Poetic and Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

RELG 301

Syllabus

Contact Information

I am available to meet with any student regarding any matter.
However, there will be no face-2-face office hours this semester.
Students may contact me by phone, email, or through the Canvas system.
To contact me by email, use my ENMU email address : Shirley.Rollinson@enmu.edu
My Home Phone is 575-763-0101 (9am-9pm), with answering machine to leave a message if I am not there.
My office phone is 575-562-2519, with voice mail to leave a message. I will not be in my office every day, so it will be better to contact me at my home phone. Or send me an email, or send a message via Canvas.
For my bio., go to http://www.drshirley.org/sjr/bio.html
For my spiritual journey, go to http://www.drshirley.org/sjr/salvation.html

Response Time and Feedback

I try to respond to phone and email messages within a day of receiving them.
Tests give a grade as soon as they are submitted
Discussion Boards - I try to start grading Discussion Boards on the Monday following the Module. For large classes this may take me more than one day.
Study Reports - I try to start grading these on the day they are due, but this may take me several days.
On some weekends during the semester I may be traveling and may have limited access to the InterNet - at such times feedback and grading may be delayed until Monday.

Office Hours

My Office is in JWLA 127-T.
There will be no face-2-face office hours this semester.
Students may contact me by phone, Home phone 575-763-0101 (9 am to 9 pm), Office phone 575-562-2519, with answering machines to leave messages.
I will not be in my office every day, so it will be better to contact me at my home phone.
Or send me an email, Shirley.Rollinson@enmu.edu, or send a message via Canvas.

Required Materials

• The Bible : I have not assigned any particular translations of the Bible, but I recommend that you use at least 2 different translations of the Bible.
  If a student has facility in another language besides English, it is good to read the Bible in that language also.
  Students who are learning Hebrew and/or Greek should read and translate at least a few verses each day.
  You may use any translations of the Bible you wish, though please make sure that you use a "translation" (which keeps close to the meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek texts) rather than a "paraphrase" (which can be easier to read, but is less true to the original - for example "The Message")
  Go here for helps in choosing a Bible.
• Text Book - The "Zondervan Handbook to the Bible", 5th edition, edited by Pat and David Alexander, Zondervan Publishers, ISBN 978-0310537946, available at the ENMU Bookstore, or at general Bible bookstores.
• Computer with basic audio/video output equipment. For students on the ENMU campus, there are computers available in the Golden Student Success Center, the Campus Union Building, and the Computer Labs.
• Internet access (broadband recommended)
• Word-processing software capable of producing .doc .docx or .txt files
• Learning Management System
  The university has provided the learning management system called Canvas. With your ENMU student account, you can access Canvas from the myENMU Portal, or directly at ENMU's Canvas Login Page.
  Canvas works with most computers, mobile devices, and browsers.
  You can check the webpage at https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66 to see if your computer/device and browser are compatible with Canvas.
  Mobile apps for Android and Apple devices can be downloaded at no cost from Google Play and the Apple App Store, respectively.
  If you are new to using Canvas, here are a few tips:
  
  • Welcome Tour - A welcome tour will pop up and show you the main features of the system. This is a great way to get started.
  • Passport to Canvas - This self-paced student workshop will teach you everything you need to know about Canvas. Check your Dashboard or Courses menu to access the workshop.
  • Help & Support Menu - If you need help, click on the Help & Support menu. From there, you can:
    • Watch Canvas Overview Videos
    • Search Canvas Guides for step-by-step directions
    • For help with the mobile app, check out the guides for Android or Apple devices
    • Call or live chat with Canvas Support 24/7, 365 days a year
    • And more - click Help & Support in Canvas to see all the support the university has provided for you.

Course Description

This course deals with the Poetic and Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament. It comprises a study of the character, historical settings, and content of the Poetic and Prophetic Literature of the Hebrew Scriptures.

There are 15 Modules, corresponding to the weeks of the semester.
Each Module will contain a set of assignments to be completed each week.

1. Weekly assignments will include a Study Report, in the form of a doc file to be downloaded and filled in during the week, then uploaded to Canvas.
2. Weekly readings in the Bible, the textbook, class notes, and other resources will be required.
3. Participation in a weekly Discussion Board will be required. Students will be asked to post a Thread to the class, and to post replies to two of their classmates' Threads each week.
4. There is no Final Exam, but there will be two Papers on set topics, one due at Midterm, and one during Finals Week.

