Prerequisites: Block class with full credit: approx. 5 hours of homework per week.
Some familiarity with major themes and stories in the Bible
Be able to read extensively
Write a paper once a month
Take a pop-quiz once a month to ensure that they are doing their reading
Keep a journal which will be graded three times during the year
Students who do not like to read, who are struggling with writing, and don' have the time to put in 5 hours for homework, will not enjoy this class.
Bible Literacy is a full high school credit and can be used as a literature or a social studies class. Although the emphasis of the course will be on Bible literacy, we will also be reviewing and discussing such varied topics as the social and literary impact on Western culture and literature. This is not a religious studies class and students will not be penalized or rewarded in any way for personally held beliefs.
Each student will be required to keep a journal which will be periodically reviewed. Homework assignments will include reading, journal entries, and a paper every alternate week and selected graded papers may be rewritten for improved grades. Grading will take into account not only the content of the paper, but also the grammar, punctuation, syntax, and spelling. Throughout the year I will also give pop quizzes which, naturally, will be unannounced. Students who are somewhat familiar with the Bible, and who keep up with their reading will have no trouble doing well in this class. Since this course covers the entire Bible in a year, this class will be difficult for anyone totally unfamiliar with the Bible. Students are encouraged to read Chapter 1 in their textbooks by the first day of class in September. There will be a test after we complete the Old Testament, and another after we complete the New Testament.
