Course Title: Advanced Academic Writing

Course Description:
This course is designed to enhance the advanced academic writing skills of students pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Education with a focus on the English Language. Students will engage in a variety of writing tasks that are relevant to the field, including research papers, critical analyses, and theological reflections. Emphasis will be placed on developing clarity, coherence, and scholarly expression in written communication.

Unit 1: Foundations of Academic Writing (4 weeks)

Week 1-2: Understanding Academic Writing

Introduction to academic writing in the context of Christian Education
Key features of academic writing: clarity, precision, and critical thinking
Overview of academic writing styles and genres

Week 3-4: The Writing Process

Pre-writing strategies: brainstorming, outlining, and thesis development
Drafting and revising techniques
Peer review and collaborative writing exercises

Unit 2: Research and Scholarly Writing (4 weeks)

Week 1-2: Research Skills and Methods

Introduction to research methodologies in Christian Education
Finding and evaluating academic sources
Ethical considerations in research writing
Week 3-4: Writing a Research Paper

Crafting a research question and hypothesis
Structuring a research paper: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and conclusion
Citations and referencing in academic writing (APA or MLA style)
Unit 3: Specialized Writing in Christian Education (5 weeks)

Week 1-2: Theological Reflection and Analysis

Applying academic writing skills to theological reflections
Analyzing biblical texts and theological literature
Integrating personal experiences with theological insights

Week 3-4: Writing for Christian Education Contexts

Adapting academic writing for different audiences in Christian education
Writing lesson plans, curriculum materials, and educational resources
Communicating effectively in a Christian educational setting
Week 5: Final Project and Presentation

Students will work on a final project that integrates the skills learned throughout the course
Presentation of final projects with peer feedback
Assessment:

Participation and class activities: 20%
Assignments and writing exercises: 40%
Midterm Research Paper: 20%
Final Project and Presentation: 20%
Textbook:

"The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
"A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations" by Kate L. Turabian
Additional readings and resources provided during the course.