DOCTORATE IN SACRED THEOLOGY

Transcription

1 DOCTORATE IN SACRED THEOLOGY

2 DOCTORATE IN SACRED THEOLOGY DESCRIPTION The Doctorate in Sacred Theology is the highest degree granted by the Ecclesiastical Faculty within the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry by virtue of its status as an ecclesiastical faculty, in accordance with Sapientia Christiana, the Apostolic Constitution on Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties 1. It follows upon the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL), which is required for admission into the STD program. In addition to preparing students for teaching in seminaries and other institutions of higher learning, it equips one to be a member of an ecclesiastical faculty anywhere in the world, and is broadly recognized as equivalent to a civil terminal degree such as the PhD. The program is designed to form scholars who combine broad knowledge of an area, a critical knowledge of theological methods, an ability to do original research, and who will make significant contributions in their chosen fields of study. This handbook is intended to assist students in understanding the requirements and features of the STD program at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. As a guide to the policies and expectations within this degree program, it will be helpful to prospective applicants as well as to matriculated students making progress toward completing the degree. Regarding interpretation of these policies, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the STD program director are the ordinary proper arbiters. The STD Program Director has primary responsibility for the administration of the Program and oversight of the degree requirements. Once the student has completed the requirements of the program necessary to move to the Comprehensive Examination preparation stage, the student chooses a faculty member based on his or her academic interests, who then serves as primary academic advisor. This faculty advisor chairs the Committee that prepares and administers the Comprehensive Examination and usually continues to mentor the dissertation as well. Ultimate responsibility for the program rests with the Board of Directors of the Ecclesiastical Faculty at Boston College, which is chaired by the Vice Chancellor, who is ex officio the President of the United States Jesuit Conference and reports to the Superior General and, through him, to the Holy See. Purpose of the STD The purpose of the S.T.D. program is to create scholars who combine broad knowledge of a certain area, a critical knowledge of theological methodology, and an ability to contribute original research in a chosen field of study. Most students who complete the S.T.D. go on to teach in university faculties, seminaries, and theological centers. They also contribute to Church administration and pastoral work, using their extensive study, training, and expertise as resources for their community. Students interested in the S.T.D. usually have discerned a vocation of working within the Catholic Church or a related environment. As with the S.T.L., the S.T.D. can open many doors for service in the Church, in a number of official capacities within dioceses, religious communities, and institutions of higher learning. 1 For the full text of this Apostolic Constitution see 2

3 Specific STD Program Learning Outcomes Paraphrasing Article 3 of Sapientia Christiana the primary goal of STD program aims to train the students to a level of high qualification in their own disciplines, according to Catholic doctrine in order to cultivate and promote through rigorous methodological theological research a deepened knowledge of Christian revelation and of matters connected with it and to present them to the people of the present day in a manner adapted to various cultures and to promote the continuing permanent education of the ministers of the Church. Since possession of the STL (licentiate) is required for admission into any STD program, the principal focus on the STD program is the academic and professional training required first for the research, writing, and defense of the doctoral dissertation, which then in turn enables the successful student to enter fully into the academy and to teach both in an ecclesiastical faculty world-wide, as well as in other institutions of higher learning that recognize the STD as a terminal degree comparable to the civil PhD, and/or in other offices and ministries in service to the Church. The primary goal of the program is the successful completion of the doctoral dissertation, which demonstrates original and independent research and that represents advanced scholarly achievement. To prepare for realization of these goals the STD program has several specific component parts that likewise have their own individual goals and outcomes which are spelled out in greater detail in the in the individual sections which treat these component parts. However, in general the outcomes of these major parts of the program can be delineated as follows: The initial stage of the program completed in the First Year asks the student to complete four advanced courses, complete the Pro-Seminar which focuses on the Research Readiness Review process, and to pass the modern language requirement for further doctoral work (See Appendix for Course Tracking Form]. In completing these requirements the student will gain deeper knowledge in the selected area of specialization, gain greater familiarity with the Boston College faculty who may serve on the Comprehensive and/or Dissertation Committees, as well as to develop the required mastery in scholarly research and writing which will be necessary to move through the remainder of the program. In the Second Year the major focus is on the Comprehensive examination by which the student is able to demonstrate a deep knowledge and integration of both the general area of the field of study as well as the mastery of the pertinent literature in the chosen area of specialization which will be further developed in the dissertation. In finalizing both the constitutive members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee and the approved Bibliography for the examination the student will acquire important skills that will be employed in the drafting, writing, and defense of the dissertation. See Appendix for Comprehensive Bibliography Approval Form and Comprehensive Examination Form. Either also in the second year, or carrying on into the Third Year the student acquires and demonstrates the pedagogical skills for teaching effectively in the higher education context by 3

