The New Testament Syllabus for 2025-2026
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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. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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-1302-002 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

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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Your personal Bible, the textbook: Bruce M. Metzger, The New Testament: Its Background, Growth and Content, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 1426772491.

Supplies

Your Bible and textbook, 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

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 of these environments.  In so doing, we will 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 these books by obtaining a minimum of at least 70% competency in the stated student learning outcomes.  This means that the successful student will make at least a "C" in this class.

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.

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIGION 1302:

1. Participation. Please check your AC email and Blackboard regularly to keep up with assignments and quizzes.
2. Reading. Good material pertaining to the New Testament will be assigned for you to read.  Sections of the textbook will also be noted for reading assignments. 
3. Testing. The successful completion of weekly quizzes and a final exam.  The final examination will be comprehensive. 

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

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:                 

Quizzes 1-7                         70%                             90-100              A

Journal                                14%                             80-89                B

 Final Examination              16%                             70-79                 C      

                                                                                60-69                D

                                                                                 0-59                 F

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

Contact me if you need to make an appointment to meet: (Cell) 804-852-0515

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting
Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu.  Reports and additional information are available at www.amarillocollege.net/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 an emergency call.

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.