The Old Testament Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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.

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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.

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, the textbook: The Old Testament Speaks, 5th Edition, 2000, by Samuel J. Schultz. (ISBN: 978-0062516749)

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. Attendance. Your presence in lecture classes is necessary in order to pass this course.  if you cannot be present via computer during the scheduled class time (MTWR 9:00-10:15 AM) due to jobs or other responsibilities, you should enroll in the online (Web) course that is offered.  Examples of absences which may be excused include illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.  Communication with the instructor is necessary if you cannot attend.  It is your responsibility to contact the instructor by email on ACConnect.  Unexcused absences may be made up by doing extra work as approved by your instructor.
2. Reading. Good material pertaining to the Old 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.  
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.

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:                 

Weekly Quizzes                    84%                             90-100              A

 Final Examination                16%                             80-89                B

                                            100%                           70-79                 C      

                                                                                 60-69                D

                                                                                  0-59                 F

Attendance

Regular attendance and classroom participation. See Specific Course Requirements.

Calendar

Additional Information

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.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

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

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.