4 completing the Pedagogical Requirement for the STD degree. The Pedagogical Requirement aims to give the student both content and practice in developing a range of necessary skills to become an effective teacher. Also in the third year the student is normally expected to arrange for a dissertation committee who will be able to approve the completed Dissertation Proposal which in turn demonstrates a viable field of study, a thesis to be explored in a reasonable using an appropriate methodology, and supported by a well-considered bibliography of relevant material related to the dissertation topic. See Appendix for Dissertation Proposal Form In the Fourth Year the student concentrates on the research, writing, and revision of the dissertation itself, in close contact with the dissertation director and the other members of the dissertation committee. Through this process the student will deepen the necessary research and writing skills to gain acceptance as a recognized scholar in the academic field. If the dissertation is not finished and defended in the fourth year this project is completed in the Fifth Year. In addition to completing this dissertation the student will acquire in the process the additional skills necessary to bring a major work to completion with necessary attention both to academic deadlines and scholarly collaboration with the members of the committee. The final requirement of publication of the dissertation will also help the student acquire some of the practical skills necessary for academic publication. See Appendix for Dissertation Approval for Defense and Dissertation Defense Ballot Forms. ADMISSION Students seeking admission to the STD program should complete general admissions procedures as outlined on the STM website, requirements for admission are as follows: An STL degree or the near completion of an STL degree. (A student accepted into the STD degree program does not formally begin the STD program until the STL degree requirements are fulfilled). At least a 3.7 GPA in course work at the STL level or the equivalent of this average. A Statement of Purpose naming the area (Historical-Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Ethics, Word and Worship, Church History) that the student wishes to study. Such a letter should include the person or persons on the faculty with whom the student would like to work. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant s academic competence. Either the STL thesis or a major research paper from the STL program that conveys the student s capabilities in research and writing. One copy of each transcript from previous post-secondary education. Transcripts must be officially certified by the institution. If the official transcript is not in English, a translation should be provided with the official document.. 4

5 The TOEFL exam results if English is not the applicant s native language. The TOEFL score is not required if: 1. The applicant is a citizen of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean. 2. The applicant earned a prior college or university degree in the U.S.A., in one of the countries listed above in section 1, or at a college or university where the official language of instruction is English. 3. The applicant is currently enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting program in the U.S.A. or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above in section 1 and will have the completed at least two academic years of college/university work before beginning your studies at Boston College. REGISTRATION When the student is accepted into the STD program, the student will be assigned an advisor who usually will be the STD Program Director who oversees successful completion of the initial program requirements prior to the Comprehensive Examination process (see the Course Tracking Sheet in the Appendix). After the first semester, the student usually should decide on a particular faculty member who will ultimately serve as the student s dissertation director. When the student makes that decision and secures the agreement of the faculty member, the student should notify the STD program director and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. At the successful conclusion of the First Year Pro-Seminar the dissertation director designate normally becomes the student s advisor. With the approval of the advisor/director, the student must register every semester. Students and their advisors should agree on what work the student anticipates doing that semester, e.g., studying in particular courses, plans for completing the Pedagogy Requirement, Comprehensives, drafting the Dissertation Proposal or dissertation writing. During the first year of studies, the STD student should normally be registered for TMST 8543 STD Pro-Seminar After the first year, students register for TMST 8528 STD Specialized Research (6 credits) each semester until they graduate. DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS At least a three-semester residency after completion of the STL degree. Completion of the First Year Pro-Seminar which includes introduction into the scholarly academy, leading to successful demonstration of Research Readiness and mastery of the 5

