RELIGION 1301 OLD TESTAMENT HISTORYCOURSE SYLLABUS SUMMER 2010Wayland Baptist University - Fairbanks CampusInstructor: Dr. John Copeland, Associate Professor of ReligionContact Information: 377-4398 (work); 488-6546 (home); 978-5768 [email protected] feel free to contact me any time.CLASS LOCATION/MEETING TIME:Class Meets Thursdays 6-10 pm at First Baptist Church, North Pole First Class: May 27, 2010 Final Class: August 5, 2010 – SEE CLASS SCHEDULEHolidays During The Term: Memorial Day: Monday, May 31 (classes held, offices closed) Independence Day: Monday, July 5 (no classes, offices closed) Neither of these holidays affects this class COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: RLGN 1301 Old Testament HistoryTERM: Summer 2010CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of the historical literature, with special attention given to the institutions, religion, and the national life of the Hebrew people.COURSE PRE-REQUISITE: NoneTEXTBOOKS: (1) Old Testament Today - A Journey from Original Meaning to Contemporary Significance, John H. Walton and Andrew E. Hill, Zondervan, 2004. (2) NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 2nd Edition..STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:The student will:1. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical, religious, and social context of the Old Testament world.2. Demonstrate knowledge of some of the critical methods used in Old Testament studies.3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic content of the Old Testament and its main teachings (theological content).4. Demonstrate knowledge of the canonical process producing a more complete understanding of the OldTestament.Means for Assessing Student Learning Outcomes:1. Embedded questions from the Religion Division Exit Exam will be used to assess each learning outcome.2. A summative report from the instructor evaluating the effectiveness of achieving learning outcomes.3. Student response paper evaluating learning gained in the course.OUTCOME COMPETENCIES: This course is designed to introduce to the student the meaning and significance of the Old Testament. By the end of this course the student will have demonstrated through discussion, written examinations, and research, the ability to recognize, define, and analyze the significance of the following:1. The Creation of the world, and the Fall of man2. The period of the Hebrew Patriarchs3. Moses and the Exodus from Egypt4. The Wilderness wanderings and the formation of the Law of Moses5. The formation and dynasty of the United Hebrew Monarchy6. The division of the United Hebrew Monarchy7. The destruction of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms8. The Babylonian Captivity and return to Palestine9. The apocalyptic literature of the Old Testament10. The books of Poetry (the Writings) of the Old Testament11. The relationship between Old Testament and the historical narrative of the Old TestamentCOURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:1. Course RequirementsA. Read all required assignmentsB. Take (5) tests. There will be no make-up for a missed test, unless it is given during an absence which has been pre-approved by the instructor, or there are serious, mitigating, and verifiable circumstances (death, sudden illness, accident, etc.). Tests given during a student’s excused absence and not made up by the end of the term will still receive a grade of Zero.C. Take the Final Exam.D. Students will have options to write (10) 1 page Journal Entries (in BlackBoard), (2) 5-page Reaction or Research Papers, (1) 10-page Reaction or research Paper on selected topics, OR make, create, or design a Project directly related to this Old Testament History course that reflects at least 20 hours of work outside of class. Guidelines for Journals, Research/Reaction Papers, and Projects will be given during the first class.E. Attend and actively participate in class discussion2. EvaluationA. Wayland Baptist University Grading System:A 90-100B 80-89C 70-79D 60-69F below 60B. Computation of Final Course Grade:Tests (5) @100 points ea. 500 pointsFinal Exam 200 pointsClass Participation 100 pointsJournal or Paper(s) or Project 200 pointsTotal Possible Points 1,000 points2C. The grading scale for this class, based on the point values shown above, is as follows:A 900-1,000B 800-899C 700-799D 600-699F below 600ATTENDANCE POLICYStudents enrolled at one of Wayland Baptist University's external campuses should make every effort to attend all class meetings. All absences must be explained to the instructor, who will determine whether the omitted work may be made up. When the student reaches the number of absences considered excessive, the instructor will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the chair of the division in which the course is offered.Any student who misses 25% or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings will receive a grade of 'F' in the course. If you know you are going to miss three weeks or more of instruction due to military or work related absences, see the instructor immediately.Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are considered part of the university's attendance policy. Each unexcused absence will count as a (10) point deduction from your class participation grade. A student who arrives late or leaves early will receive a 1/3 absence for each and every one of those events. If you are late for class, it is your responsibility to have your absence removed from the grade book.NOTICE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESIt is Wayland Baptist University's policy that no otherwise qualified person experiencing disabilities be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in this university. If a student has an impairment that would require additional accommodations by the instructor and/or the university, then please inform the instructor or the Fairbanks Campus Dean, prior to class.CLASS SCHEDULE ** = Test over previous material (test dates are flexible, depending on what, and how much instructional material is covered)Note: From your textbook, know ‘Key Plotline Terms’, ‘Key Review Terms’, ‘Reflections’, and read‘Key Verses’ as given in your textbook. See pages 23, 25, 26 for examples. You will also be given Study Guides for each section. Knowing these terms, verses, and study guide definitions is essential to your making good grades in this course.