WRSP 880 Note: Course content may be changed, term to term, without notice. The information below is provided as a guide for course selection and is not binding in any form, and should not be used to purchase course materials. Page 1 of 7
COURSE SYLLABUS WRSP 880 INTRODUCTION TO THE THESIS WRITING PROJECT COURSE DESCRIPTION An introduction to the Thesis Writing Process and how ministry is enhanced using current electronic resources. Students will be introduced to all phases of the DWS Thesis writing process, including the thesis timeline, research, writing your thesis, and the finished product, including the abstract and the vita. Students will become familiar with the Thesis Manual and with resources available to them through the library and the Liberty University Writing Center. Use of electronic databases for ministry research and Turabian Formatting will be introduced. RATIONALE It is vital that each student understand the dissertation writing process. This course will assist each student in having a complete and thorough understanding of how to write your dissertation to the last phase of defense. Students will have key instructors who will demonstrate how to accomplish the IRB Application, and how to develop first-rate surveys and other research data. This course will demonstrate and give guidance through on-hand application and instructional student learning skills on the steps of the Dissertation Project. I. PREREQUISITES For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog. II. III. IV. REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment B. Internet access (broadband recommended) C. Microsoft Office MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A. Employ basic general writing and research skills. Page 2 of 7
B. Analyze sample proposals and each element of the thesis. C. Formulate three research questions. D. Design a research plan and select appropriate methodology. E. Evaluate the project s potential contribution to the existing body of literature. V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. Course Requirements Checklist After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1. B. Topic Inquiry Study The student will complete a Topic Inquiry Study by using the 3 Topic Inquiry Worksheets. C. Abstract The student will write an abstract of 200 250 words describing the topic s description, rationale, the selected research approach, and the potential value to worship ministry. The abstract must be submitted as a Word document, and must adhere to current Turabian writing style as described in the required manual. D. Proposal Paper Drafts (2) Preparing for peer feedback is essential for a mutually beneficial learning experiences for the author and the reviewer. Therefore, the student will prepare a completed draft of the proposal paper to include a title page, abstract, introduction. background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, three research questions, significance of the study, definition of terms, assumptions, limitations. The paper must be between 12 15 pages. The student will email the proposal paper to an assigned student in the class for review. The student will consult the current Turabian writing manual for formatting and writing style guidance and will examine sample works on Blackboard. One draft in Module/Week 3 and the second in Module/Week 5. E. Literature Review Charts (16) Building a strong, relevant, and current collection of scholarly sources is imperative for a strong beginning of the writing process. Therefore, the student will identify 16 scholarly sources and complete 16 literature review charts using the templates provided for the following: 1. Four journal articles (at least two published within the last five years) 2. Four abstracts of dissertations/ theses, and main portions of the dissertations (at least two published within the last five years) 3. Four books (at least two published within the last five years) Page 3 of 7
B. Partial Chapter 1 4. Four magazine articles (at least two published within the last five years) The student will submit a completed Chapter 1( The Introduction Chapter of the Dissertation) containing the title page, abstract, introduction, background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, 3 research questions, significance of the study, definition of terms, assumptions, limitations, and a working bibliography citing only the works referenced within the chapter. The chapter will be between 20 25 pages. The student will consult the current Turabianwriting manual for formatting and writing style guidance and will examine sample works on Blackboard. The paper must adhere to the current Turabian writing manual for formatting and writing style, and must be submitted in a Word document. F. Proposal PowerPoints (2) The student will create a PowerPoint Presentation that systematically outlines the proposal bullet points that identify the title, statement of primary research question, significant of the question, core concepts, working