Mid-South Christian College Professor: Dr. Alton D. Merchant 3097 Knight Rd. E-mail: amerch2401@suddenlink.net Memphis, TN 38181 Cell: 870 816-5459 www.midsouthcc.org Office: 870 829-3236 Version: A Date: 30 April 2008 BIBLICAL GEOGRAPHY GB203 Summer 2008 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course offers the student a Holy Land experience through the Geography of the Bible Lands. The climate, geography, customs and social conditions of the lands and peoples whose history is intertwined with the biblical themes and events will be studied in a theological perspective. The student will gain a background of organized knowledge that is foundational for further study in the Scriptures and for preparation for preaching and teaching. THE MISSION OF MSCC Mid-South Christian College exists to glorify God by partnering with Christian Churches in raising up individuals called by God to fulfill the global vision of Christ by facilitating their academic, practical and spiritual preparation. STUDENT CORE LEARNING THREADS (ACLTS) 1. Demonstrate competence in the research, interpretation and application of the inspired Word of God in both the Old and New Testaments, at an undergraduate academic level of scholarship. (ABIB) 2. Demonstrate competence in effective public communication through various forms including listening, preaching, teaching, dialoging and writing. (ACOM) COURSE OBJECTIVES Course Objective As a result of having completed this course, the student will... 1. Understand significance to interpreting the Bible with a knowledge of the geography, history, and customs of the lands of the Bible and its people Goal that it Supports This objective supports... ABIB because the student will demonstrate an understanding of interpretation of the Bible, through reading, writing, handling maps, and daily testing on reading and maps 1
2. Utilize the geography, history, and customs of the land and its people in planning to teach, preach or write ACOM because the student will participate in writing lessons, papers and teaching 15 min. on a related topic in class COURSE TEXTBOOKS Study Bible with both Old and New Testaments Robertson, O. Palmer. Understanding the Land of the Bible: A Biblical Theological Guide. Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing, 1996. ISBN 0-87552-399-4. Vos, Howard F. Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003. ISBN. 1-56563-349-0. Holman Quick Source Bible Atlas with Charts and Biblical Reconstructions. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, ISBN 2005. 0-8054-9445-6. PLAGIARISM. Students are expected to give proper credit when using the ideas of others. This frequently takes the form of quotation marks with proper footnotes or endnotes giving the source of the quotation. For examples, consult Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, & Dissertations. 6th ed., or 7th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. Submitting work done by another person as your own results in an F for the assignment and can result in further academic disciplinary measures. CLASS ATTENDANCE Regularity in class attendance is considered absolutely essential to the proper completion of a course. Absences caused by college sponsored activities are the only excused absences. All unexcused absences will result in the lowering of grades and may result in additional work. After absences equal to three weeks of class time the student must petition the faculty to remain in the class as a credit student. Absences in excess of 25% of the total class hours will result in failure of the course. A student is considered tardy if he arrives in class after the instructor begins to call the roll or has begun class or if he leaves before the class hour is completed. Four tardies are counted as one absence. Absences immediately preceding or following a school holiday will be counted as two absences. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND INCOMPLETE GRADES All class work is to be completed as assigned. No work will be accepted after the day of the final examination unless the student has filed for an extension before that time. An Incomplete Request Form is available in the Academic Dean s office upon the payment of a $10.00 fee. This form entitles the student to an extension of 30 days in which to complete all class assignments. Failure to complete the work within that extension will result in a 2
grade of F. Announced tests and examinations should be taken when scheduled. Failure to do so will result in a late fee of $5.00 which must be paid before the test is administered. COURSE CHANGES OR WITHDRAWALS FROM COURSES Students who desire to make course changes must do so within the first two weeks of the semester. In order to withdraw from a class or change classes, a student must secure written approval from the registrar and from his instructor. Withdrawal from a class is permitted without penalty (except financial as outlined in the financial section of the catalog) during the first three weeks of the semester. After three weeks, the grade WP or WF will be given and entered on the student s transcript After 6 weeks, a student is not permitted to change a class from credit to audit. After 10 weeks, a student is not permitted to withdraw passing from any course. Withdrawal from a course without written approval from both the registrar and the instructor results in an F grade. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE A student may not withdraw from the college without notifying the dean of students, academic dean or the president. The student is expected to meet all obligations involving his instructors, the business manager, librarian and registrar. Failure to notify the college of withdrawal may result in the student forfeiting any refunds due him. REFUNDS Withdrawal refunds of tuition and room rent will be as follows: During the first two weeks of the semester - 80% During the third week of the semester - 60% During the fourth week of the semester - 40% After the fourth week of the semester - No refund COURSE ASSIGNMENTS Description Date due Value 1 Daily Quiz including Maps and Class Participation Week 2-5, 7-13 3 20% 2 Choose topic for Power Point Presentation Week 3 N/A
