The New Testament Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Administrative Drop Policy

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

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Course

RELG-1302-001 The New Testament

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of the New Testament with emphasis on the teaching and the life of Christ and the beginning of the Christian church.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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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, ISBN: 9781426772498; AND this syllabus.

Supplies

Your textbook, 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

Student Learning Outcomes (Exemplary Educational Objectives):

1. To understand the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that Biblical scholars and  comparative religionists use to investigate and understand the New Testament.
2. To effectively summarize the contents of each book of the New Testament.
3. To identify and effectively analyze the origins, historical, social, and cultural emphasis of each book of the New Testament.
4. To identify and effectively analyze the various literary genres and styles found in the New Testament.
5. To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the understanding and explanation of the historical evidence for, and principle teachings of, the New Testament.
6. To develop an awareness of the expansion of Christianity in the first century and the key problems that the movement faced, while at the same time discussing how it attempted to handle each of those problems.
7. 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.

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

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

All matter of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, cheating etc. will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question.  All violations will be forwarded to the proper college authorities for review.  Any form of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

 

Cell Phone / Personal Computer Policy:  In order to not interrupt the class session, students are asked to turn off cell phones and pagers 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.

 

Classroom Rules and Expectations: Be courteous to your fellow student and to your instructor. Please do not interrupt a fellow student or your instructor by doing any of the following, eating in class, drinking in class, misbehaving in class, etc.  Behavior that is deemed inappropriate by the instructor will not be tolerated. 

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN:                                 COURSE GRADING SCALE:                

            First Examination                  25%                             90-100                A

            Second Examination             25%                               80-89                B

            Third Examination                25%                               70-79                 C       

            Final Examination                 25%                               60-69                 D

                                              100%                                 0-59                  F

                                              

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIGION 1302 (used to determine your grade):

1. Attendance. One unexcused absence will result in the loss of one letter grade for the semester unless that absence is made up.  Two unexcused absences will result in the loss of two letter grades unless at least that second absence is made up.  You cannot pass this class with more than two unexcused absences without doing significant make-up work.  All absences may be excused if they are the result of illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.   As an adult, it is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about this. 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 textbook (see the class outline on this syllabus to find your specific reading assignments), and all class handouts
3. Testing. The successful completion of four major examinations.  The final examination will be comprehensive—but there will be no questions asked on the final that cover material the student has been previously tested over unless those questions are worded in the same way that they were worded on the previous examination.    See the course outline and calendar on this syllabus for the dates of these exams.
4. Discussions. Active participation in our classroom discussions.  This class is academic—not doctrinal. However, any doctrinal point-of-view may be expressed if relevant, but you must speak respectfully to and of your fellow students and the instructor during all class discussions.  We will discuss the principles of academic freedom and critical thinking throughout the course of this class.

 

Attendance

One unexcused absence will result in the loss of one letter grade for the semester unless that absence is made up.  Two unexcused absences will result in the loss of two letter grades unless at least that second absence is made up.  You cannot pass this class with more than two unexcused absences without doing significant make-up work.  All absences may be excused if they are the result of illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.   As an adult, it is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about this. 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

8:00-8:45 AM, Monday through Thursday in Byrd Hall, room 316, and 2:00-3:00 PM, on Monday through Thursday in the Amarillo Bible Chair (ABC)

PHONE:         806-372-5747, Religion Office – Amarillo Bible Chair (ABC)

                        806-371-5397, Philosophy Office (Byrd 316)

                        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.

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 survey the historical and literary contexts of each “book” of the New Testament, and how they compare to both each other and other documents preserved from that same historical period.  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.