hypothesis, method, research plan, and bibliography. One accompanies the paper in Module/Week 5 and the Final in Module/Week 7 G. Peer Reviews (2) Receiving feedback from peers is a valuable part of the learning and refining process in the development of the abstract and chapter one. Therefore, the student will complete one peer review as the reviewer by reading another student s proposal paper and assessing each item in the rubric, and the second peer review as a reviewer for another student s Chapter 1. The reviewer will enter comments on the draft by using the Review function in Word, complete the appropriate rubric, and upload to Blackboard as well as email the review rubric and paper with comments to the student-author. H. Mock Proposal Presentation In an effort to prepare the student for the final Proposal Presentation, the student will both present a mock presentation for a fellow student, and adjudicate the fellow student's presentation. The student will download Zoom and invite the fellow student to be a contact in an effort to conduct the proposal presentation via desktop conference using Zoom. The student will prepare a timed proposal presentation based on the proposal paper, to be presented with a corresponding PowerPoint. The adjudicating student will complete the Mock Proposal Rubric to assess the presenting student's presentation. I. Proposal Paper Final Building on the review feedback from Peer Review #1, the student will prepare a proposal paper to include: a title page, abstract, introduction, background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, three research questions, significance of the study, definition of terms, assumptions, and limitations. This Page 4 of 7
paper will correspond with the final version of the PowerPoint and unpack the bullet points. The paper must be between 12 15 pages. The student will consult the current Turabian writing manual for formatting and writing style guidance and will examine sample works on Blackboard. The paper will adhere to the Turabian writing manual for formatting and writing style, and must be submitted in a Word Document. J. Chapter 1 Final Draft The student will submit a completed Chapter 1 (The Introduction Chapter of the Dissertation) containing the title page, abstract, introduction, background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, three research questions, significance of the study, definition of terms, assumptions, limitations, and a working bibliography citing only the works referenced within the chapter. The chapter must be between 20 25 pages. The student will consult the current Turabian writing manual for formatting and writing style guidance and will examine sample works on Blackboard. The paper will adhere to the Turabian writing manual for formatting and writing style, and must be submitted in a Word Document. VI. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A. Points Course Requirement Checklist 10 Topic Inquiry Study 50 Abstract 50 Literature Review Charts 160 Proposal Paper Drafts Peer Review 1 50 Partial Chapter 1 50 Proposal PowerPoint Peer Review 2 50 Mock Proposal Presentation 50 Proposal Paper Final Proposal PowerPoint Final Chapter 1 Final Draft 140 TOTAL 1010 B. Grading Scale A = 940 1010 A- = 920 939 B+ = 900 919 B = 860 899 B- = 840 859 C+ = 820 839 C = 780 819 C- = 760 779 D+ = 740 759 D = 700 739 D- = 680 699 F = 0 679 C. Style Guidelines All assignments for this course are to be formatted in accordance with the LBTS Writing Guide and the latest edition of the Turabian style manual (A Manual for Page 5 of 7
Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations). Discussion assignments and essay examinations may use the parenthetical citation style. All other written assignments should use the footnote citation style. Supplemental writing aids are available via the Online Writing Center. D. Course Changes Course requirements are subject to change by the administration of the University at any time with appropriate notice. E. Disability Assistance Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online s Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport. Page 6 of 7
COURSE SCHEDULE WRSP 880 Textbooks: Creswell, Research Design. (2014). Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. MODULE/ WEEK READING & STUDY ASSIGNMENTS POINTS 1 Creswell: ch. 1 pp.11 20; ch. 2 Turabian; chs. 1 2 1 lecture note Course Requirements Checklist Class Introductions Topic Inquiry Study 10 0 50 2 Creswell: chs.4, 7; and Choose 1 Creswell: chs. 8 9, or 10 Turabian; chs. 3 5 Abstract 50 3 Creswell: chs. 5 6 Turabian: chs. 6 7 Literature Review Charts Proposal Paper Draft 1 160 4 Turabian: ch. 12 Peer Review 1 50 5 Turabian: ch. 13 Partial Chapter 1 Proposal Paper Draft 2 and PowerPoint 1 Peer Review 2 50 50 6 Mock Proposal Presentation 50 7 Proposal Paper Final Proposal PowerPoint Final 8 Chapter 1 Final Draft 140 TOTAL 1010 NOTE: Each course module/week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday. Page 7 of 7