University of Sioux Falls Online Course September 10 November 19, 2013 THE 140 Introduction to the Bible Instructor: David P. Gallagher, D.Min. Please use my personal email: drdavog@gmail.com Cell Phone: 602.509.1732 Course Description: A survey of the content and teachings of the Bible in historical perspective The Design of this course The design of this online course is based on Dr. John L. Hiigel s course that has proved so helpful to USF students over the years. Dr. Hiigel is a long time personal friend and colleague. On-line learning On-line courses have the same learning outcomes as face-to-face classes. They differ in that the student is primarily responsible for his/her learning. There are no lectures, per se, however there may be brief videos occasionally to enhance discussion. Rather the faculty member provides reading and activity assignments (e.g., text, activities, and links). Each student evidences his/her responses to their learning by completing assignments on time and participating in the written interactions with other students. Students come to the course with differing levels of experience on the topic of the Bible. We will draw on your rich first-hand experience and background as we examine the survey of the content and teachings of the Bible in historical perspective. Technical Skill Prerequisites: Students are expected to possess the following skills in order to participate in an online course. Using e-mail Sending and receiving messages to individuals or lists Creating or opening attachments to e-mail Printing, saving, and deleting e-mail messages Using Word Processing Software Saving, deleting, moving, renaming, and printing document files Creating and managing document folders Using the Internet Searching the web for information Downloading and printing information from websites Downloading, viewing, and/or printing PDF files Accelerated This online course is accelerated in that all material will be covered in ten weeks. This is in contrast to a typical undergraduate schedule of 15 weeks. Accelerating the course makes some assumptions about learning that you are able to process and integrate material more quickly and have writing and analytic skills that you can draw on to complete the work in the abbreviated timeframe. Even so, you must commit to at least 5-6 hours a week to this course, in order to complete the readings and reflect on them. Aims This is a Liberal Arts Core Course at USF designed to contribute toward the following objective: Students who experience the Liberal Arts Core will develop a mindset that reflects on truth, beauty, goodness, and the Christian faith and will engage in the world constructively. In this course, students will: 1. Explain the Bible s layout and its overarching story and message. 2. Describe practices for responsibility interpreting the various kinds of writing in the Bible according to each section s literary, cultural, and historical setting.
3. Articulate some key biblical ideas. 4. Apply discoveries through asking good questions and seeking answers. 5. Analyze the Bible discerningly as a tool for living and serving. Value of the Course 1. One of the aims of this university is to equip students to integrate Christian faith with the way they live their lives and approach their careers. The Bible is our primary resource for understanding God, His love for us in Christ, and His call upon our lives. For those students who desire it and are open to it, the course can provide significant stimulus and help for working out life with God. 2. The Bible has had enormous impact over the centuries upon individual lives and on society as a whole. It has affected the course of history, the development of the arts and literature, and the formation of the modern scientific enterprise. Understanding the Bible provides a valuable foundation for the rest of a student s university education. 3. The Bible has been the center of much controversy and has been misused. Students will improve their skills not only for studying the Bible and reading literature about the Bible, but for applying its teachings to life situations and for evaluating its use by people of influence. Required Reading [View Announcements, How Bible References Work and Bible Reading Suggestions SoftChalk for information] 1. The Bible. The instructor will be using the New International Version (NIV). Some students have a Bible that is personal to them, and they may use it for the course readings, especially if it is in the Today s New International Version (TNIV), the English Standard Version the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the [Catholic] New American Bible (NAB) or the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Other versions than those may make reading assignments or class discussion postings more difficult. 2. Zondervan Handbook to the Bible, ed. Patrick and David Alexander (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999). We will use this book constantly. 3. Understanding the Bible, John Stott (Zondervan 1984) 4. Partnering with the King, John L. Hiigel, (Paraclete Press 2013) Learning Activities and Grades [View Bible Reading suggestions and Course Rubrics SoftChalk] Weekly Postings: [View Postings SoftChalk for more information]. 1. QQR Postings: Each week after you have done the assigned Bible reading and Zondervan Handbook reading, you are to make two postings by Wednesday midnight. One posting must be on the Bible passages and one posting must be on the Zondervan Handbook reading following the QQR format. QQR format means that from your reading you offer one Question, one Quotation and one Reflection (Approximately 150 words for each posting). Underlined Scripture references in the schedule of readings mean for you to read not only the Bible passage, but also the accompanying white material in the Handbook. Y refers to the yellow portion on a page(s) in the Handbook. Since there are a number of readings for each week you may choose which specific readings to post on. You will be penalized 1 point per day if you make your posting after midnight on Wednesday. You will not be able to see what others have posted until you make your posting. 2. Response Postings: By midnight Saturday you are to read what other students have posted. Make one response (Not QQR) to a Bible posting and one response (NOT QQR) to a Zondervan Handbook posting (Approximately 100 words each). 3. Partnering with the King (PWK) readings and postings: You are to read three daily readings from Partnering with the King each week and make one reflection posting by Saturday midnight (100 150 words Not QQR).
