For the critical assignment, you will be developing your own theory of integration, taking into consideration the concepts of worldview, i.e., cosmology, anthropology, sin, and atonement, and psychology or sociology. In particular, you will select a specific topic in the field of psychology, e.g., mental illness, divorce, alcohol dependence, sexual orientation, domestic violence, or sociology, e.g., social problems like homelessness, to view through an integrative lens. If you choose racism as was covered in class, you will need to provide a unique contribution above what you posted in the discussion boards. You should rely on your personal theory regarding the worldview issues developed earlier in the course to discuss how your worldview relates to a behavioral science perspective on your topic.
As an example, for the topic of mental illness such as depression, you will explore how depression is related to human nature, sin, and what to do fix it. Further, a cosmological perspective will help identify epistemological issues (naturalism vs. supernaturalism). Stated differently, you will try to better understand how worldview shapes your understanding of the chosen topic. If, for example, you select depression as your topic, you will explain what it means to be human and psychologically functioning in a healthy manner, what our purpose in the world is so as to function in a psychologically healthy manner, what goes wrong that leads to depression, and how can depression be “fixed,” according to your theory as its been developing in the course. As part of this discussion on depression, students should describe how a psychological epistemology focuses on certain types of cause of depression as well as certain therapeutics.
An example of a social issue would be to address the issue of homelessness. Homelessness should be described using sociological data focusing on the rates of homelessness in the US. Additionally, there should be a review of the causes of homeless, and any sociological proposes to address this issue. In terms of integration, rely on course materials and readings to describe the Christian worldview domains of sin and salvation (or atonement) and their relationship to the sociological findings. A main component of comparing the sociological and Christian worldview aspects of homelessness should focus on epistemology. That is, students should devote space to describing the epistemology associated with the sociology of homelessness and how that epistemology compares with the epistemologies described in Entwistle’s text. Of importance for undertaking a social problems paper, students should incorporate Strachan’s material on sin in chapter two of his book on sin. That is, Strachan describes both the personal and social aspects of sin, and students should develop this personal and social distinction of sin when describing the Christian worldview understandings of sin as it relates to homeless.
Specific paper requirements:
You will then explore your topic from both theological and behavioral science (psychology OR sociology) viewpoints by conducting a literature review, including at least five academic citations from a theological viewpoint, and five from a behavioral science viewpoint. Again, to use the illustration of depression, you will explore the psychological literature on depression, as well as what the Bible says, if anything, about depression. Finally, you will synthesize these findings into some sort of personal theory of integration. For the example of depression, you might write about how you reconcile a psychological understanding of depression with what scripture says about depression and low mood, and how this relates to your personal theory.
The paper will be at least 6 pages in length, with 1” margins, and will be double spaced in Times New Roman. You will also include a Title and Reference page, and the paper will be in APA format. OPS has adopted the most current APA professional standards. An abstract is not needed for this paper.
Overall, the organization of the essay will be as follows: (a) Title page, (b) introduction, where you will outline what you will accomplish in the paper and introduce your topic, (c) Worldview issues section, where you will explore the types of worldview perspectives (cosmology, anthropology, sin, and atonement) and how these relate your topic, (d) a Literature Review section, where you will summarize the psychological or sociological research and scripture on the topic (this section should describe the epistemology associated with the social science research), and (e) Discussion section where you will develop your personal theory based on your course work and the behavioral science research conducted on the topic and (f) Reference page, in APA format.
BOOKS: Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration (3rd ed.). Cascade Books. (ISBN 1498223486)
Keller, T. (2015). Walking with God through suffering. Penguin. ISBN-13: 978-1594634406
Piper, J. (2011). Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian. Crossway. ISBN: 978-1433528521 ALSO available for free: https://www.desiringgod.org/books/bloodlines
Strachan, O. (2019). Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind. Mentor. ISBN-13: 978-1527105027. Kindle edition available from Amazon.com:
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Exemplary (90-100%)
Accomplished (80-89%)
Developing (70-79%)
Beginning (60-69%)
Unsatisfactory (0-59%
Grading Dimension 1 – APA Style/Formatting Click for more options
Weight 25.00%
90.00 to 100.00 %
APA style/formatting is used consistently throughout the article with minimal to no errors: the Title page is in APA style; articles are cited appropriately in APA style; spelling, grammar, and punctuation are congruent with APA style; the Reference page is consistent with APA style
80.00 to 89.00 %
APA style/formatting is used consistently throughout the article with occasional errors: the Title page is in APA style; articles are cited appropriately in APA style; spelling, grammar, and punctuation are congruent with APA style; the Reference page is consistent with APA style
70.00 to 79.00 %
APA style/formatting is used sparsely throughout the article with significant errors: the Title page is in APA style, but with errors; articles are seldom cited in APA style; spelling, grammar, and punctuation are inconsistent with APA style; the Reference page is not consistent with APA style, and has significant errors
