PhD Research Concept Development

This course will introduce you to the discipline of theological research, setting you on the exciting journey towards developing a research concept focused on your theological interest. This will in turn provide a solid foundation for writing a full research proposal. While many students complete this course successfully, completion of this course does not guarantee automatic promotion to Phase 2 as we employ a strict selection process.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

• creatively construct a personal profile that demonstrates how you perceive and engage your world and how you describe your passions and interest.
• describe and differentiate between important theological sub-disciplines and research methodologies.
• Demonstrate an awareness of:
  • the main theological sub-disciplines in relation to both existing theological research and your own theological interest;
  • the relevance of the sub-discipline in the life of the church;
  • the current state of the sub-discipline in Africa and global contexts.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the foundational works/authors related to your selected sub-discipline.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the academic scholarship of your specific theological research topic.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the research methodologies related to your selected sub-discipline.
• Compile a focused, well-developed research concept.

You will be required to purchase the following textbooks in order to complete this course:

Practical Theology students

• Heitink, Gerben. 1999. Practical Theology: History Theory, Action Domains: Manual for Practical Theology. Grand Rapids, MI : Williams B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Missiology & Church and Society students

• Wright, Christopher JH. 2010. The Mission of God's People: a Biblical Theology of the Church's Mission. Grand Rapids MI, Zondervan.