6 required languages for doctoral work. The student must register for this one-credit course under the number TMST8543 which is taken pass/fail. One modern European research language beyond the one ancient and one modern the student has by virtue of the STL degree. Those working on biblical or patristic topics may show competence in two ancient languages and one modern. Competency in these languages helps in both the research required for the degree and ongoing professional work in the field with scholars around the world. Successful completion of the language requirement is normally done within the first year in the Program, but must be completed prior to the administration of the Comprehensive Examination. Four courses or seminars in the area of specialization or some related topics. Of these, at least two courses must be offered by members of the Ecclesiastical Faculty. Normally, one of these is to be a reading course related to the subject matter of the projected STD dissertation. (If the student has done an STL thesis in an area not exactly related to the STD dissertation, then the student may be required to do additional course work). Successful completion of the Pedagogy Requirement. During residency, attendance/participation in the monthly Doctoral Colloquium with the other students in the Program. This Doctoral Colloquium revolves around selected themes that aid the student in developing a broader skill set as an academic expert, such as helpful critique on academic writing, constructing and maintaining a professional curriculum vitae, strategies for successfully proposing papers and panels for academic conferences, participation in scholarly professional societies, and aid in developing a successful research and publishing agenda. Participation in an appropriate graduate seminar within the student s area of theology when it is available (for example, the PhD-STD doctoral seminar in ethics offered in conjunction with the Boston College Department of Theology ). Preparation and successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination. Preparation and approval of a Dissertation Proposal. Successful completion, defense and publication of the doctoral dissertation. PRO-SEMINAR The format of this Pro-Seminar will be similar to a small-group Directed Reading course chaired by the STD Program Director or another faculty member appointed by the Dean who will serve as the mentor in the student s expected area of concentration. In the course of the year in the In the Pro-Seminar the student will be expected to demonstrate satisfactorily following competencies: 6

7 1. Pass a competency test demonstrating familiarity with footnote, bibliography, and format guidelines contained in the University of Chicago Manual of Style (aka Turabian ). Preparation for this test will be given in the Pro-Seminar and will be conducted by the STD Program Director and/or designated support faculty or staff. 2. Successfully pass a Research Readiness Review based on at least two major research papers done in one or more of the academic courses, utilizing criteria in the form already adopted by the Ecclesiastical Faculty. Included in these RRR criteria will be demonstrated proficiency in appropriate foreign-language research. The RRR will be conducted by the STD Program Director along with the student s mentor and one or more of the faculty for whom the papers were written. Following the RRR, the STD Program Director will summarize briefly the assessment of the faculty regarding the individual papers, along with suggestions for further improvement and/or development of research skills. See the Appendix for a sample RRR form. 3. Successfully pass the foreign language requirements for the STD program. These languages can be verified either through transcripts demonstrating mastery of the language(s), or through an exam administered through the office of the STD Program Director. The foreign language exam will focus on reading comprehension of several articles selected by the student in conversation with the STD Program Director that will have a direct bearing on the student s own research. The exam will test not only comprehension of the articles, but also will include translations of brief selected passages that demonstrate mastery of the basic idiomatic and grammatical structure of the language. LANGUAGES The requirement of one modern language may be fulfilled by successfully completing a course in the language and thus having it entered into one s transcript, or by an examination administered by a faculty member and arranged by the director of the program. The language requirement must be completed before the comprehensive examination bibliography proposal can be approved. The Language certification is overseen by the STD Program Director, who may delegate others to administer or grade a particular exam in a language of their special competence. The STD language requirement presumes successful completion of the STL language requirements which include demonstration of competence in ecclesiastical Latin and at least one additional modern research language beyond English (e.g., usually French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, etc.). Successful mastery of English is required for admission into the STD program and therefore does not count towards fulfillment of these additional language requirements. 7

