Departmental Course Syllabus

(Revision Date: Fall 2005)

 Department: English                                                                             

San Antonio College * 1300 San Pedro* San Antonio, TX* 78212-4299

Course Number and Title: English 2373, The Bible as Literature (WI)

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Varies

Office:         Phone Number: (210) 486-0649                    FAX: 486-1509

Web Address: http://www.alamo.edu/sac/english/default.htm

I.          Catalog Description:

English 2373, The Bible as Literature presents the Bible as a unified literary work, focusing on selections from the Bible which have been important to the Western literary heritage. It also examines the development of Biblical canon, genres, inherent theories of interpretation, and introduces the fields of Biblical study: hermeneutics, linguistics, archaeology, culture criticism, and history. English 2373 is a Writing-intensive (WI) course.

II.        Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements:

English 1301 and 1302

III.       Text:

Department approved biblical literature text which surveys background and theories pertaining to the Bible as specified in the catalog description.

IV.       Methods of Instruction:

Instruction may include lecture, close reading and explication of assigned texts, instructor directed and guided class discussion, instructor directed and guided collaborative learning, the use of audio-visual materials and the Internet, computer-aided or computer-enhanced instruction, library instruction, and instructor initiated and directed independent library study by students.

V.        Course Content:

English 2373, The Bible as Literature, introduces students to the following content:

· Various selections from the Bible as examples of literary form: epic, history, lyric, poetry, epistle, oratory, wisdom literature, and prophetic literature.

· The influence of the Bible on secular literature, particularly on poetry and fiction.
Those elements from the Bible that have shaped Western literature, art, and thought, and the theory of language and the literary structures in the Bible which have influenced literature

· shows how the Biblical tradition has influenced literature,

· introduces the fields of Biblical scholarship.

VI.       Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students' mastery of those outcomes: 

Learning Outcome 1:

Students will be expected to develop and demonstrate the ability to read passages in the Bible carefully, deliberately, and accurately and to write about it in the same way and, in doing so, demonstrate an understanding of the historical and cultural context which are often alluded to in literature, art, and film, and recognize how the biblical tradition has influenced literature

Performance Objective and Measurement: Students will meet the requirements of Learning Outcome 1 through class discussions will include student participation and recognition of passages; student papers --to be no less than 200 words-- will include references and require thoughtful explanation, analysis, interpretation, and the use of illustrative examples from the Bible and scholarly works.

Learning Outcome 2:

Students will examine the theory of language and literary structures in the Bible which have influenced literature.

Performance Objective and Measurement:  Class discussions will include student participation and recognition of theories; student papers—200 words or more per assignment—will reflect the connections students have learned.

Learning Outcome 3:

Students will recognize the fields of biblical scholarship

Performance Objective and Measurement:  Class discussions will include student participation and recognition of the fields of scholarship; student papers—200 words or more per assignment—will reflect the use of these fields.

Learning Outcome 4:

Students will increase their command of written English.

Performance Objective and Measurement: Student papers—200 words or more per assignment—will reflect the knowledge of the recursive nature of the writing process and include recognition of audience, purpose, rhetorical stance, revision, and editing.

Depending upon the discretion of the instructor, students may also meet the requirements of Learning Outcomes 1-4 through the implementation of any one or a combination of the following Performance Objectives and Measurements:

(i) Instructor directed and guided student presentations.

(ii) Instructor directed and guided collaborative learning activities.

(iii) In-class oral responses to questions asked by instructor.

(iv) A Research Essay requiring the following: (1) library research; (2) a focus on the analysis and exposition of the historical and cultural context of authors and their works and/or specific literary modes under study; (3) the reading and synthesis of related critical and reference materials; (4) the mechanics of  good writing and presentation, which includes an MLA style annotated bibliography; (5) bibliographical competency.

VII. Course requirements and grade computation:

A.        College Requirements:

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B.         Departmental Requirement:

The student must be required to write a minimum of 2000 words, and at least 60% of a student’s grade in the course shall be based on these writing assignments. Each writing activity should be at least 200 words in length in order for the student to demonstrate usage of the writing competencies.

C. Instructor Requirements:

Varies with instructor

VIII.  College Policies:

A.         San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B.         Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C.        ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D.         A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E.         Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting

in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F.         Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/ 2000.

G.        San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.

Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W’ (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H.        San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I.          ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone     (210) 222-0911

ACCD DPS General Phone      (210) 208-8099

ACCD DPS Weather Phone    (210) 208-8189 (For information on college closures)

J. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.alamo.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf