Syllabus
COURSE STRUCTURE
Course Description
Welcome to the online version of Religion 324: Doctrine and Covenants I. This course is unique and will prove to be very exciting and rewarding if you are willing to put in the effort. The Prophet Joseph Smith has given each of us the invitation to, "Search the scriptures - search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation . . . Search the Scriptures, search the Prophets and learn what portion of them belongs to you" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 11-12). This course is designed to carefully study the Explanatory Introduction and the sections 1-76 of the Doctrine and Covenants applying the process described above by Joseph Smith.
Objectives
Department of Religion Central Aim: The purpose of religious education is to build testimonies of the restored gospel by teaching the scriptures and writings of modern day apostles and prophets. Measurable outcomes should include a better understanding of the doctrine, history, places and peoples as given in the inspired revelations. It is also desired that commitment to God will flourish as individuals deepen their knowledge, prepare themselves for the sacred ordinances of the temple and determine to serve the Church through missions and day-to-day activity in the Lord s Kingdom.
Department of Religion Measurable Outcomes
- Students will gain a better understanding of scriptural history and people surrounding the standard works of the LDS Church.
- Students will gain greater knowledge of the doctrines, principles and ordinances of peoples found in the scriptures and of those practiced in the restored Church of Jesus Christ as they study and compare the writings of both past and present day prophets.
- Students should have the ability to discuss clearly the basics of the above, to teach them in their homes and in church responsibilities, and to others interested in their religious beliefs.
- As the gospel is taught and the spirit is invited into the learning environment, faith will increase and commitment to God will flourish, better preparing students for the sacred ordinances of the temple, missionary work, community and church service.
Doctrine and Covenants Course Objectives
- Build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage living its principles.
- Learn doctrines, principles and covenants found in the revelations that can increase your ability to receive and recognize personal revelation and improve your ability to live in harmony with God and His children.
- Locate, identify and explain significant people, places and events in the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history.
- Share insights, new understandings, and connections with others in order to bless and enrich the lives of each other.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Required Materials: The LDS Standard Works and the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual [An Online version of the student manual will be available in BrightSpace].
GRADING
Grading Scale
There are two important, and very different, grading systems used in this class. The first, and most important, is how well you are doing in the process of learning by the power of the Holy Ghost, to become a better Latter-day Saint (Discipleship). The Lord-and only the Lord-can judge how well you do in this area. He will bless you for the sincere effort you make to increase your knowledge of the gospel. The other grading system is the one we will use to determine your grade for the course.
You are taking this religion class that will allow you to have experience with the scriptures, words of the living prophets, and the Spirit in a college setting, offered for credit. Your final grade will be determined by the Course Activities. Please keep in mind the real objective of this class has a much higher purpose than the grade you will receive at the end of the semester. Your grade is a reflection of the academic work you put into the class. It would be a real tragedy to get an "A" in the academic process and receive an average or less than average grade when it comes to changing your life for the better. Through your diligent efforts, you can be successful in both.
Grades will be distributed according to the following categories:
| Course Activities and Point Distribution | |
|---|---|
| 1 - Prepare | 560 points |
| 2 - Teach One Another | 315 points |
| 3 - Reflect | 120 points |
| 4 - Disciple Learning Projects | 75 Points |
| Total | 1070 points |
| Grading Criteria | |
|---|---|
| A | 93% |
| A- | 90% |
| B+ | 87% |
| B | 83% |
| B- | 80% |
| C+ | 77% |
| C | 73% |
| C- | 70% |
| D+ | 67% |
| D | 63% |
| D- | 60% |
| F | 59% or less |
Assignment Descriptions and Due Dates
Course Activities are designed around the Savior s imperative to "Learn of me, listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me" (D&C 19:23). For each activity, you will be required to complete specific assignments designed to fulfill the Savior s directive. Prepare and Teach One Another #1 activities are always due on Wednesday before 11:59 PM [Mountain Time] on the assigned week for the given lesson. Teach One Another #2 and Reflect activities are always due on Monday before 8:00 AM [Mountain Time]. Disciples Learning Projects have three due dates, each due on Monday before 8:00 AM [Mountain Time].
Here is a brief description of each assignment:
Prepare: By Wednesday of each week you will complete several assignments designed to fulfill the Savior's imperative to "learn of me." The assignments will prepare you to more effectively teach, reflect and walk (Disciple Learning Projects), which will be the focus of the second half of each week. These assignments are worth 560 points or 52.8% of your total grade. Below is a description of the various weekly activities designed to prepare:
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STUDY/ASSESSMENT: You will be required to diligently read and study the assigned sections in the Doctrine and Covenants along with the corresponding commentary found in the CES Student Manual. Each Wednesday, there will be an assessment where you will receive 2 points for reading each assigned section in the Doctrine and Covenants and 1 point for reading the corresponding commentary in the student manual. There will be a total of 235 of the 560 points given in this area for being prepared by reading the material.
By Wednesday of each week you will report your study on the assessment for that week. In addition to reporting your reading, you will take a brief assessment on your readings. There will be 13 of these assessments during the semester for a total of 130 points.
