Marywood University: Religious Studies Department

Marywood University 
RST 201 Introduction to the Bible
Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer 

  

Course Description
Involves readings of selected books of the Bible in the context of their religious , literary and historical setting and utilizing the tools of contemporary biblical scholarship, with an eye to ascertaining their meaning for people of today.

Course Objectives
Through a study of the Bible and contemporary tools of interpretation students will be able to: 

  • Identify the major figures and events playing a part in the biblical texts.
  • Give accurate explanations of the development, background, translation and literary forms of the biblical text.
  • Exhibit an ability to read, interpret, and articulate major themes and teachings of the bible in intelligent and coherent terms.
  • Display familiarity with he research tools useful in interpreting biblical literature and use them in the analysis of a text.
  • Distinguish and apply the major approaches to biblical truth.
  • Display an attitude of respect for differences of belief and tradition both in class discussions and written work. 

Course Requirements

Communication:

a) All class communication will be through Marywood email addresses

b) Please make use of my office hours-particularly if you are having trouble with any aspect of the course. Additional times can be set with me in person or by email. 

Attendance: Attendence is required. Six unexcused absences = penalty on your final grade of 10%. If you miss a class through some unavoidable emergency, you are responsible for getting class notes from other students and checking with Moodle for class notes, announcements, changes in assignments and other information you have missed. Participation in class will be worth 5% on the final grade.

Brief Daily Assignments: Occasional quizzes (announced ahead of time) and brief daily assignments will be averaged together and make up 20% of the final grade. Correct rules of grammar and spelling are to be observed in all written work. All work handed in must be legible.

Grading criteria

Quizzes and Daily Written Assignments
As noted in the syllabus above, quizzes and occasional daily written assignments make up 20% of your grade. These will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Your cumulative grade will be the percentage of your assignments/quizzes that are passing.

Quizzes need 70% correct answers to qualify for a Pass.

Other daily writing assignments are

Pass if they are

  • handed in on the date assigned
  • show a reasonable effort to perform the assigned task

Fail if they are

  • not handed in on the day assigned
  • copied from someone else
  • show little effort or thought
  • do not adequately address the assigned task

Examinations: There will be two exams given during the semester; each ex am will be worth 25% of the final grade for a total of 50%. Each test will include both objective and essay questions. The subject matter of exams is cumulative. If an exam is missed without presenting a written statement of excuse, your exam will be penalized 10%. A missed exam must be made up within a period of one week, otherwise all credit for that exam will be forfeited. All exams will be taken in class. Correct rules of grammar and spelling are to be observed in all written work.

Research paper: A research paper of 6-8 pages on a text or theme approved in writing by the instructor. More specific instructions will be given in due time. Papers will be evaluated on the following basis: punctuality, evidence of serious reading, organization of ideas, accurate use of biblical study methods, clarity of expression and mechanics. The paper will constitute 25% of the final grade.

Grading Scale: the following grading scale will be used in determining your final mark.

Letter Grade Numerical Equivalent QPA

Letter Grade

Numerical Equibvalent

QPA

A

96-100

4.00

A-

93-95

3.67

B+

89-92

3.33

B

85-88

3.00

B-

81-84

2.67

C+

77-80

2.33

C

73-76

2.00

C-

69-72

1.67

D+

65-68

1.33

D

60-64

1.00

F

Below 60

0.00

 Textbook: Donald Senior, ed. The Catholic Study Bible.

Web Resources: http://reinert.creighton.edu/resources/suguides/theology/theology.htm
Moodle will be used extensively. Learn to use it immediately. A list of helpful websites is listed there.

Academic Honesty: See the Marywood Student Handbook, page 11, for an outline of the university's Academic Honesty Policy. There plagiarism is defined as "the offering as one's own work the words, ideas, existing imagery, or arguments of another person without appropriate attribution by quotation, reference, or footnote. It includes close paraphrasing without appropriate citation

Depending on the seriousness of the violation, students guilty of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on exams and plagiarism, are subject to failure on an assignment, zero on an assignment, or dismissal from the course with an F.

Course Accommodations: Marywood University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1073 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should advise the instructor, and submit documentation of the disability to the Office of Disability Services, Liberal Arts Center 202, in order for reasonable accommodations to be granted. The Office of Disability Services will determine the appropriate accommodation and, in cooperation with the instructor, will work to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. To best serve the needs of the student, he/she should notify the instructor and the Office of Disability Services of special accommodation needs by the last day to register for semester classes.

Office Hours: M & W 1:30-3:00; T & Th 1-2 & by appointment
Liberal Arts Center 120 Q
E-mail: mazimmer@marywood.edu
Phone: 348-6211 ex 2973

For more information contact: leombruni@es.marywood.edu

Comments to the Religious Studies Department Pagemaster: leombruni@marywood.edu

Last update October 22, 2007
Copyright © 2005 by Marywood University. All rights reserved.