Quiz: Essay

The quiz will cover the Learn material for Module 2: Week 2. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5 essay questions, and have a 1-hour 30-minute time limit. Each essay must be at least 200 words.

Writing in Your Field Project: Proposal Assignment

The student will write a 2-page proposal that explains the topic choice, source types, and planned research methodology for the Writing in Your Field Project. The student will submit his or her proposal via Canvas to the instructor for approval. The student must cite 2–3 sources both in-text and in a reference page/works cited/bibliography.

Writing in Your Field Paragraph: Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Using the documentation style most commonly used in the chosen field, the student will correctly cite at least 10 sources that may be used in the Writing in Your Field Project. Each citation must be followed by a paragraph of at least 200 words that includes a brief summary, an evaluation, and an explanation of how the source will be used in the final piece.

Research Quick Guide Assignment

The student will create a 1–2-page, user-friendly guide to the basics of research task assessment, source selection, evaluation, and citation in the student’s chosen field. The student will be required to submit a list of citations for resources used in the creation of his or her research guide.

Writing in Your Field Project: Final Product Assignment

The student will write an 8–11-page work, incorporating at least 8 sources, appropriate to the student’s chosen field. Genre types may include academic papers (empirical or analytical), long-form journalistic pieces, business proposals, case studies, lesson plans, or any other genre that is appropriate to the field, with the instructor’s permission.