4. Assignments: For several of the readings in the Bible, accompanying written exercises will be provided described in the syllabus schedule of readings. Written responses will be due as noted on the syllabus (closed Saturday at midnight) 5. Psalms, Gospel of John and Ephesians Paper: Each student will select five Psalms, one from each of the five books within the Psalms as outlined on page 359 in the top blue box of the Zondervan Handbook. (Read pages 359-392 in the Zondervan Handbook). Write ½ page on each Psalm and include an overview, analysis and your response to each of the five Psalms. All written papers are to be in Word, double spaced, 11-pt font and.5 margins (½ inch margins). The paper you turn in will be a total of 5½ - 6 pages, e.g. 2½ pages on the five Psalms, 2 page on the Gospel of John and 1 1½ page on the book of Ephesians (Do not include a cover/title page). [View Psalms, Gospel of John and Ephesians Paper SoftChalk for more information]. 6. Four exams: Students will take an exam covering the first five books of the Old Testament, an exam on the rest of the Old Testament, an exam on the Gospels and a final exam on the rest of the New Testament. The exams will be open book similar to the seven short assignments. The exams will be available Saturday Midnight and due the following Saturday Midnight. 7. Book Summary: Each student is required to read Understanding the Bible by John Stott (Zondervan 1984) and write a one page summary/review. All written papers are to be in Word, double spaced, 11-pt font and.5 margins [View Book Summary Guidelines SoftChalk for more information]. Grading will be weighed as follows Total of 600 Points Possible Day Total Points Assignment Instructions Points 100 points Paper on Selected Psalms, Gospel of John and Ephesians 50 points Paper on Understanding the Bible by John Stott Monday (Tue the first week) By Wednesday Midnight Check in for your assignment(s) for the week 100 Points Post your two - QQR s 1) Bible reading posting 2) Handbook reading posting (150 words each of thoughtful QQR reflection) 5 points each 5 points each By Saturday midnight 60 points Read what the other students have posted Respond to any two postings (100 words each) 3 points each 50 points Partnering with the King Postings Respond to daily readings (100 word posting) 5 points each 140 points Seven short assignments 20 points each 100 points Four exams 25 points each
Grade Scale: A 600 567 (94.5%) A 566 552 (92%) B+ 551 534 (89%) B 533 510 (85%) B- 509 486 (81%) C+ 485 468 (78%) C 467 444 (74%) C- 443 426 (71%) D+ 425 408 (68%) D 407 384 (64%) D- 383 366 (61%) Instructor Participation I will not jump in the middle of the interaction among students as I anticipate that students will be the best one s to respond to each other in this course. I do make many private response postings to class members to provide encouragement and direction and occasionally make a posting for the entire class. Academic Honesty/Integrity Everyone who participates in the educational process at USF is expected to pursue honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic work. It is critical that the work you submit is your own. When you borrow material from your peers and represent it as your own or copy without attribution it is considered plagiarism. So, when in doubt attribute the work directly by quotes or in summary fashion following your summarized presentation and identified in the references in appropriate style. Since all students are reading the same assignments, it is critical for your discussion board postings that you have new fresh quotes or summaries of important gleanings rather than repeating what others write. It is the student s responsibility to notify the university concerning any courses that they are no longer attending, as well as intent to leave the university. Discontinuing participation or notifying an instructor does not constitute an official course or university withdrawal. Lack of engagement may have a significant negative impact on the student s grade in the course at the discretion of the instructor. Netiquette Remember the persons on the other side are human. Imagine how you'd feel if you were in the other person's shoes. Stand up for yourself, but try not to hurt people's feelings. Remember that your work reflects on you as a person. check your spelling before posting a message Keep in mind that everything you write, indeed every click of your mouse is recorded on a network server. On the Internet there are no take backs. Be understanding of others. No all CAPS it is shouting No flaming Strong opinions are good, angry ones not so much Be careful with sarcasm there is no sarcasm font. Messages should be polite and as short as possible while still getting your point across. Review all discussion postings before posting your own to prevent redundancy. Keep in mind that you are taking a college class. Something that would be inappropriate in a traditional classroom is also inappropriate in an online classroom. The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. Copyright law, which allows the creator of an original work to benefit from it, applies to the Internet Students are expected to present original ideas and give credit for the ideas of others.
