3.6 FOUNDATION LITERATURE
Upon admission to a research doctoral program, all new students are required to read/review a significant literature base of selected texts by the end of the first year of the program. However, due to the intense nature of course work as well as the relevance of the precedent material to required courses, students are highly encouraged to complete this reading prior to beginning course work. This precedent literature is reflective of the common knowledge base students need in preparation for the research seminars.
Students are not required to purchase these resources but are encouraged to do so. Ideally, students will have read the books at some point in their academic training or ministry experience, and will have some of the resources in their personal library.
Philosophy/Theology
Pearcey, Nancy. (2004). Total Truth. Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity . Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Bertrand, J. Mark. (2007). Rethinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This World. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Knight, George R. (2006). Philosophy and Education . 4th ed. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
Erickson, Millard J. (2001). Introducing Christian Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House
or
Grudem, Wayne. (1994). Systematic Theology . Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Teaching/Education
Richards, Lawrence O. and Gary J. Bredfeldt. (1998). Creative Bible Teaching . Chicago: Moody Publishers.
Pazmino, Robert W. (2008). Foundational Issues in Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Wilhoit, J. C., and Dettoni J.M. (1998). Nurture That is Christian. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Leadership
Bennis, Warren. (2009). On Becoming a Leader. Reading, MA: Addisono-Wesley Publishing.
Burns, James M. (2010). Leadership. New York, NY: Harper Perennial Classics
DuPree, Max. (2004). Leadership is an Art. New York, NY: Doubleday Publishers.
Hersey, Paul, Kenneth H. Blanchard, and Dewey E. Johnson. (2012). The Management of Organizational Behavior.10th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hill.
Kotter, John. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Press.
The assignment is to read (or review, if read previously) and create a typed, half-page, single-spaced abstract for each text. Each abstract should begin with the bibliographic citation noted above, and be followed by a brief analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the text, including the identification of key concepts, and issues and/or concerns raised by the text for your ministry.
An abstract should not be merely a summary of the contents of the text. You may find it helpful to look at book reviews in educational journals such as the Christian Education Journal for examples of critical reflection of a text.
Abstracts are due no later than December 31 of the second year of study.