60.00 to 69.00 %
APA style/formatting is not used, or seldom used, throughout the article: the Title page is not in APA style; articles are not cited appropriately in APA style; spelling, grammar, and punctuation are incongruent with APA style; the Reference page is not consistent with APA style
0.00 to 59.00 %
Requirement unmet
Grading Dimension 2 – Paper Structure Click for more options
Weight 25.00%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Introduction, Worldview issues section, where you will explore the types of worldview perspectives (cosmology, anthropology, sin, and atonement) and how these relate to your topic, Literature Review section, where you will summarize the psychological or sociological research and scripture on the topic, and Discussion section where you will develop your personal theory based on your course work and the behavioral science research conducted on the topic are well developed and supported by academic citations; construction of topic is put into a logical order and is a synthesis of the research on the topic; the Discussion section flows from the Introduction and Literature Review sections, offering personal reflections on the topic; the length of paper is at least 6 pages, with 12-point font and 1” margins on all sides
80.00 to 89.00 %
Introduction, Worldview issues section, where you will explore the types of worldview perspectives (cosmology, anthropology, sin, and atonement) and how these relate to your topic, Literature Review section, where you will summarize the psychological or sociological research and scripture on the topic, and Discussion section where you will develop your personal theory based on your course work and the behavioral science research conducted on the topic are well developed and supported by academic citations, but the paper is occasionally hard to follow; construction of topic is put into a somewhat logical order and is mostly a synthesis of research on the topic; the Discussion section flows somewhat from the Introduction and Literature Review sections, offering some personal reflection on the topic; the length of paper is 5 to 6 pages, with 12-point font and 1” margins on all sides
70.00 to 79.00 %
Introduction, Worldview issues section, where you will explore the types of worldview perspectives (cosmology, anthropology, sin, and atonement) and how these relate to your topic, Literature Review section, where you will summarize the psychological or sociological research and scripture on the topic, and Discussion are only somewhat developed and loosely supported by academic citations; construction of topic is somewhat unorganized and not entirely put into a logical order or a synthesis the topic; the Discussion section does not flow from the Introduction and Literature Review sections, and offers only occasional personal reflections on the topic; the length of paper is less than 5 pages, without 12-point font and/or 1” margins on all sides
60.00 to 69.00 %
Introduction, Worldview issues section, where you will explore the types of worldview perspectives (cosmology, anthropology, sin, and atonement) and how these relate to your topic, Literature Review section, where you will summarize the psychological or sociological research and scripture on the topic, and Discussion are difficult to follow and not supported by empirical research within the cognitive sciences; construction of topic is very unorganized, not put into a logical order, and is not a synthesis of the topic; the Discussion section does not flow from the Introduction and Literature Review sections, and does not offer personal reflections on the topic; the length of paper is less than 4 pages, without 12-point font and/or 1” margins on all sides
0.00 to 59.00 %
Requirement unmet
Grading Dimension 3 – Literature Review Click for more options
Weight 25.00%
90.00 to 100.00 %
At least 10 academic citations are used.
80.00 to 89.00 %
At least 9 academic citations are used.
70.00 to 79.00 %
At least 8 academic citations are used.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Less than 8 academic citations are used.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Requirement unmet
Grading Dimension 4 – Faith Integration Click for more options
Weight 24.99991%
90.00 to 100.00 %
In the Discussion section, the topic is explicated through the lens of the student’s personal theory of integration by balancing the material presented within theology and the behavioral sciences; the author discusses how the topic relates to his or her own faith journey; the author clearly addresses the concepts of worldview, and anthropology, outlining his or her position on each topic.
80.00 to 89.00 %
In the Discussion section, the topic is explicated through the lens of the student’s own theory of integration; however, the author doesn’t support his or her view with references; the author discusses how the topic relates to his or her own faith journey; the author adequately addresses the concepts of worldview, and anthropology, outlining his or her position on each topic
70.00 to 79.00 %
In the Discussion section, the topic is only briefly explicated through the lens of the student’s own theory of integration, with no supporting references; the author only briefly discusses how the topic relates to his or her own faith journey; the author briefly addresses the concepts of worldview, and anthropology, outlining his or her position on each topic , and struggles to outline his or her position on each topic
60.00 to 69.00 %
In the Discussion section, the topic is not explicated through the lens of the student’s own theory of integration; the author does not discuss how the topic relates to his or her own faith journey; the author does not mention the concepts of worldview, and anthropology, outlining his or her position on each topic, and does not outline his or her position on each topic
0.00 to 59.00 %
Requirement unmet
Program Outcome Dimension 1: PSY SLO 5 – APA formatting Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Consistently applies proper APA format, grammar, and syntax in all written communication.
80.00 to 89.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Mostly applies proper APA format, grammar, and syntax in written communication, but occasional minor errors exist.