It will be important for students to keep up with all reading and written assignments.
Since a large amount and a wide range of material will be covered each week, regular completion of assignments is necessary to do well in the class.
This is a 3-credit-hour course, so when taken as a Web-based Course it is the equivalent of 3 one-hour lectures per week, with at least another 3 hours of individual study and class assignments per week. As a general guide, students should schedule about 6 hours per week for this course, i.e. about an hour of concentrated study a day, Monday through Saturday, with Sunday for a brief review of the past week's work. Students who work steadily for an hour-or-so each day on this course should have no difficulty in getting a good Grade. Students who make a habit of leaving the week's work for an overnighter on Sundays will probably not do very well.

Learning Outcomes - Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of the course :

1. You will be able to describe, define, and discuss the characteristics of Hebrew poetry
2. You will be able to describe and discuss the main themes of the Poetic Literature of the Old Testament
3. You will have read and reflected upon representative selections of the Poetic Literature of the Old Testament
4. You will have read selections of Hebrew poetry occurring in the Historical and Prophetical books of the Old Testament
5. You will be able to describe, define, and discuss the characteristics of Prophecy in the Old Testament
6. You will be able to describe, define, and discuss the characteristics of the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament
7. You will have read and reflected upon representative selections of the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament
8. You will be able to identify and discuss the individual prophetic authors and their messages in the Old Testament
9. You will be able to describe and discuss the development of prophecy and its function in the historical and social setting of the Old Testament
10. You will be able to identify, describe, and discuss the fulfillment of selected Old Testament prophecies at the time of the New Testament.

Course Prerequisites : None

Suggested Background Knowledge/Skills : It is recommended, but not required, that students should have completed RELG 1123, "Hebrew Bible"
Students should be comfortable with reading and writing at an upper-division College level, and should have sufficient computing, word processing and library skills to be able to complete assignments without over-straining themselves. Those who wish to improve their writing skills may wish to take advantage of the Writing Lab and Workshop which is offered free to all students at ENMU. The Writing Lab provides online services for Distance Education students.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to study the assignments from the text book and other sources given, and to complete the weekly assignments on time.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students should refer to the University catalogue for a definition of academic dishonesty and its penalties, or they should go to this Web Page and familiarize themselves with the relevant material.

Grades will be based on the term papers and class assignments (study reports and discussion boards).

Course Organization

The course is divided into 15 modules corresponding to the weeks of the semester.
Each weekly module will include a Study Report and a Discussion Board.

• Discussion Boards : In each module/week of the course, by 9am Friday, you should post a thread that addresses the topic of the Discussion. You should also respond with meaningful replies to at least 2 classmates' threads by 9am of the following Monday. Discussion Board threads and replies will count towards the Course Grade. The Discussion Board is intended to strengthen your writing skills, help you to communicate your ideas and insights effectively, to interact with your classmates, learn from one another, and encourage one another - you are not in this alone.
• Study Reports : Your progress through each module is recorded by a Study Report, which will count towards the Course Grade. The purpose of the Study Reports is to help you organize the weekly study into manageable daily sections, and to record your progress through the module.
• Key Verses : Each Study Report will ask you to write out "Key Verses" associated with your daily study sessions. The Key Verses are any verses from the daily Bible readings which particularly speak to you on that day. There are no "correct" or "incorrect" Key Verses. It will be a way for you to internalize some of the texts which you are studying, and have them in your memory for whenever there is a future need.
• Term Papers - There are no Midterm or Final Exams, but there is a Midterm Paper, due the Wednesday of Midterm week, and a Final Paper, due the Wednesday of Finals week. The papers will count towards the Course Grade. The purpose of the Papers is to give you an opportunity to reflect upon and consolidate what you have studied, to develop your skills in critical thinking, and to communicate your ideas and insights effectively.
• Late Work - For work to be eligible for an "A" Grade, it must be submitted on time. Students may submit their work early, and are advised to do so whenever possible. Study Reports may be submitted late, but may be subject to a late penalty. Discussion Board postings and Tests must be submitted by their due dates - late postings will not be eligible for a grade except in the case of students who enter the course during the Drop-Add period.
• Makeup - Because of the nature of this course, in which students do not have to attend classes at particular times on particular days, there is no provision for "make-up" work.
• Extensions - Extensions will only be granted under grave extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor. If you think that you may need an extension, you should contact the instructor ahead of time with your request, and explain the situation.

