The Old Testament Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

RELG-1301-001 The Old Testament

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of the Old Testament. An outline of Hebrew history including the books of poetry and prophecy in their proper historical settings.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Bible. A modern, standard translation—such as the New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, or New King James Version—is preferred. The King James Version (KJV), first published in 1611, was for its time an excellent translation.  It remains one of the great literary achievements of all time. But the English language has significantly changed over the last 400 years, making the KJV hard for most modern students to read and understand.

Supplies

\ Textbook, pens, pencils,  a 3-ring binder (1 inch width is ample), access to a computer in order to complete written assignments, to view websites, etc.  Access to library materials is necessary for successful completion of this course.

Student Performance

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (Exemplary Educational Objectives): The following are the learning objectives for Relg 1301 classes taught at Amarillo College. After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program. After studying the material in this course, the student will be able to:

1. To demonstrate a knowledge of the books of the Old Testament.
2. To understand and summarize the contents of each book of the Old Testament.
3. To respond critically through the written medium your thoughts concerning a major Old Testament concept that we discuss in class.
4. To engage in the learning process by noting the various literary genres and styles found in the Old Testament.
5. To articulate and explain briefly the major characteristics of Hebrew poetry and prophecy.
6. To develop an awareness of the expansion of the political and religious leaders in ancient Israel.
7. To Summarize the history of Israel from Genesis 1 to the close of the Old Testament.
8. To demonstrate the ability to use research tools in the field of religion, and draw reasonable conclusions on the basis of careful study.

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Expected Student Behavior

This is a college-credit course.  Academic and behavioral expectations will assume student maturity.  Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College and high school policies and procedures.

Grading Criteria

Grading:

On days when a student is absent and must miss a daily quiz, there will be no make-up required. If the absence is excused, the day’s grade slot will be blank. Unexcused absences may result in a zero for that day’s quiz. Make-up for other assignments will be due within the week following the absence.

During each six weeks your daily test and minor essay grades will comprise 50 percent of your grade. The unit test grade will be 25 percent of your grade, as will be your six-weeks test grade. In the third six weeks the Psalms project will be 25 percent of the grade. Your final exam grade will be one-fourth of your semester grade when averaged with each of the three six weeks grades.

A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = Below 60

Attendance

\ Attendance is necessary in order to satisfactorily complete the course.  It is the student's responsibility to attend the class.

Calendar

Additional Information

First Six Weeks
Since some members of our class will be studying the Bible seriously for the first time, we must begin with the ABC’s of Bible study. In the early days of the class we will deal with questions such as:
Why so many Bible versions, and why are some more useful than others?
Where did the Bible text come from originally, and how did it get to us in English?
How is the Bible divided, and what can we expect in its various sections?
What notation do Bible students usually use to identify specific texts and versions?
We will also familiarize ourselves with Bible geography so that we can follow the later narratives without getting lost on an unfamiliar landscape, and we will notice some of the great pieces of literature and art that find their roots in Genesis. Several assignments will teach us to use Bible study helps such as concordances, Bible dictionaries, and online resources.

In this course our strategy is to read the Bible text itself instead of spending a lot of time reading other writings about the scriptures. It will take us the entire first six weeks to get through Genesis, with special attention paid to these stories and characters that form the basis for the rest of the Bible. Our main purpose is to be sure that all students are familiar with this seminal segment of the Bible. The lectures on most days will involve student participation.

Daily reading assignments and next-day quizzes can be expected. About four weeks into the course, a major unit test will cover Genesis 1-36. The six-weeks test will cover all of Genesis as well as the introductory materials.

All students will be expected learn the Bible books in order spelled correctly.

Second and Third Six Weeks
Our pace will pick up as we trace the historical narratives of the Bible, following the history in the order it happened and not in the order of the Bible writings. Whenever a prophet emerges, we will pause to look at vignettes of his ministry and his writing. At times we will sample portions of the Wisdom literature, especially as they relate to the history we are reading at that moment.

We will have a major unit test in the middle of the second six weeks, covering all of Moses’ life (Exodus through Deuteronomy). Our second six weeks test will include the history from Joshua through 1 Samuel 18—through the story of David and Goliath.

A cumulative unit test during the third six weeks will cover everything on the history line from Genesis 1 through Nehemiah. It will be good preparation for the final exam.

In the final weeks of the course we will have to hurry to finish the Jewish history so we can spend some time in the monumental book of Job. Our final exam will be cumulative, covering the entire course. Except for the book of Job and the post-Captivity segment of Jewish history, however, the final exam will test nothing we did not cover in the previous unit test.

During the last 12 weeks, each student will choose one of the psalms and illustrate via PowerPoint what that psalm says to them personally.