- RESEARCH & WRITING: By Wednesday of each week you will complete a 750-1000 word scripture study research assignments designed to help you focus on a particular doctrine or principle. Specific details for each research assignment will be given in weekly lessons. There will be 13 writing assignments worth 15 points each for a total of 195 of the 560 points given in this area for being prepared.
Teach One Another: The Savior has said, "And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you" (D&C 88:77-78). Each week you will be given the opportunity to share something learned from your preparation with other students enrolled in the course, as well as, with somebody of your choosing outside of class. 15 points will be given for the class sharing and 10 points for outside of class experience for a total of 25 points each week. You will need to post your initial thread on the Discussion Board for your Teach One Another #1 experience by Wednesday before 11:59 pm [Mountain Time]. The follow up posts to your fellow students well be due by Monday 8:00 AM. You will need to also report your Teach One Another #2 experience by Monday before 8:00 AM [Mountain Time]. There is 1 "Teach One Another" assignment worth 15 points and 12 worth 25 points for a total of 315 points or 29% of your total grade.
Reflect: An essential aspect of listening is reflecting. Much can be learned from Joseph s statement, "I reflected on it again and again" (JS-H 1:12). For this weekly assignment you will be asked to reflect upon and identify the most powerful idea you studied in these revelations. You will then write up a 150-250 word paragraph considering the following questions: Was there a particular "one-liner" in these revelations that captures your greatest insight? What was your biggest "a-ha" moment in studying these revelations? What do you hope to do better as a result of what you have studied? You will need to account for the reflection experience by Monday before 8:00 AM [Mountain Time] on the following week for the given lesson. There will be 12 "Reflect" assignments worth 10 points each for a total of 120 points or 11% of your total grade.
Disciple Learning Projects: Essential to our Becoming is our ability to act upon the insights gained through our learning and listening process. As part of the imperative to "walk in the meekness of my Spirit" (D&C 19:23), you will be asked to identify a doctrine or principle found in your study of the Doctrine and Covenants that you can more fully make part of your life. In relation to James invitation, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God" (James 1:5), Joseph Smith reasoned, "At length I came to the conclusion that I ... must do as James directs, that is, ask of God" (JS-H 1:13). Some of our greatest learning moments in life come when we actually apply and live the truths that we learn and believe in. Three times this semester (once every four lessons) you will take the time to diligently apply something specific from your study of the Doctrine and Covenants. What you do in applying this should push you above and beyond what you normally do as a disciple of the Lord in your day-to-day life. You will be asked to describe what doctrine or principle in the Doctrine and Covenants you found inspiring and caused you to desire to apply it in your life. Describe what specific plan of action you took to live that gospel truth and what you learned and felt as a result of doing this project. There will be 3 Disciple Learning Projects due on Monday before 8:00 AM [Mountain Time] on Week 6, Week 10, and Week 14. Disciple Learning Projects worth 25 points each for a total of 75 points or 7% of your total grade.
POLICIES
Learning Model
BYU-Idaho Learning Model Vision Statement - At BYU-Idaho, we foster faith-building and life-changing learning. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the gifts of the Holy Ghost, our commitment to the restored gospel, and our effort to build a Zion learning community motivate us to learn and teach by study and by faith.
Underlying Assumptions
- Everybody at BYU-Idaho is a learner and a teacher.
- Learners and teachers at BYU-Idaho are at different levels in their individual progress towards learning by study and also by faith.
- The principles of the Learning Model apply to all aspects of the BYU-Idaho experience.
Principles-Learners and teachers at BYU-Idaho
- Exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a principle of power.
- Understand that true teaching is done by and with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.
- Lay hold upon the word of God as found in the Holy Scriptures and in the words of the prophets in all disciplines.
- Act for themselves and accept responsibility for learning and teaching.
- Love, serve, and teach one another.
Honor Code
The Code of Honor, Dress and Grooming Standards, and Academic Honesty will be enforced in the class. Although it is online, please remember that you still need to live by the Honor Code standards. This is especially true as it relates to Academic Honesty (because of the nature of the course design, you will be doing significant amounts of self-reporting)! Each of us have made a commitment to follow these guidelines; therefore, it is incumbent on each of us to live true to our commitment and covenants.
Late Work
All course activities have solid due dates or deadlines! Failure to meet the stated due dates will result in the reduction of your grade for that particular activity! There will be NO make-up work available for missed activities, so it would be beneficial to complete work early.
Time Commitment
The online class policy is that for every credit hour, you should expect to spend 3 hours of work per week. For example, in a 3-credit course, there would be 9 hours of work each week. For this class, you should plan on spending about 6 hours per week.
The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus any time during the semester.
RESOURCES
BYU-Idaho Support Center
The BYU-Idaho Support Center (BSC) is designed to help any students taking online courses at BYU-Idaho. If you have questions about any online course or any feedback concerning online courses, instructors, or your online learning experience please contact the BSC.
BSC Contact Information
Phone: 208-496-1800
Toll Free Phone: 866-672-2984
Text Messaging: 208-557-4142
Email: onlinelearning@byui.edu
Live Chat: Click Here
Website: BYU-Idaho Support Center Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 AM - 7 PM, Mountain Time
DISCLAIMER
Please visit the University Policies page to read BYU-Idaho s policies on student honor, students with disabilities, sexual harassment, and complaints and grievances.