RLGN 1301-SA02COLD TESTAMENT HISTORY

WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Fall Term (August 18 – November 1, 2008)

Friday, 6:00pm - 10:10pm, Lackland

Randy Houston, D. Min., Instructor

jackrandyhouston@sbcglobal.net

 

 

I.  Course Description: A study of the Old Testament historical literature with special attention to the institutions, religion, and national life of the Hebrew people.

 

II.  Textbooks: The New International Study Bible

 

III.  Purpose: To help the student (1) have an understanding of the historical setting out of which the Old Testament came; (2) develop an appreciation for the formation of the Old Testament; (3) deepen his/her understanding of the content of the Old Testament, and (4) realize the value of applying the teaching of the Old Testament to everyday life.

 

IV.  Course Requirements:

1.  Worksheets

2.      Exams

3.      Additional Assignments and Reading

4.   Attendance according to current Wayland Baptist University catalogue

 

V.  Grading: Students will be graded based on the following criteria:

1.  Worksheets will be given over the material covered in class period

a.  The worksheets must be completed and turned in at the end of the term.                   b.  Students will use these worksheets to prepare for exams.

c.  Failure to turn worksheets in at the completion of the term will lower the                           student’s grade one level (Example: AB@ to AC@).

2.  Exams are one process to evaluate learning.  Several exams will be given during the                term.  All exams will be objective in nature.  They will come from information                  gained through worksheets, class lecture, and reading.  These exams will provide              for 50% of the final grade.

3.  Additional Assignments and Reading will include selected Old Testament passages                 and other articles from textbook not discussed in class may appear on exams.

4.  Final Exam is required at the end of the term.  All material covered during the term                              will be included.  Your worksheets, class notes and reading will be used as the                              source for questions on the final exam.  It will be objective in nature.  The final                             exam will count 25% of the final grade.

5. Attendance  according to WBU catalogue requires that any student who misses 25%              or more of the regular class meetings will receive a grade of AF@ for that                      course.  The following will be used as a scale for grading:    95 (A) – no absences              or leaving class early; 85 (B) – one (1) absence; 75 (C) – two (2) absences.

            Attendance will account for 25% of the final grade.

VI.  Additional Policies:

<                    No food or drink is allowed in the classroom

<                    No cell phones or pagers are allowed on during class

<                    A student may petition the instructor for extra credit near the end of the semester if they are in jeopardy of failing the class.  After careful evaluation, the decision to grant such work will be solely at the discretion of the instructor

<                    It is the university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.  Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities the first class meeting.

 

VII.  Course Schedule:          

 

Aug         22                             Introduction to Old Testament & Pentateuch

 

            Aug         29                             Genesis & Exodus

 

Sep           5                             TEST #1

                                                Exodus

 

Sep         12                             Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

 

Sep         19                             Introduction to the Historical Books

Joshua, Judges, Ruth    

 

            Sep         26                             TEST #2

                                                            1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles

Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther

 

Oct           3                             Introduction to the Writings

Job, Psalms

 

Oct         10                             TEST #3

                                                Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

 

Oct         17                             Introduction to the Prophets

Major Prophets

 

Oct         24                             Minor Prophets

 

Oct         31                             FINAL EXAM

 

 

 

 

 

VIII.  Subjects and Topics to be Examined:

The following will be used as a guideline for class lecture, discussion and activities.  It is not to be assumed that class information will include or be limited to these subjects

 

Creation

Fall of Man

Flood

The Patriarchs

Call of Moses

The Exodus

Plagues ( Hardening of Pharaoh=s Heart )

Crossing of the Red Sea

Wilderness Wanderings

Giving of the Law ( Ten Commandments )

Joshua: Conquest and Division

Judges

Samuel

King Saul

David

The Divided Kingdom

Poetical Books

Prophets