ENGL 730 Christian Literary Tradition

An advanced knowledge of Christian literature is essential to a doctoral program in English at a Christian university. This course offers students comprehensive exposure to important texts and influential authors in the Christian tradition.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (7)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will submit an original thread of 500–550 words in response to the stated prompt. The thread must demonstrate course-related knowledge and evidence of engagement with course readings, and should have at least two citations.

In addition to this original thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads, including at least one citation from course readings in each. Each reply must be 250–300 words and must extend the discussion in some way, rather than merely cover the same ground as the original thread.

Textual Analysis Assignments (4)

The student will write a 2–3-page paper on a select passage, theme, or element in the text, shedding interpretive light on how that theme operates in the text. No secondary sources are required for this assignment, but current MLA formatting must be used.

Research Report Assignment

The student will share at least 10 sources they intend to use in the seminar paper. Each source needs to be summarized, discussed in terms of intended use in the paper, and analyzed in terms of its strengths and potential limitations in building a compelling, insightful seminar paper. The student must provide at least 200 words total across three paragraphs to discuss each specific source. Current MLA formatting must be used.

Seminar Paper: Topic Assignment

The student will choose a particular theme, element of the text, or literary trope that will be the foundation for the final paper. This topic submission must be 150-200 words and include at least 3 secondary sources as well as the primary source for developing the final paper. Current MLA formatting must be used.

Seminar Paper: Final Assignment

The student will write a 15–20-page paper expanding upon the topic selection and previous thinking around a text. This paper builds on the student’s work in the class, focusing very narrowly on a particular theme, element of the text, or literary trope. The student will incorporate at least 15 secondary sources as well as the primary source for developing this paper. This is a thesis-driven paper that seeks to offer an original argument about an aspect(s) of the text. Current MLA formatting must be used.