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Recommended Text: Coogan, Michael D., ed. The New
Oxford Annotated Bible. 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Oxford UP, 2001.
Course Objectives: English 221B is designed to introduce
the student to The Christian Scripture (The New Testament). This is
not a course in religion or theology; it is a course in literature;
as such, The Christian Scripture will be treated as a literary, not
a sacred, text. I will not try to influence your belief, or lack
thereof, in The Bible. Instead, I will try to teach you to read
The Bible carefully and critically, using evidence from the text
to support your own conclusions about the topics addressed in this very
important work of literature. The goals of this course can be stated
more specifically in the following Student Learning Outcomes:
Course Requirements. Requirements include daily quizzes
(various points), four writing exercises (various points), two exams
(1000 points each), and a final paper (1000 points). Final grades are calculated as a percentage
of the total points possible. Those students earning 90% or more of the
total points possible will receive an "A"; those earning 80% to 89% of
the total points possible will earn a "B"; 70% to 79%, a "C"; 60%-69%, a
"D"; 59% or below, an "F."
Scholars Honors:
This course is
coordinated with the Scholars’ Honors Program. If you wish to transfer
to a UC campus, you will want to consider this program, for currently
students in the program have a 92% acceptance
rate to a University of California campus. For more information on the
program, see the web site at
www.cerritos.edu/shp, or call SHP
Director Tim Juntilla at ext. 2828. Those students who want Honors
credit should let me know at the beginning of the semester.
Course Policies: Below are five important rules for the
class. They apply to everyone equally, whether you are an “A” student or
an “F.”
1)
There are no excused absences. If you are absent, you will not be
allowed to make up any quizzes, homework, midterms, or final exams.
2)
If you miss five classes in a semester, I reserve the right to drop
you from the course.
3)
If you are late for class, you will not be able to take the quiz.
4)
You must bring the current reading material to class. If you do
not, I will not accept that day’s quiz.
5)
If you are tardy on the day a paper is due, I will deduct 10
percent from the paper. If you miss class on the day a paper is due, but
turn the paper in later in the day, I will deduct 25 percent. If you
turn it in the day after it is due, I will deduct 50 percent. I will not
accept a paper more than one day late.
Do You
Falcon?
On iFALCON and Bible as Lit. Survey:
Successful students consistently demonstrate a common set of skills and
practices that earn them high grades and enable them to transfer to the
schools and programs of their choice, including some of the best in the
country. Identifying these skills isn’t a mystery; students who practice
the following six habits of mind regularly and with persistence are
those who are most successful:
Focus: Successful students focus on the work to be done. They are
academically self-disciplined, spending appropriate amounts of time
studying. They come to class on time and prepared. They complete all
assignments and turn them in on time. They finish their programs.
Advance: Successful students advance by always improving. They
embrace lifelong learning. They understand that subject expertise
requires a long-term commitment, and commit to ongoing development of
thinking skills and learning skills.
Link Up: Successful students link up with the academic community.
They get involved. They get to know their professors, study in groups,
surrounding themselves with focused students and mentors. They use
College resources and programs to help with their learning.
Comprehend: Successful students study for comprehension. They seek to
understand course content rather than simply complete requirements. They
ask questions to gain understanding, reflect on what they are learning
as well as if they are learning.
Organize: Successful students are organized. They plan to succeed.
They have an educational goal. They focus on their educational purposes,
maintain a specific education plan, and choose classes with an
intentional learning purpose in mind.
New Ideas: Successful students embrace new ideas. They are curious,
seeking out new perspectives and skills. They transfer concepts to new
contexts in order to solve problems. They integrate concepts and
knowledge to form a greater personal understanding. So, the question “Do
you falcon?” is really asking,
“Do you
want to be successful?”
If so,
then consider how you can practice these six habits of mind on a daily
basis. You may need to reorient your attitudes and try out some new
approaches to learning. We’ll discuss those habits and opportunities in
this class during the semester. Spend a few minutes each week on the iFALCON website to reorient yourself to those habits of mind and to discover new ideas and techniques for achieving success. |