8 There are any number of ways in which mastery of this 2nd research language can be met. We offer no "certificate" per se in language proficiency. Typical ways in which language mastery can be demonstrated would be successful degree work elsewhere in that language (e.g., if a student has done his/her M.Div. at Centre Sevres in Paris this would serve as sufficient indication of mastery of French). Another typical way would be passing a language test after matriculation in the STD program, usually during the First Year. The language certification process, including the exam, is overseen by the STD program director and this exam may take a number of different forms. For example, the student may give the Program Director 3-5 scholarly articles related to the theological research topic of the student in the language to be tested. Following completion of the language certification process the Program Director draws up a formal statement attesting to the successful completion of the exam give a copy to the student and place a copy in the student's academic file which the Program Director maintains. PEDAGOGY REQUIREMENT Normally the student will be expected to complete the Pedagogy Requirement sometime between the Second Year of the program, but before submission of the Dissertation Proposal. The Pedagogy Requirement will have several options, but each will require completion of the following elements of Course Composition and Teaching Praxis: Course Composition Options A. Develop an entire Course Syllabus, including Course Description, Learning Outcomes, Assignments, Readings, Evaluation and Learning Units. B. Develop 2-3 Learning Unit Modules for MediaKron and/or Canvas appropriate for inclusion in an appropriate course. C. Develop the structure for an online or hybrid course. D. Develop a course-program appropriate for adult education workshops in lay ministry or permanent diaconate training. Teaching Praxis Options A. Under the guidance of an approved Master Teacher(s) from either the STM or Theology Department teach at least three different classes, followed by a self-evaluation, and an evaluation from the Master Teacher(s). B. Serve as a Teaching Assistant for an entire semester to an approved Master Teacher. At the conclusion of the semester do a self-evaluation and receive an evaluation from the Master Teacher. 8

9 C. Utilize one or more of the electronic technologies developed in the Composition Options in a course and do a follow-up self-evaluation and have an evaluation by an appropriate teaching professional. Recommended Option for Completing this Pedagogy Requirement Enroll in and complete the Apprenticeship College Teaching Program (ACT) at Boston College. For program overview and details see Exemption, either partial or complete, from the Pedagogy Requirement may be granted by the Program Director, with the approval of the Associate Academic Dean, to those candidates who have significant prior college and/or graduate-level teaching experience and can provide documentation of this experience, usually in the form of course syllabi and teaching evaluations. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION The Structure of the Examination The examination is taken subsequent to the course work and prior to writing a dissertation proposal. The comprehensive examination has three parts that are arranged like three concentric circles and moves from more general knowledge pertaining to the area of study, through the field of specialization, to the subject matter of the STD dissertation. The first level will cover general competency in the area (Historical-Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Ethics, Word and Worship, Church History); the second will address specialized concerns of a field (for example, Christology, Pauline Letters, Bioethics, Sacraments, Reformation); the third will focus on specific material foundational to the anticipated subject matter of the dissertation. Normally the Comprehensive Bibliography would include material in at least some of the various languages required for the degree. The written exam will consist of a four-hour examination on each of the first two levels taken on two successive days. The second half of the examination, consisting of a two-hour oral examination to be held the following week, deals with all three levels of subject matter. See Appendix for Comprehensive Bibliography Approval Form. Examination Board The examination board consists of the dissertation director, who acts as the chairperson, and two other faculty members who have been selected by the student, in consultation with the dissertation director and the program director. At least one member of the board, usually the dissertation director must possess an ecclesiastical degree and also be a member of the Ecclesiastical Faculty. The dissertation director, in consultation with the student and the program director, will determine which faculty member is responsible for the respective parts of the exam. Setting Up the Examination During the last semester of coursework, the student should notify the program director when he or she intends to take the comprehensive examination. With the assistance of the dissertation 9

10 director and the program director, the student should develop an appropriate bibliography for each of the three parts of the exam. Then the student should present the bibliographies to the examination board. The board members may make additions or subtractions to the bibliography. When the dissertation director approves the completed bibliography, the student should present a copy of it to each of the examiners. Date of the Examination The written comprehensive examinations normally will be given only on the Monday and Tuesday of the third week of October, the third week of February, and the second week of May, according to the STM Academic Calendar. The student must register for the examination at registration time for the particular semester in which the student intends to take it. Coordinating the Examination The dissertation director should solicit from the respective examiner of each of the two parts of the examination three questions for that part. All questions should be based on the bibliography agreed upon by the student and the respective examiner. The dissertation director should present to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs the three questions for each of the two days. The Associate Dean in turn will see that the written exams are proctored and the answers distributed to the board members. The Associate Dean will also give the dissertation director the STD Comprehensive Examination Report of the Examiners form for registering the results of the comprehensive exam. A copy of the examination questions is also given to the STD Program Director who keeps these in the Program files. Examination Procedure Written examination. Each written examination of the first and second parts will last four hours. The candidate will answer two questions. The written exams will be read by all three examiners. The Associate Dean will assign the student a proper room for the exam and provide a computer for the student to use. Oral examination. The candidate will be examined by all three examiners. The oral examination will last two hours and be divided into three parts. During the first and second parts, the examiners will question on material from the first two written examinations. Normally, the questioning should begin with and grow out of the material written by the student. The candidate may begin the examination with a brief commentary on the preparation for the examination and the written responses to the first two parts of the examination. The third part of the exam will deal with the material which was studied in preparation for writing the dissertation proposal. The student will be given an opportunity to describe his or her dissertation project and all three examiners may ask questions about the project. Examination Grade The two possible grades for the comprehensive examinations are pass and fail, determined by a majority of the board. Should a student fail the comprehensive examination, he or she may take it 10

11 once again at a date no sooner than three months from the completion of the first examination. In cases of a second failure, no further attempt is allowed and the student is ipso facto terminated from the degree program. See Appendix for Comprehensive Examination Ballot Form. The dissertation director returns the form for registering the examination grade to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who keeps a copy on file and gives a copy to the Program Director. DISSERTATION PROPOSAL The dissertation proposal is an integral step in the writing of the STD dissertation. It should clearly explain the dissertation project. Ordinarily, a dissertation proposal will be approximately ten pages in length excluding the bibliography and contain a title page, an introduction, a statement of the subject matter, the question the dissertation will answer, the method of the dissertation, a description of its contents, and at least a tentative schematic outline of the chapters and their approximate size. The form of both the dissertation proposal and the dissertation itself should correspond to the University of Chicago Manual of Style. After successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student, after consultation with the dissertation director, solicits two other professors to serve on the dissertation committee as readers. One of these three professors must be a member of the Ecclesiastical Faculty who has an ecclesiastical degree (e.g., STL, STD, etc.). The dissertation director, the two readers, and the program director must formally approve the dissertation proposal. The student is responsible for securing their signatures on the Approval of STD Dissertation Proposal form, which is available in the Service Center. After securing their signatures, the student must then give a copy of the dissertation proposal to the program director who reviews the Proposal for compliance with the STD program protocols and who then signs it and files it with the Associate Academic Dean. See Appendix for Dissertation Approval Form. DISSERTATION The student should work closely with the dissertation director who must possess an ecclesiastical degree and is ordinarily a member of the Ecclesiastical Faculty. After the student begins writing, the student presents individual chapters to the dissertation director for comment, corrections, direction, etc. When the dissertation director judges that a particular chapter is ready for the readers review, the dissertation director may notify the student to submit it to the readers for their comment, corrections, etc. While waiting for the readers comments, the student should proceed to the next chapter. The dissertation committee has the freedom to proceed otherwise if, with the student, all agree to do so. The dissertation director, the two readers, and the program director approve the completed dissertation for defense. It is the student s responsibility to secure their signatures on the Approval for STD Defense form, which is available in the Service Center. The student returns the signed form to STD Program Director who confirms that all other academic requirements for the degree have been completed by signing the form and filing it with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The dissertation may then proceed to defense. See Appendix for Dissertation Approval for Defense Form. 11

12 The STD dissertation should ordinarily not exceed 80,000 words, double-spaced with letter quality printing in the form of the University of Chicago Manual of Style. DISSERTATION DEFENSE The defense is conducted by a board consisting of the dissertation director, the two readers, and one external examiner. One member of board must be from an institution other than Boston College; ordinarily that person will be the examiner. The examiner is appointed by the program director, after consulting with the dissertation advisor. The examiner is so-called because this is the only member of the board who has not read or directed the dissertation prior to its being approved for defense. The dissertation director may find it helpful to receive input from the student about prospective examiners to be contacted; however, the student should not initiate such contacts. Arrangements (including date and time) for the defense shall be made by the assistant to the department chairs of the STM. Ordinarily it may not take place until one month after the dissertation has been received by the examiner. The defense is moderated by the program director or someone appointed by the director and will last no more than two hours. The defense is open to the public. The defense board must come to one of three possible conclusions by a majority vote: 1) the candidate passes without any conditions (apart from minor corrections of grammar, typographical errors, and rephrasing; 2) the candidate passes with minor revisions; 3) the defense adjourns until major revisions are completed, after which the dissertation is to be re-examined. Any required revisions must be clearly indicated to the dissertation director who will oversee them and determine that they have been made. At the conclusion of the defense the board must sign the S.T.D. Defense Report of the Examiners form and submit the original form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. See Appendix for Dissertation Defense Ballot Form. After successful defense of the dissertation and the completion of any required revisions, the student must submit it online to the University Libraries, in the process also submitting it for publication. This submission satisfies the publication requirement for the STD degree set forth by Sapientia Christiana. For more information, as well as to begin the process of online submission, please visit 12