3 Choose another topic from list for term paper (6-8 page) Mid-Term N/A 4 Mid-Term Power Point Presentation to class (15-20 min) Mid-Term 25% 5 Prepare a Bibliography on topic (at least 1 page) Week 7 10% 6 Final paper 1 Final Exam 20% 7 Final Exam 25% Total 100% A STUDENT MUST TURN IN EVERY ASSIGMENT ON THE SYLLABUS IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE. IF A STUDENT ELECTS TO RECEIVE A LESSER GRADE (E.G., A, B, OR C) BY FAILING TO TURN IN AN ASSIGMENT HE/SHE WILL FAIL THE COURSE. COURSE CALENDAR Class Date Topic Assignment 1 May 5 th Introduction to class Introduction to Vos Forward to Bible Atlas Preface and Intro to Robertson 2 12 th Quiz Mesopotamia The Land as a Whole 3 19 th Quiz Egypt 4 June 2 nd Quiz Palestine Part1 The Land Syllabus Vos pages vi-vii Holman 19 Robertson ix-x; 1-4 Terms to know (Glossary) Vos 1-55 Vos maps 2, 5, 27, 32, 46 Robertson 5-13 Holman 21-24, 91-113 Vos 59-135 Vos maps 61, 63, 93, 105 Robertson 25-29, Holman 114-132 Vos 143-212 Vos maps 151, 156, 163, 195, 203 Robertson 15-24, 29-37 Holman 36-90 1 Papers are to be done according to Turabian with MSCC cover sheet, footnotes and Bibliography. Use Textbooks and 3 Sources. Describe: 1) relevance to the Bible; 2) geographical features (rainfall, agriculture, unusual terrain features; 3) brief history. Page count applies to the body of the paper only. 4
5 9 th Quiz Palestine Part 2 Mountains, Rivers, Climate & Vegetation Conquest & Judges Vos 212-271 Vos maps 164, 223, 239 Robertson 39-62 Holman 134-156 Turn in your Topic for Writing Assignment 6 16 th Mid-Term Exam Present Power Point Presentation (15 to 20 min) 7 23 rd Quiz Phoenicia Syria Towns & Cities Part 1 The United Kingdom 8 30 th Quiz Syria Towns & Cities Part 2 Jerusalem & Divided Monarchy 9 July 7 th Quiz Biblical Iran, Cyprus Assyria, Babylon, Persia 10 14 th Quiz Asia Minor Part 1 11 21 st Quiz Asia Minor Part 2 Jesus 12 28 th Quiz Greece I Land of the Bible & the New Age of the New Covenant Paul 13 Aug 4 th Quiz Contrasting Perspectives on the Land Revelation Review Vos 333-367 Vos maps 356, 372 Robertson 63-77 Holman 156-163 Turn in Bibliography on Topic Vos 371-423 Vos map 362 Robertson 89-107 Holman164-189 Vos 427-461, 465-483 Vos maps 428, 467 Holman 190-239 Vos 491-546 Vos maps 493, 531, 544 Vos 546-608 Vos map 585 Holmon 286-347 Vos 613-670 Vos map 614 Robertson 109-131 Holman 348-376 Vos 670-714 Vos maps 628, 661 Robertson 133-144 Holman 377-385 14 11 th FINAL EXAM Final Paper Due 5
BIBLIOGRAPHY Archaeology Adams, J. McKee. Ancient Records and the Bible: A Survey of Archaeology. Broadman Press: Nashville, 1965. Ritmeyer, Leen. Temple and the Rock. Ritmeyer: Harrogate, 1996. Atlas Adams, J. McKee: Rev by Joseph A. Callaway. Biblical Backgrounds. Broadman Press, 1965. Aharoni, Yohanan & Avi-Yonah, Michael. Macmillan Bible Atlas. Macmillan: 1977.. Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography. Westminster: Philadelphia, 1979.. Carta Bible Atlas, 4th ed. with Index to Persons. Carta: Jerusalem, 2002. Bimson, J. J., and J. P. Kane, eds. New Bible Atlas. IVP: Downers Grove, 1985. Cleave, Richard L. W. Holy Land Satellite Atlas: Terrain Recognition - Vol. 1. Rohr: Nicosia, 1999.. Holy Land Satellite Atlas: The Regions. Vol. 2. Rohr: Nicosia, 1999. Frank, Harry Thomas, ed. Atlas of the Bible Lands, rev ed. Hammond: Maplewood, 1990. Holman Bible Atlas: A Comprehensive Guide to the Exp Geography of Biblical History. 1998. Holman: Nashville, 1988. Geography and History Baily, Denis. Geography of the Bible: A Study in Historical Geography. Harper & Bros.: New York, 1957..Geographical Companion to the Bible. McGraw-Hill: New York, 1963.. Basic Biblical Geography. Fortress: Philadelphia, 1987. Columbia Global Media. Walking in their Sandals: Journey Through the Land of the Bible CD. ETA: Wheaton, 2000. DeHoff, George W. Lands of the Bible. DeHoff: Murfreesboro, 1985. 6
Hepper, Nigel. Lands of the Bible. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, 1995. Kallai, Zechariah. Biblical Historiography & Historical Geography. Peter Lang: Frankfurt, 1998. McGarvey J. W. Lands of the Bible. Pfeiffer, Charles F., ed. Baker's Bible Atlas. Baker: Grand Rapids, 1979. Ramsey, William M. Historical Geography of Asia Minor: Supplement Papers Vol 4. Robets, David. Holy Land: 123 Colored Facsimile Lithographs & Journal Guide to Israel. Wellfleet Books: New York, 1989. Smith, George Adam. Historical Geography of the Holy Land. Smith, Marsha A. Ellis. Holman Book of Biblical Charts, Maps, and Reconstructions. Broadman & Holman, 1993. Vilnay, Zev. Guide To Israel. Ahiver. 1972. Hodder & Stoughton: London, 1996. Ziese, Mark. Marking Guide for the Holy Land Satellite Atlas. Dusty Tomb: 2001. 7