1. Marriage and Family Systems Professor Tim Rumley

2.  The course description says, “This sociology course…”

3.  Assignment 6 says, “While theological truths can be brought into the paper, remember that this is a Social Science class rather than a Theology class. For example, a paper written on "The Impact of Divorce on Adolescents" would be appropriate but a paper on "The Apostle Paul's Theology of Divorce" would not be.”

4.  Anthropology studies cultures – large groups of people who share a way of life  Sociology studies institutions – smaller groups of people that make up cultures (e.g. families or schools)  Psychology studies behavior – it tends to focus on individuals

5.  This is a sociology course because it is studying the institution of the family  A social science approach asks, “What can be learned about the family through disciplined observation?”

6.  This sociology course exists within a Bible institute  It incorporates biblical and theological truth, but it also uses disciplined observations

7.  Your paper should reflect a topic that can be studied with disciplined observation

8.  If we look at the two examples in the assignment…  “The Impact of Divorce on Adolescents” can be studied by disciplined observations of adolescent children of divorced parents.  "The Apostle Paul's Theology of Divorce" is studied by reading the Bible and other books

9.  Some possible topics are posted on Blackboard

10.  You might notice that many topics have the same pattern:  “The effect of _______________ on _______________.”  Or more specifically,  “The effect of ______________ on the family.”

11.  The easiest way to pick a topic is to think about people to whom you minister (or might in the future)  Identify traits of your ministry audience that might affect the family

12.  Do some preliminary library research to see if others have researched your issue  Use the Moody Crowell Library to find sources, especially journal articles  Remember, sources must be less than 10 years old

13.  When you have a topic or two that will provide you with adequate sources, think about two other questions:  How do the social science perspectives and the Bible relate to each other?  How can I use this information in ministry?

14.  A topic that has plenty of sources, can be analyzed using the Bible, and could influence your ministry is a good one  Contact me if you have questions