70.00 to 79.00 %
Occasionally applies proper APA format, grammar, and syntax in written communication, but significant errors exist.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Rarely applies proper APA format, grammar, or syntax in written communication, and significant errors exist that change the meaning of the communication.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 2: PSY SLO 5 – Use of peer-reviewed psychological literature Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Consistently utilizes peer-reviewed quantitative and/or qualitative research to base ideas about psychology, and proper citations are used consistently.
80.00 to 89.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Utilizes mostly peer-reviewed quantitative and/or qualitative research to base ideas about psychology, and proper citations are used consistently.
70.00 to 79.00 %
Occasionally utilizes peer-reviewed quantitative and/or qualitative research to base ideas about psychology, but proper citations are used inconsistently.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Peer-reviewed research is rarely used to base ideas about psychology.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 3: PSY SLO 5 – Critical thinking Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Generates original ideas regarding various psychological constructs by appropriately synthesizing personal ideas with psychological literature.
80.00 to 89.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Generates mostly original ideas regarding various psychological constructs by occasionally synthesizing personal ideas with psychological literature.
70.00 to 79.00 %
Generates partially original ideas regarding various psychological constructs by occasionally synthesizing personal ideas with psychological literature, but the descriptions are vague and/or confusing.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Original ideas are rarely developed.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 4: PSY SLO 6 – Christian worldview Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Evaluates the core components of the Christian worldview, including cosmology, anthropology, sin, and salvation. Applies the Christian worldview to psychological concepts with creativity and meaning.
80.00 to 89.00 %
Evaluates the core components of the Christian worldview. Applies the Christian worldview to psychological concepts with simplicity.
70.00 to 79.00 %
Compares the core components of the Christian worldview. Applies the Christian worldview to psychological concepts with simplicity.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Describes the core components of the Christian worldview.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 5: PSY SLO 6 – Use of Scripture Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Applies a variety of verses to various psychological concepts, drawing creative, insightful, and personal inferences.
80.00 to 89.00 %
Applies a variety of Scripture verses to various psychological concepts, drawing personal connections that are not necessarily creative or insightful.
70.00 to 79.00 %
Applies verses to psychological concepts, drawing simple connections and inferences.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Applies minimal verses to psychological concepts and does not make inferences.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 6: PSY SLO 6 – Ethics in psychology Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Analyzes various ethical topics and challenges commonly experienced in psychology. Explores the issues thoroughly, with a well-articulated personal moral code and a respectful open mind to other perspectives.
80.00 to 89.00 %
Analyzes various ethical topics and challenges. Explores the issues with a somewhat developed personal moral code and respect for other perspectives.
70.00 to 79.00 %
Describes ethical topics and challenges. Articulates a simple personal moral code with minimal openness to other perspectives.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Describes ethical topics and challenges without articulating a personal moral code or insinuates disrespect for other perspectives.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 7: SOC SLO 2 – Knowledge of substantive areas in sociology Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Demonstrates a breadth and depth of understanding of concepts in the knowledge domain. Can use terminology accurately in new contexts and has transformed the ideas so that they can express them appropriately in their own words.
80.00 to 89.00 %
Demonstrates a breadth and depth of understanding of concepts in the knowledge domain. Can use terminology accurately in new contexts and accurately expresses the text’s definition of concepts and terminology.
70.00 to 79.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Demonstrates an adequate breadth, but limited depth of understanding of basic concepts in the knowledge domain. Can express some of the text’s definitions of the concepts and terminology in new contexts.
60.00 to 69.00 %
Demonstrates an under-developed knowledge and understanding of required concepts. Has a limited reproduction of concepts and definitions. Cannot accurately understand the text’s definitions or concepts in new contexts.
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 8: SOC SLO 2 – Application of substantive areas in sociology Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Demonstrates a high proficiency in applying knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology with all relevant examples
80.00 to 89.00 %
Demonstrates a proficiency in applying knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology with some relevant examples
70.00 to 79.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Demonstrates a minimal proficiency in applying knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology with minimal relevant examples
60.00 to 69.00 %
Demonstrates an under-developed level of proficiency in applying knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology and/or irrelevant examples
0.00 to 59.00 %
Not demonstrated
Program Outcome Dimension 9: SOC SLO 2 – Evaluation and synthesizing knowledge of substantive areas in sociology within the research literature Click for more options
Weight 0.00001%
90.00 to 100.00 %
Demonstrates a high proficiency level of synthesizing and evaluating the strengths and weakness of knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology within peer-reviewed research articles
80.00 to 89.00 %
Demonstrates a proficiency of synthesizing and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology within peer-reviewed research articles
70.00 to 79.00 %
TARGET LEVEL Demonstrates a minimal level of proficiency of synthesizing and evaluating the strengths and weakness of knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology within peer-reviewed research articles
60.00 to 69.00 %
Demonstrates an under-developed level of proficiency of synthesizing and evaluating the strengths and weakness of knowledge of one of the substantive areas of sociology within peer-reviewed research articles
0.00 to 59.00 %