Life of Christ Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

RELG-2301-001 Life of Christ

Prerequisites

Course Description

The life of Jesus Christ as presented in the four gospel accounts along with the principal tenets of His teaching chronologically harmonized and integrated.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Your Personal Bible, Bruce M. Metzger, The New Testament: Its Background, Growth and Content, 3^rd Edition, revised, 2012 (ISBN: 9781426772498); AND this syllabus.

 

Supplies

Your textbooks, syllabus, a dictionary, pens or pencils, notebook paper or a notebook, and access to a computer to complete assignments and review class materials. Access to library materials is necessary for the successful completion of this course.  

Student Performance

1. Attendance.  Regular attendance and classroom participation. Two unexcused absences will result in the loss of one letter grade for the semester unless at least one of those absences is made up.  Four unexcused absences will then result in the loss of two letter grades unless at least one of those absences is made up.  Absences may be excused if they are the result of illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.   It is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about this, though.  He will never bring it up to you. Unexcused absences may be made up by doing extra work as approved by your instructor.
2. Reading.  A careful reading of all the assigned sections of the textbooks (see the class outline on this syllabus to find your specific reading assignments), and all informational sheets given to you in class or online. 
3. Testing.  The successful completion of three examinations, including the final examination. The final examination will be comprehensive—but there will be no questions asked on the final that cover material you have been previously tested over unless those questions are worded in exactly the same way that they were worded on the previous examination.  See the course outline for the dates of these exams.
4. Research.  Each student pick a topic from the following list of approved topics, research the historical and literary backgrounds of the various claims made in the Bible and throughout history regarding this doctrine carefully an objectively, and prepare a four to six page research paper on that topic.

• Jesus’ virgin birth
• Jesus’ divinity
• Jesus’ baptism
• Jesus’ teaching
• Jesus’ miracles
• Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection from the dead

5. In writing this paper, consider the arguments that have been made for and against these various Christian claims, and evaluate how much confidence you have in the things you have been taught and personally believe about your chosen doctrine.

• Then, you will write your paper (using good form) defining, summarizing and evaluating the historical and theological validity of your chosen doctrine. 
• Remember what William James wrote: “Before one can say ‘I disagree,’ he must be able to say ‘I understand.’”
• This paper must include internal documentation for the sources you have used.
• And, it must have an attached “Works Cited” page so that the sources may be verified by your teacher.
• This “Works Cited” page must include at least five different sources which are also cited inside the paper.
• You are encouraged to visit the “Writer’s Corner” in room 102 of Ordway Hall, for free and personal help writing and documenting this paper, if needed.
• You may also choose to use an up-to-date edition of the MLA Handbook available in the college bookstore and/or the Lynn library for guidance regarding both form and documentation.
• You may look over the rubric I use grading these papers on this syllabus.
• You will then read your paper to the rest of the class and be prepared to defend your personal conclusions regarding the doctrine you have chosen.  These readings will be due the week of April 18, 2017.  No exceptions.

 

Research Paper Grading Scale

For select courses taught by Jerry L. Klein

1. Mechanics:                                                                                                                                      20%

Documentation and Form are graded by the standards in the MLA Handbook (consult your syllabus).

       A.         Introduction                       5         4         3         2         1         0         5%

                        Grammar/Spelling

                               Evidence of Proof-Reading

                               Neatness

                               Documentation/Form    

         B.         Body                                 5         4         3         2         1         0         5%

                        Grammar/Spelling

                               Evidence of Proof-Reading

                               Neatness

                               Documentation/Form

        C.         Conclusion                          5         4         3         2         1         0         5%

                        Grammar/Spelling

                               Evidence of Proof-Reading

                               Neatness

                               Documentation/Form    

         D.         Bibliography                       5         4         3         2         1         0         5%

                        Form/Content

                               Completeness/Consistency

                               Neatness

                               Spelling

                               Any Obvious Sources Not Consulted?                                   

