Christian Scriptures Course Orientation and Overview

Course Overview and Instructor Background

  • Course Title: Christian Scriptures (offered at Baylor University, a Baptist Christian institution).

  • Instructor Profile: Jennifer Real (also goes by Professor Real or Professor Jay).

    • Academic Background: Fifth-year Ph.D. candidate at Baylor University. Currently writing her dissertation, a large-scale research project, with plans to complete her doctorate by the summer.

    • Career Aspirations: Aims to become a full-time faculty member at a university or seminary, teaching biblical studies.

  • Personal and Geographic History:

    • Hometown: Buffalo, New York. An avid fan of the Buffalo Bills NFL team (keeps a Bills helmet on display; navigates the annual cycle of hope and frustration common to Bills fans).

    • Previous Residence: Grand Rapids, Michigan (lived there for over 15 years; considers it home alongside Buffalo).

    • Current Residence: Waco, Texas (has lived in Texas for 4.5 years, though still adapting to the state).

  • Family and Pets:

    • Family: Husband named Joshua and a 13-year-old daughter named Mikaela.

    • Pets: Two pets named after characters from the television series Psych:

    • Dog: Gus (named after Burton Guster).

    • Cat: Juliet (named after Juliet O'Hare).

    • Pet Behavior: Highly affectionate with one another and frequently cuddle, although Juliet has a "spicy" personality and occasionally startles Gus.

Context and Nature of Christian Scriptures

  • Misnomer Clarification: The title "Christian Scriptures" is technically a misnomer because these ancient writings are considered sacred by multiple religious and cultural groups beyond Christianity.

  • Antiquity and Origin:

    • Historical Era: Written between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago.

    • Geographic Region: Composed far from modern Texas, in regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East.

  • Language and Content:

    • Languages: Originally written in ancient non-English languages over many centuries.

    • Subject Matter: Documented the histories, legends, lives, theologies, and experiences of the people who became known as the Israelites, followed by writings reflecting early Christian traditions.

    • Preservation: Transmitted, edited, preserved, compiled, and translated across centuries into the various modern versions of the Bible available today.

Course Objectives and Interpretive Approach

  • Primary Educational Goals:

    • Navigating Complexities: Develop an appreciation for the difficulties and complexities involved in studying and reading biblical texts in an informed manner.

    • Diversity of Perspectives: Recognize the wide range of voices contained within biblical texts and the diverse ways readers interpret, understand, and apply them. (For instance, asking a classroom of students to interpret a single passage could yield 20 to 30 distinct explanations).

    • Narrative Cohesion: Identify recurring themes, plot lines, and major events across both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

    • Methodological Reading Skills: Learn and apply formal interpretive strategies to read ancient texts more carefully and critically.

    • Essential Virtues in Biblical Study:

    • Compassion and Empathy: Cultivate respect for alternative interpretations held by peers.

    • Intellectual Humility: Maintain humility by recognizing that ancient authors lived in vastly different historical, cultural, linguistic, and social settings.

Required Course Materials

  • Primary Textbook: Engaging Christian Scriptures (2nd Edition).

    • All reading assignments require the 2nd Edition specifically.

    • Format: Electronic or print copies are acceptable for independent reading (not required in class daily).

    • Initial Access: PDF scans of assigned readings for the first two weeks are posted on Canvas.

  • Required Physical Bible:

    • Format: Students must bring a physical, hard copy Bible to every class session. Electronic versions on smartphones or laptops are strictly forbidden.

    • Highly Recommended Edition: SBL Study Bible (Society of Biblical Literature). Available for semester rental at the bookstore for approximately $16.00 or for purchase used.

    • Preferred Translation: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

    • Acceptable Alternatives: If an NRSV is unavailable, formal word-for-word translations such as the New King James Version (NKJV) or English Standard Version (ESV) are acceptable. Dynamic equivalence translations like the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) are discouraged for this course's academic focus.

  • Canvas Online Platform: Contains supplementary readings, syllabus schedules, video links, and podcasts.

