Racism

Theological Position Paper (75 points)

Each student will also write a minimum 1800 word paper that thoroughly explains his or her theological position regarding the particular contemporary cultural issue addressed.  This paper should be an expansion of the students theological position articulated during ones presentation and include at least 5 additional scholarly sources than those connected the course pack or texts used in this course. Sources for your theological position paper, must be documented using the Turabian/Chicago Manual of Style and include a bibliography. Any theological position paper that does not follow proper formatting guidelines will automatically receive a 10% deduction. As the primary research element of this class, students will be expected to invest significant time in developing a position through research and thoughtfully supporting that position using the various elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Further details regarding the scope of research and the content of these papers will be discussed in weeks 7 and 8.

These papers will be graded as follows:

Articulated a Well-Reasoned Theological Position Regarding the Contemporary Cultural Issue

20 points

Theological Position Clearly and Reasonably Supported by the Various Elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral

20 points

Integration of 5 Quality Scholarly Resources to Support Personal Position as Cited in Bibliography (in addition to course pack or text).

15 points

Structure and Organization of Argument Made

10 points

Overall Quality of Writing (Punctuation, Grammar, Spelling, Bibliography, )

10 points

Total Points

75 points

In addition, your paper must be properly formatted, double-spaced, and cannot exceed a maximum of 2500 words.  (Please be advised that each Contemporary Issues Theological Position Paper not adhering to these stated expectations and formatting guidelines outlined in the Written Assignments section of the syllabus below will receive an automatic 10% deduction).  No late Contemporary Issues Theological Position Paper will be accepted.  Please consult the Written Assignments portion of this syllabus under Class Policies for more important details.

On the date your topic is due, each student must do the following to complete their submission requirements in Canvas:

Writing you Personal Position Paper
Gather you evidence and draw a conclusion
check
you math is this conclusion scriptural in a
way that reflects accurate input from the other
sources of truth
This conclusion becomes your thesis and should be
expressed in one sentence or so
Present your thesis in the first paragraph – lob the pitch
to yourself
Body of the paper is how the sources of truth, starting
with scripture support/develop this position
remember the baseball diamond: Scripture, Tradition,
Reason, Experience