   2.  Content:                                                                                                                                           80%

   A.         Research                            10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         B.         Thesis Statement               10        8         6         4         2        0       10%    

         C.         Documentation                   10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         D          Use of Logic/Thoughtfulness/

                     Analysis                               10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         E.         Completeness/Consistency 10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         F.         Reactions/Conclusions         10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         G.         Potential Future Value of

                     the Research                        10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         H.         Is the Paper Interesting?      10        8         6         4         2        0       10%

         I.          Length:  - ______ points (acceptable length loses zero points)

  3.    Total Points/Letter Grade:                                                            ______\______     

 4.     Comments:

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All students are required to follow the AC Student Rights/Responsibilities Statement (On the internet, go to www.actx.edu  and look under the “campus bookmarks”).          

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN:                         COURSE GRADING SCALE:                 

First Examination                  25%                             90-100               A

Second Examination             25%                             80-89                 B

Final Examination                 25%                             70-79                 C      

Research Paper                   25%                              60-69                 D

                       100%                               0-59                  F

 

Attendance

Regular attendance and classroom participation. One unexcused absence will result in the loss of one letter grade for the semester unless it is made up.  Absences may be excused if they are the result of illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.   It is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about this, though.  He will never bring it up to you. Unexcused absences may be made up by doing extra work as approved by your instructor. 

Calendar

Additional Information

OFFICES:       Philosophy Office: Byrd Business Building, room 316

                        Religion Office: Amarillo Bible Chair, 2501 S. Jackson Street

EMAIL:  jlklein@actx.edu; and/or in AC Connect. 

OFFICE HOURS: 8:00-8:45 AM, Mondays through Thursdays at Byrd, room 316.  I am also in my Bible Chair office every Monday through Thursday afternoon from 2:00-3:00 PM unless I have a faculty meeting on campus, and can be available at almost any time by appointment.

PHONE:           806-371-5397, Philosophy Office in Byrd 316 (during office hours only)  

                         806-372-5747, Amarillo Bible Chair Office, 2501 S. Jackson

                         806-683-7465, Cell (available anytime other than when I am in class)

ACCESSING AC Connect:

Online communication will be achieved between students and the professor by using AC Connect.  It is the student's responsibility to check for email messages and announcements regarding this class by clicking on AC Connect at the top of the Amarillo College home page, and then clicking on the icon identifying this class.  You will be able to communicate with both your classmates and professor, check your syllabus and reviews for the examinations, and find your grades posted there.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

All matters of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, collusion, and fabrication and cheating will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question.  All violations will be reported to the proper college authorities for review.

CELL PHONES/PERSONAL COMPUTERS:

In order to not interrupt the class, students are asked to turn off or silence all cell phones prior to the beginning of each class session unless they are using their phone App to read the Bible.  Personal computers are allowed for taking notes and/or looking up materials that will contribute to our class discussion.  However, the improper use of cell phones and/or computers will not be tolerated.  Answering a call or text on your cell phone is not allowed unless you have previously told your instructor that you possibly expect and emergency call.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

Your instructor wants this class to be both interesting and fun, but any form of disruptive classroom behavior will not be tolerated.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: We will identify and describe the world of first century Judaism in the context of its life in the Roman Empire.  We will also seek to understand how “Christianity” was born and blossomed in both those environments.  In so doing, we will also introduce, analyze and integrate the historical and literary contexts of each of the four gospels, address the issue of the so-called “synoptic problem,” and consider the validity and truthfulness of the additional “apocryphal” gospels which are not included in the New Testament.  The successful student will demonstrate his/her knowledge of the contents and background of the New Testament by obtaining a minimum of at least 70% competency in the stated student learning outcomes.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES):

• To understand the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that Biblical scholars and comparative religionists use to investigate and understand the New Testament.
• To effectively summarize the contents of each of the four gospels included in the New Testament.
• To identify and effectively analyze the origins, historical, social, and cultural emphasis of each of the four gospels.
• To identify and effectively analyze the various literary genres and styles found in the four gospels.
• To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the understanding and explanation of the historical evidence for, and principle teachings regarding, the Life of Christ.
• To put a special focus on the teaching of Christ himself.
• To demonstrate the ability to use the basic research tools available in the field of religion, and draw reasonable conclusions on the basis of careful personal study.
• To identify and understand differences and commonalities within the diverse cultures the first century C.E. and today, and how the Christian scriptures may be valuable in both.