Grading Breakdown and Course Requirements

  • Course Grade Distribution:

    • Participation: 20%

    • Weekly Reading Quizzes: 10%

    • Unit Exams: 20%

    • Exam Essay Question Submissions: 5%

    • In-Class Worksheets & Final Exam: Remaining evaluation total.

  • Participation (20%):

    • Requirements: Attendance, active preparation, sustained focus, and active involvement in discussions during the 50-minute class periods.

  • Weekly Reading Quizzes (10%):

    • Structure: 12 quizzes conducted on Canvas over the semester (omitted during unit exam weeks).

    • Schedule: Quizzes open on Friday and close before class starts on Monday morning.

    • Format: Open-book and open-notes. Relying on search engines or AI tools like ChatGPT is discouraged as it negatively impacts long-term exam performance.

    • Drop Policy: The lowest 2 quiz grades are automatically dropped.

  • In-Class Worksheets:

    • Structure: Distributed every class period except exam days and review days. Worksheets include guided lecture notes (fill-in-the-blank), activity instructions, and reflection prompts.

    • Point Value: Each worksheet is worth 5 points.

    • Drop Policy: The lowest 4 worksheet grades are automatically dropped.

  • Unit Exams (20%):

    • Schedule: 3 unit exams given roughly once per month from September through November.

    • Format: Includes objective questions and a short essay component.

  • Exam Essay Question Submissions (5%):

    • Requirement: Students must submit a proposed exam essay question on Canvas 24 hours prior to each exam review day.

    • Grading: Evaluated on a strict complete/incomplete basis.

    • Collaborative Selection: During review sessions, the class reviews submitted questions and selects the final essay prompt together.

  • Final Exam:

    • Format: Comprehensive final examination covering all material from the entire semester, including a pre-announced essay prompt.

Class Policies and Conduct Guidelines

  • Attendance and Fail Policy:

    • Mandatory Threshold: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of scheduled classes (includes both unexcused and official university-excused absences for athletics or music).

    • Automatic Failure: Accumulating more than 11 total absences results in an automatic failing grade ("F") for the course.

  • Strict No-Technology Policy:

    • Prohibited Items: Laptops, iPads, tablets, smart glasses (Meta glasses), cell phones, and headphones are forbidden in the classroom.

    • Note-Taking: All in-class work is completed using printed paper worksheets.

    • Digital Slides: PowerPoint presentations are posted on Canvas post-lecture for students who wish to curate digital study guides.

    • Enforcement: Warnings will be issued, followed by deductions from participation grades and zero scores on worksheets for non-compliance.

    • Accommodations: Students with registered university disability accommodations must speak directly with the instructor.

  • Late Work Policy:

    • Policy: No late assignments or makeup worksheets/quizzes are accepted, as dropped grade allowances (2 quizzes, 4 worksheets) cover missed work.

    • Excused Absences: Documented medical emergencies or official university athletic travel require advance communication to arrange accommodations.

  • Classroom Decorum: Respectful, gracious, and humble dialogue is required during all discussions involving sensitive religious and theological topics.

Upcoming Schedule and Immediate Assignments

  • Wednesday Session:

    • Reading Due: Engaging Christian Scriptures, Preface and pages 1–9 (scans available on Canvas).

    • Video Due: "What is the Bible?" (approx. 6 minutes long, link available on Canvas).

    • Agenda: Discussion on "What is the Bible?" and completion of Worksheet 1.

  • Friday Session:

    • Meeting Location: Moody Library, 3rd Floor.

    • Focus: Interactive analysis of Baylor’s manuscript collection and facsimile copies.

    • Reading Due: Engaging Christian Scriptures, pages 9–17 (Canvas PDF scan) and a 1-page Bible Odyssey article.

Questions & Discussion

  • Student Question: Are exam dates already established?

    • Answer: Yes, all unit exam dates and final exam details are listed in the course schedule within the syllabus.

  • Student Question: What is the exact late policy if an assignment is missed?

    • Answer: Unsubmitted work receives a grade of zero. Because the lowest 2 quiz grades and lowest 4 worksheet grades are dropped, late work is not accepted. Only students with advance documentation for excused university absences (e.g., athletics, medical notes) may discuss special accommodations.