13 Boston College graduates students in August, December, and May. A student must defend and submit their dissertation by December 1 to graduate in December, and by April 1 to graduate in May. 13

14 NORMAL TIME-LINE FOR COMPLETION OF THE STD PROGRAM All students come to the program with the STL (Second Cycle) in hand, which already represents two years of course work and thesis preparation which itself goes beyond the 3-year STB or M.Div degrees (First Cycle). The following time-line is the ordinary expectation for completing the STD (Third Cycle) envisioned by Sapientia Christiana and commensurate with the terminal degree of other programs such as the civil PhD. Year One: Matriculation into the program, completion of the Pro-Seminar, including the Research Readiness Review, language exams, and the four academic courses. Year Two: First semester: composition of the Comprehensive Committee and approval of the Comprehensive Examination Bibliography. Second Semester: Completion of the Comprehensive Examinations (written and oral). Begin work on the Pedagogy Requirement. Year Three: First semester: completion of the Pedagogy Requirement, and draft and submit initial Dissertation Proposal to the Dissertation Committee. Second Semester: Complete the Pedagogy Requirement and obtain final approval of the Dissertation Proposal by the Dissertation Committee and the STD Program Director. Year Four: Writing of the Dissertation, submission of the individual chapters to the Dissertation Director. Possible completion of the dissertation and defense. Year Five: Completion of the dissertation, defense, and publication. Extensions and/or Leaves of Absence of one year, in accordance with Boston College graduate school policies, may be granted for sufficient reason by the Associate Academic Dean after discussion with the STD Program Director. After six years further extensions may be granted only for very serious reasons by the Dean.

15 S.T.D. Program Course Planning Sheet Student Name: Concentration: Four (4) Courses Language Requirements Modern Research Language other than English (for the S.T.L.): Second Modern European Language (for the S.T.D.): Additional Requirements Pro-Seminar in Specialized Research (TMST8543) Pedagogy Requirement Professional Ethics in Ministry Workshop Part I Part II Comprehensive Examination Dissertation Proposal Approval Dissertation Title: Dissertation Director S.T.D. Program Director Faculty Reader 1 Faculty Reader 2 Approval of Dissertation for Defense Dissertation Director Faculty Reader 1 Faculty Reader 2 External Reader for Defense

16 Research Readiness Paper Dynamics & Elements Checklist STYLE Unable to discern Does not meet Scholarly standards Satisfactori ly meets scholarly standards Scholarl y standards achieved with excellenc e 1. Adequate use of the English language: grammar, diction, style, etc. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 2. Use of proper footnote/endnote or other documentation procedures. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 3. Professional appearance of work. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) FAMILIARITY WITH AND ABILITY TO USE RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY 4. Demonstrated ability to perform research in the field of concentration. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 5. Ability to employ primary resources. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 6. Ability to employ secondary or critical sources. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 7. Familiarity with pertinent current journals. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 8. Familiarity with library resources (including electronic, as appropriate) in the field of concentration. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) PRESENTATION/ANALYSIS 9. Ability to conceptualize and define a topic. 10. Demonstrated ability to state differing positions and arguments clearly, fairly and evenhandedly. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

17 11. Skill at organization and focused presentation. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 12. Evidence of familiarity with appropriate methodologies ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 13. Potential for future achievement in scholarly research and writing. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Summative Grade (scale 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest): Summative Comments:

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