Status of the Syllabus: This syllabus is a flexible working document. Adjustments to the topics covered or timing of coverage may occur depending on the needs of the class or unforeseen circumstances. This instructor intends to give as much notice as possible regarding potential scheduling changes. Unit 1 (Weeks 1-3) The Pentateuch Genesis through Deuteronomy By the end of this unit you should be able to explain the major themes found in the first five books of the Bible. Reading Assignment or Resources: Read Genesis selected biblical passages and Zondervan Handbook as outlined in the syllabus under weeks 1-3. Related Handouts: Complete the short assignment number 1 on Genesis 2. Learning Activities or Assignments: Two postings are due each Wednesday on the readings, two are due each Saturday responding to two other student s postings and one is due on Saturday on Partnering with the King. Assessment: The instructor will evaluate the postings, short assignment and an exam, assigning points for each. Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Week 1 TU 9/10/13 Beginnings In the Garden Sin, Judgment and Grace Call, Faith Read the syllabus. Read Psalm 104:1-9 (=the 104 th Psalm, verses 1-9); Job 38:1-11 ( = Job, chapter 38, verses 1-11); and Genesis 1:1 2:3 (=Genesis chapter 1, verse 1, through chapter 2, verse 3). (Underlined references in this schedule of readings mean for you to read not only the Bible passage, but also the accompanying white material in the Handbook, in this case, on pp. 115-116). In addition, read Handbook, p. 95 ( Our World Their World ). Genesis 2:4-25 Genesis 3-4 and 6 (= chapters 3, 4, and 6) Genesis 11:1-9 Genesis 11:27 13:18; 15:1-21 Handbook, in this case, on pp. 115-116). In addition, read Handbook, p. 95 ( Our World Their World ). Handbook, (in addition to p. 116) all of the articles, pp. 117-119 ( Creation Stories and People as God s Caretakers ). Handbook, not necessary for chapter 6; Genesis 8:6-9:17 ( = chapter 8, through chapter 9, verse 17). Handbook Y123-124 (= read all the articles on Handbook pages 123-124 [ flood Stories ] (Today s readings in the Handbook are typical of many during the course, in that the boundaries of the Bible reading assignment do not match Assignment
Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading exactly the divisions within the Handbook. The principle is: read all of the Handbook W 9/11 material associated with the assigned Bible reading. You S 9/14/13 may always omit the fine print in the Handbook.) Week 2 M 9/16/13 W 9/18/13 S 9/21/13 Week 3 M 9/23/13 Land, Covenant, Election God the Liberator Covenant Law Applying Covenant Law Genesis 16:1 18:33; 21:1-13; 22:1-19; Genesis 27 28 Exodus 1:1-14. Exodus 3:1 4:17; 4:29 6:13; 11:1 12:42; 14:1-31; 16:1-36 Exodus 19:1 20:21; Deuteronomy 5 6; Deuteronomy 10:12-22; 30:11-20. Exodus 18:13-27; Leviticus 16:11-34; Leviticus 18:1-5; 19:1-37 Handbook Y143-145 ( Women of Faith; Jacob ). Think in terms of: What does it say, What does it mean and What shall we do? It may be helpful as you read all of the remaining portions of today s assignment to write a list on the posting of when you think Moses or the Israelites showed faith and when they did not. Include verse numbers and brief explanations of your decisions. This will not be turned in. Handbook Y170-172 ( A Way of Life: the Ten Commandments Handbook Y210-211 ( Covenants and Near Eastern Treaties ), Handbook Y214-215 ( The Promised Land ); Handbook, pp. 182-183 ( Sacrifice ) Read over the chart, Handbook, pp. 50-51 Assignment Day 1-3 Day 4-6 Assignment #1. W9/25/13 Revelation Exodus 32; 33:18 34:8; Handbook Y162 ( The Names of God ) Handbook, pp. 109-113 ( The Five Books ) S 9/28/13 Day 7-9
Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Assignment Exam on Genesis through Deuteronomy Unit 2 (Weeks 4-5) Joshua through the end of the Old Testament By the end of this unit you should be able to describe the major themes found in Joshua through the end of the Old Testament. Reading Assignment or Resources: Read selected biblical passages and Zondervan Handbook as outlined in the syllabus under weeks 4-5. Related Handouts: Complete the short assignment number 2 and 3. Learning Activities or Assignments: Two postings are due each Wednesday on the readings, two are due each Saturday responding to two other student s postings and one is due on Saturday on Partnering with the King. Assessment: The instructor will evaluate the postings, short assignments and an exam, assigning points for each. Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Assignment Week 4 M 9/30/13 Into the Land / Crisis of the Covenant Joshua 1:1-11; 5:13 6:27 1 Samuel 8; Judges 2:6-23; Judges 4; 6:1-24; 8:22-35 Handbook Y234 ( Holy War ); 23:1-16; Handbook, p. 238 (Introduction to Judges) Handbook Y247-248 ( Understanding Judges ); Israel s Golden Age Israel s Golden Age / Wisdom Feminine Wisdom / Wisdom s Limits 1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 7 Psalm 23 (= Psalm of Trust), Psalms 42, 130, 137 (= Lament Psalms), Psalm 51 (= Penitential Psalm); Psalms 8, 103, 139 (=Hymns of Praise). 1 Kings 3; 4:20-34 Proverbs 2:1 3:7; Proverbs 5 and 10 Proverbs 8:1 9:6; 31:10-31; Job 28; Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 73 Handbook Y382 ( Self-justification, Cursing and Vengeance in Psalms ) Handbook Y269-271 ( David ); Handbook, pp. 359-360 (Introduction to the Psalms); Handbook Y279-280 ( Solomon s Temple and Its Successors ); Handbook Y397-398 ( Important Themes in Proverbs 10-31 ); and pp. 515 through 516 middle of the second column ( Deuterocanonical Books ). W 10/2/13 S 10/5/12 Handbook Y395 ( Wisdom in Proverbs and Job ); Day 10-12
Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Assignment Assignment #2 Week 5 M 10/7/13 Crisis of the Monarchy / Prophets 2 Samuel 11, 12; 1 Kings 11:1-13; 16:29 17:16; 18:16 19:18; Jeremiah 22:1-17; 37:11 38:13 Handbook Y423-424 ( Prophets and Prophecy ). Judgment and Grace 2 Kings 17:1-23 and 2 Kings 22; Hosea 11. Hosea 1-3 Read Handbook Y491-492 ( Justice and the Poor ). Handbook Y423-424 ( Prophets and Prophecy ); W 10/9/13 S 10/12/13 Restoration after Exile Isaiah 40:1-11; 52:13 53:13; 55: 1-13; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Malachi 3:1-5; 4:1-6 Handbook, pp. 220-223 ( Israel s History Day 13-15 Assignment #3 Exam on the Old Testament from Joshua Onward Unit 3 (Weeks 6-7) Matthew, Mark, Luke and John By the end of this unit you should be able to articulate the major themes found in the first four books of the New Testament. Reading Assignment or Resources: Read selected biblical passages in the Gospels and Zondervan Handbook as outlined in the syllabus under weeks 6-7. Related Handouts: Complete the short assignments 4 and 5. Learning Activities or Assignments: Two postings are due each Wednesday on the readings, two are due each Saturday responding to two other student s postings and one is due on Saturday on Partnering with the King. Assessment: The instructor will evaluate the postings, short assignments and an exam, assigning points for each. Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Assignment Week 6 M 10/14/13 Emmanuel The Kingdom Has Come Matthew 1:18 2:23 and Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-52 Matthew 3 4 and 8 9 Handbook, pp. 521-523 ( The Greeks ); 527 ( What Is the New Testament? ); 541-544 (about the four Gospels) Handbook Y563-564 ( Jesus and the Kingdom ). How s it If you have not already done so, make a plan now to fulfill the 5½-6 page paper on Psalms/the Gospel of John
Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Assignment Near going on the book summary of & Ephesians Understanding the Bible? Assignment. W 10/16/13 S 10/19/13 Week 7 M 10/21/13 Greater Righteousne ss Issues in Following Jesus Kingdom Surprises Read Matthew 5 7 Read Matthew 18 19. Postings will include passages in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 7) about money, marriage, and conflict. Matthew 9:35 12:37; 14:1 17:23; also 21:28-32. Handbook Y569-570 ( Jesus and the Old Testament ) and Handbook, pp. 528-531 ( Jewish Religion in New Testament Times ). Day 16-18 Assignment #4 Prayer Parables of the Kingdom Matthew 6:5-15, 25-34; 7:7-11; 18:18-20; 21:18-22. Matthew 13 A Ransom for Many Handbook Y574-575 ( Passover and the Last Supper ). Resurrection, Hope, Great Commission Luke 24; Matthew 28; 9:35-38; Acts 1:1-14 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-24, 51-58 Handbook Y619-620 ( Jesus Resurrection W 10/23/13 Born of the Spirit John 3:1-21 John 13:1-17; 14:25 15:17; 16:5-15. Read Handbook, pp. 538-544 ( The Gospels and Jesus Christ ) S 10/26/13 Day 19-21 Assignment #5 Exam on the Gospels
Unit 4 (Weeks 8-10) Acts through the end of the New Testament By the end of this unit you should be able to explain the major themes found in the themes found in the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. Reading Assignment or Resources: Read selected biblical passages in the Gospels and Zondervan Handbook as outlined in the syllabus under weeks 8-10. Related Handouts: Complete the short assignments 6 and 7. Learning Activities or Assignments: Two postings are due each Wednesday on the readings, two are due each Saturday responding to two other student s postings and one is due on Saturday on Partnering with the King. Complete a five-page paper on the Psalms/Gospel of John/Ephesians as well as two book reports. Assessment: The instructor will evaluate the postings, short assignments and an exam, assigning points for each. Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Week 8 M 10/28/13 Incarnation, Coming of the Spirit Sin, Judgment, and Grace John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-4; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:9-10; Acts 2:1-24, 36-47; chapters 3 4 Acts 9:1-22 (Saul = Paul; see Acts 13:9) ( Paul ); Romans 1; 3:9-31; 5:1-11; Handbook Y551-552 ( God With Us the Incarnation Handbook Y655-656 ( Good News from the First Christians ). Handbook Y689-690 Handbook Y636 ( The Peace of God ) Assignment Counsel to a Troubled Church Read the entire book of 1 Corinthians with an eye to discovering the situation for which the Apostle Paul wrote the letter. As you read, gather information to fill in the four columns on the chart laid out in Assignment Handout #6. W 10/30/13 S 11/2/13 Week 9 M 11/4/13 More about Paul and the Corinthians Freedom, Life in the Spirit Acts 18:1 19:10; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 6:20-23; 12:1-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-26; Romans 8 Handbook Y661-662 ( The Holy Spirit in Acts ); Handbook Y703 ( Spiritual Gifts ); Handbook Y637 ( Love ) Day 22-24 Psalms/Gospel of John & Ephesians 5 Page Paper due Assignment # 6
Week Topic Bible Reading Zondervan Handbook Reading Ethical Romans 12 14. Handbook Y701 ( Sexual Decision Continued discussion of Issues in the Church at Making in Romans 14 and decision Corinth ) the Gray making in the gray areas. W 11/6/13 Areas Assignment S 11/9/13 Week 10 M 11/11/13 W 11/13/13 Who Is Jesus? Hope for the Persecuted. Hebrews 1; 2; 4; Revelation 1; 4; 5 Hebrews 10:19 12:13; Revelation 19 22 Handbook, pp. 763-764 ( Numbers with Special Meaning ) Handbook Y771 ( Understanding Revelation ) Day 25-27 Assignment #7 S 11/16/13 M 11/18/13 Day 28-31 Final Exam Book Summary due Last day to submit any assignments