Syllabus

NATIVE EVANGELICAL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, TUMKUR.

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL STUDIES: STUDY METHOD

Course No: Class: Dip. I

Credit Hours: 2 Faculty: Rajesh V Babu

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is intended to help the students to understand and implement effective ways and
methods of learning therefore that they will be able to use the God given abilities and talents
and efficiently manage their time for maximized scholarship. It helps the students to be
disciplined learners by using innovative ways of learning in theological education. Providing
analytical knowledge and skill training in reading, writing and comprehension, this course
enables the students to be a disciplined learner and to use effective ways of learning to
maximize the learning impact.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to help the student to:
1. Expand a general understanding of the academic method of the Diploma Program.
2. To have a basis for preparing assignments, research paper, reading reports, book review etc.
3. Gain practical training in library skills and writing academic subjects.
4. Appreciate the self-study skills, through the use of library and writing.
5. Develop skills necessary for academic excellence.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOME
At the end of the course, the students will:
 Have specific knowledge and skills that will equip them to success in academics.
 Show the ability to function academically as a disciplined student.
 Show skills and habits that are essential for a Christian minister so that they are
committed to study well, enough to study and rightly divide the scripture.
 Grow in independent writing, reading, thinking and study.

COURSE OUTLINE WEEK-1

Unit-1 Introduction to Study Method
1. Introduction to Theological Education
2. Purpose and Nature of B TH. Program
3. Course Requirements and Assessments

WEEK-2
Unit-2 Library Orientation (Practical Exposure)
1. Types of Resources, Sections
2. Library Procedures (Cards, Manual Searching)
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3. Computer Searching
4. Library Rules
WEEK-3-5
Unit-3 Assignment- General Introduction
1. Locating Resources
2. Preparing an Outline
3. Bibliography and Referencing
WEEK-6 &7
Unit-4 Learning Skills
1. Listening (attentiveness, analytical thinking, lecture note-taking)
2. Reading (Quick, Selective, Skimming, Scanning, Surveying, Reciting, Reviewing...)
3. Thinking (Critical Thinking, Devotional, Reflective...)
4. Writing (Assignment, Reading Report, Book Review, Referencing…)
WEEK 8 & 9
Unit-5 Effective Learning Approaches
> Characteristics of a Successful Student.
> Improving Memory Capacity: Designing Mnemonics - Imagination, Association and Location,
Using Flash Cards to Remember Information, Using Acronyms to Remember Information.
> Time Management in Academic Tasks (Prepare a Term Calendar, Prepare a Weekly Schedule,
Prepare a Daily Organizer).
>Learning Environment (A Good Study Place, excessive procrastination, academic task-
breakdown, health factors)
WEEK 10 Unit-6 Preparing for Examination
1. Understanding the Instructions
2. Numbering Answers
3. Estimating Time
WEEK 11 & 12 Unit-7
Language Skills
1. Advantages of Language Proficiency
2. Expressions
3. Spelling and Grammar
4. Jargons
5. Headings, Sub-headings & numbering
6. Essay-Writing Rules 7. Rules on Paragraph Formulation
WEEK 13 Unit-8 Academic Integrity Plagiarism and other Academic Offenses
WEEK 14 Unit-9 Uses of Computer and Internet in Learning
WEEK 15 Unit-10 Paper Presentation Skills

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

Teaching methodology includes following methods to make learning more effective and
relevant to each student:

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1. An integral part of this course will be spent practicing the skills in reading, reviewing and
writing, note taking, note making, group work, using library, time management and scheduling
their work. All the activities and learning situations will be arranged to promote this purpose.
2. Students will be asked to write report on the reading that they have completed as well as to
read the specified text books and write a review.
3. There will be Library visit, lecture, discussion, reading and writing assignments, group
discussions, group assignments, etc.
4. There will be Audio-visual Presentations such as Power point presentations or showing Video
clips.

GRADING
 Class Work (40%): Three Assignments (10+10+10= 30 marks) and Class Test (10 marks).
 Final Examination (60%): This will cover the whole syllabus, lecture notes, assignments
and text book. Date of the Exam will be as per to the college schedule.

ASSIGNMENTS
For the successful completion of the course on Study Methods each student must fulfill the
following requirements:
1. Write a reading report on a book which is approved by the Lecturer in not more than 3
pages. Due Date ______________ (Marks: 10).
2. Write an essay on a topic of your choice from the list below applying the rules of Study
Methods including facing sheet, outline, format, referencing & bibliography, headings &
numberings and general rules of an essay. Due Date on __________. (Marks: 10).
3. Write bibliography and foot-notes for books with one author, books with more than one
author, books edited, encyclopedias, dictionaries, newspaper and magazine articles, web
reference on any subject. Due Date on ____________ (Marks: 10).
4. Class Test : (Marks:10)

ASSIGNMENT EVALUATION CRITERIA

 Proper footnotes and bibliography must be used to give due credits to the sources
referred and all kinds of plagiarism will be considered as a serious offence.
 Logical presentation of thoughts, coherence, language, referencing and
handwriting/layout of printing will be evaluated to grade each paper.
 Seminar paper must be printed or legibly written.
 Assignments, term papers, research papers, reading reports/ reviews, case studies, etc
must written/printed on one side of A4 paper.
 Minimum of 100 words on each page for hand written and 1 Inch margin and 1.5 line
spacing for printed assignments.
 Delay in submission of any course work will affect the grade.
 Students must be thorough with portions covered and ready for a surprise test anytime
during the semester.
 Class attendance and active participation are mandatory.

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  Printed notes will be given and students are free to take copies of it at their own
expense.

REQUIRED READINGS
Jaison, Jessy. Enjoy Your Research-A manual for Theological Students. Kerala: New India
Publications, 2000.
James, Emmanuel E. How to Study. Thiruvalla: GFA, 1996.
Mabry, H. P. A Manual for Researchers and Writers. Bangalore: BTE-SSC, 1999. Wood, Beulah.
Writing is an Art you can learn. Bangalore: Theological Book Trust, 1996.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Athungal, Geevarghese. Bible Research.
Hepper, P. Paul. et.al. Counseling Research.
Jackson, Philip. Life in Classrooms. New York: Rinehart and Winston, 1968.
Jaison, Jessy. Enjoy Your Research-A manual for Theological Students. Kerala: New India
Publications, 2000. 268.6
Joseph, A. Antony. Methodology for Research. Bangalore: TPI, 1986.
Kothari, C. R. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi, New Age, 2005.
Mabry, H. P. A Manual for Researchers and Writers. Bangalore: BTE-SSC, 1999.
Neuman, W. L. Social Research Methods - Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Needham
Heights: Mass Allyn & Bacon, 1994.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.

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