Old Testament

Spring Semester 2008

Instructor:    Ian Dommer, osb   Office – Room 304B  Phone – 2502  E-mail- idommer@csbsju.edu

Text :             Gustafson, Janie. Journey Through the Old Testament. Harcourt Religion Publishers. Dubuque, IA 52002.

Web site:      http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/idommer/OT.htm  

Course Description:  This course is meant to help students understand the Old Testament.  It will help students apply the message of Scripture to their own lives for the maturation of personal faith and moral living. The course reflects contemporary Biblical scholarship and the Roman Catholic Tradition.  This course is taught from a specifically Roman Catholic perspective.

Course Objectives: This course strives to achieve the following objectives

·        To introduce students to the literary styles and techniques used throughout the Old Testament, 

·        To provide a historical context for each Old Testament book, so that the student can understand why the book was written and the needs of the audience for whom it was written,

·        To transmit an understanding of authentic Christian faith and moral teachings as found its roots in the Old Testament and the Tradition of the Catholic church,

Grading:        The percent grades you will get on exams are converted to letter grades thus: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, below 60=F.  Note that some assignments are given only a letter grade, not a percentage.  Some assignments designed primarily for preparation for class participation are graded either full credit or zero credit.  I’ll let you know when this is the case.

Your final grade will be based on these categories: Exams-45%, Homework/quizzes-35%, Participation-20%. 

A note about participation: Your active and positive participation will have an effect on your grade.  Every progress report I will give you a grade for participation which reflects my judgement of your participation.  I will use three grades, A, C, & F for participation.  You will get an A if you participate in discussion, have your homework done on time, and are a positive influence.  You will get a C if there are minor infractions of classroom decorum or late or a small amount of missing work.  An F will indicate multiple infractions of classroom decorum or major disciplinary problems, lots of missing work or I have had to dismiss you from the class.

General Expectations:

1.         Be in class on time.  I will consider you late if you are not in your seat by the time I finish taking roll.  (That does not take very long!)

2.         If you are late, just take your seat with a minimum of fuss and bother.  See me at the end of class to explain your tardiness.  (See the handbook for consequences of being tardy)

3.         Assignments are due on the day they are due.  This means that they are to be finished by the beginning of the class period on the due date unless other arrangements have been made. 

4.         If you are absent, you must turn in any assignments that were due while you were absent on the day you return.  If you can’t find me you can leave the assignment with Lori in the main office.

5.         If you miss an exam or quiz, you must see me the first day that you are back in school to arrange a time to make it up. 

A.        NOTE: Any missing assignments will count as Fs on progress reports and grade reports.  You have been warned.

6.         Always bring your class materials, any text we are studying, notebook and a writing implement to class.

7.         You are expected to be cooperative in class.  Listen to me or whoever has the floor.   Civility and courtesy are expected

8.         Never throw anything away.  If there is ever a dispute about a grade etc. you will need documentation to demonstrate that I made a mistake.  Without documentation, my records will be presumed to be correct.  I make every effort to make sure that is the case.  Do not delete electronic assignments until you have received your final grade.

Course Expectations: 

A.        Reading.  You are expected to do all of the assigned reading.  I will feel free to quiz you at any time I feel it is necessary.

B.         Homework.  Homework is to be turned in on time.  It has to be in a legible format, either neatly handwritten in ink or word processed.  (If writing by hand, do not double space; double spacing is only for word processed work.)

Copyright 2003-2006 St. John's Abbey, MN 56321 / Rev. 12.21.07
URL:http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/idommerOTSyllabus.htm
Contact: < idommer@csbsju.edu>