Romans Syllabus for 2024-2025
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
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.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-2303-001 Romans

Prerequisites

Course Description

An intensive study of Paul’s letter to the Romans with emphasis upon the historical setting, its place in the canon and the major doctrinal teachings.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Your Personal Bible (any major translation will be acceptable); C. E. B. Cranfield, Romans: A Shorter Commentary, ISBN: 978-0-8028-0012-1; and this syllabus.

Supplies

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

Student Performance

1. To understand the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that Biblical scholars use to critically investigate and understand individual documents in the New Testament.
2. To effectively summarize the contents of the New Testament letter to the Romans.
3. To identify and effectively analyze the historical origins, social background, and cultural emphasis of Romans.
4. To identify and effectively analyze the literary genre and style of Paul’s writings.
5. To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the understanding and explanation of Romans.
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 distinguishing how Paul attempted to handle each of those problems.
7. To identify and understand differences and commonalities within the diverse cultures of the first century C.E. and today, and how the Christian scriptures may be valuable in both.

Students 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

Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

CELL PHONES/PERSONAL COMPUTERS:

In order to not interrupt the class, students are asked to turn off or 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 an emergency call.

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN:                                             COURSE GRADING SCALE:                

           Weekly Quizzes                                   60%                           90-100                 A

            Research                                            20%                             80-89                 B

            Final Examination                               20%                             70-79                 C       

                                                                     100%                              60-69                 D

                                                                                                     0-59                  F

GRADING CRITERIA:

1. Regular attendance is necessary in order to pass this course.  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. A careful reading of the textbook, other reading assignments and all class handouts. 
3. Active participation in our classroom discussions.  This class is academic—not doctrinal.  However, any doctrinal point-of-view may be expressed if relevant or questioned, but you must speak respectfully to and of your fellow students and the instructor during all class discussions.  Your instructor will grant you the same respect.  See the article that I have posted online in your “Content” folder regarding “Academic Freedom and Critical Thinking.” 
4. The successful completion of weekly quizzes.  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.  Consult the course outline to see when these examinations will be administered.
5. Research paper.  Read a scholarly article from Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, Hawthorne, Martin and Reid; or Preaching Romans, Fleer and Bland. Write a summary of the article.

• a) Note the importance of the article to the study of Romans.

  b) How the article shaped your understanding of the letter.

  c) This is not a term paper with footnotes or a bibliography.

  d) This is a research study using one recognized source and your response.-

  e) Length is not so important as content and your comprehension of the article.

  f) These materials are available in the Bible Chair library and Mural’s study.

                                                

Attendance

Regular attendance.  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

AI POLICY:

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. 

TUTORING POLICY:

If a student scores below 75% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work. Free tutoring is available at Ware Tutoring Center, located at Ware Student Commons 1st Floor, 806-371-5458.