Attendance / Participation

Students are expected to study the assignments from the Bible, the text book and other supplemental sources, and to complete the weekly assignments on time.
Students may choose any translation(s) of the Bible. Help in choosing Bibles for study is available on the "Bibles Page".
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students should refer to the university catalogue for a definition of academic dishonesty and its penalties, or they should go to this Web Page and familiarize themselves with the relevant material.
Students are expected to participate regularly in the weekly Discussion Boards. Lack of participation is disrespectful towards fellow classmates and will result in a lower grade.

Course Grading

See the ENMU Catalog, page 34 for the Grading System at ENMU.

Grades will be based on : Discussion Board items + Study Reports + Term Papers
Rubrics for the grading of Discussion Boards, Study Reports, and Term Papers are given in the Rubrics Page

Timeframe for Feedback on Graded Work

Discussion Boards - I try to start grading Discussion Boards on the Monday after they were due. For large classes this may take me more than one day.
Study Reports - I try to start grading these on the Monday when they are due. This may take me several days.
On some weekends during the semester I may be traveling and may have limited access to the InterNet - at such times feedback and grading may be delayed until Monday.

Syllabus Modification

If the syllabus needs to be modified during the semester, students will be notified of the proposed modification and given opportunity to respond. Notifications and Announcements will be communicated via the Canvas announcement system

ENMU Academic Integrity Policy

Plagiarism and Cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result in at least an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
See the Student Handbook for further information.
I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and that you will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or by taking them from anyone else.
Additionally, the use of AI-generated content (for example, via ChatGPT and other AI tools) and the attempt to submit AI-generated content as your own work is considered academic dishonesty.
I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone. Plagiarism is a serious offense. When in doubt, cite your sources!
Please refer to the Catalog for information concerning plagiarism; action can include, but is not limited to failure of the assignment; failure of or a reduced grade for the course; suspension or dismissal from your program of study.

Accessibility Statement

If you have, or believe you have a disability, you may contact the Accessibility Resources and Testing Center to coordinate reasonable classroom accommodations, access to technology, or other academic assistance.
The Accessibility Resources and Testing Center serves students with a wide range of disabilities including but not limited to medical or health impairment, vision or hearing disability, physical disability, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, or mental health impairment.
All information will be treated confidentially.
Accommodations are not retroactive. They begin only after :

• Appropriate documentation has been received and accepted by the Coordinator of Disability Services
• Letters of Accommodation (LOA) have been prepared
• You have delivered your Letters of Accommodation to your instructors

Appropriate academic accommodations may then be provided for you.
You may contact the Accessibility Resources and Testing Center in room 186, Student Academic Services building, phone 575.562.2280

FERPA and Privacy

As a student, your educational records are considered confidential. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), your records are confidential and protected. Under most circumstances your records will not be released without your written and signed consent. However, some directory information may be released to third parties without your prior consent unless a written request to restrict this is on file.
You can learn more about student rights to privacy at http://www.enmu.edu/FERPA
In this course, we may be working with third party applications online (i.e. wikis, blogs and other Web 2.0 applications). The different proprietors of these sites may or may not have privacy guarantees and the FERPA policy at ENMU does not apply to these sites. It will be your responsibility to read the privacy documentation at each site. There are many other options to protecting your information at these sites. If you have filed the paperwork and are classified as protected under the ENMU FERPA qualifications, it will be acceptable for you to use an alias when using the Web 2.0 sites required for this course. If you still have concerns, please e-mail me as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Copyright

This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are either linked to or are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.

Title IX

ENMU is committed to fostering a safe, productive learning environment and we comply with all aspects related to Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and 34 C.F.R. Part 106. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include all forms of sexual harassment as defined in the university's Title IX Policy.
Incidents of harassment or assault can be reported to the Title IX Coordinator by phone at (575)562-2235 or by email at titleix.coordinator@enmu.edu.
You may report any crime including sexual assault to the ENMU Police Department by calling (575)562-2392 or 911.
If you wish to receive fully confidential support and victim's advocacy you can contact Arise Sexual Assault Services at (575)226-7263.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus.
I also have a mandatory reporting responsibility. I am required to share information regarding sexual misconduct or information about any crime that may have occurred on ENMU's campus with the Title IX Coordinator and/or the ENMU Police.
Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting Arise at 575.226.7263

Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved

Dr. Rollinson

Station 19, ENMU
Portales, NM 88130

Last Updated : December 27, 2024

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