Syllabus: REL 212 New Testament II
Note: This course code has changed from FDREL 212 to REL 212. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Outcomes
- Develop a greater faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ; deepen personal conversion to Him.
- Increase abilities to learn and teach by the Spirit.
- Maintain a habit of daily scripture study.
- Identify, understand, and apply principles from the scriptures and the words of the prophets.
- Explain, share, and testify of true doctrines and principles.
- Master (meaning memorize, explain, and apply) key scriptural passages.
Description
Some students mistakenly assume that online courses are easier because work can be done at the students' convenience. This assumption is false. REL 212 requires the same commitment from students as a face-to-face course, even though some things may be a little harder to accomplish online. And students who try to cram a whole week's worth of work into one or two concentrated blocks of time end up being frustrated and feeling overwhelmed with the workload. For religion courses in particular, attempting to complete all assignments at once will most likely lessen your ability to learn and be taught by the Spirit, thus minimizing the experience you could have.
Students who have done well in this class say that spacing assignments throughout the week or dedicating some time daily to the course made a huge difference in their learning and satisfaction. We suggest committing to organize your time this semester and spreading out your assignments so you are completing something every few days and are not pushing up against deadlines. This will make a difference in what you experience.
This course is a study of the early Apostles and their letters and epistles from the book of Acts through the book of Revelation as they labored to build the Lord's church after His death and resurrection. As with all BYU-Idaho online and campus courses, each credit equates to approximately three or four hours of work per week. Therefore, you need to be able to dedicate six to eight hours of work each week to completing this course's assignments. Additionally, this course is designed using the BYU-Idaho Learning Model. Though online, this is NOT an independent study course. You will be expected to interact with classmates weekly in order to teach one another about what you are learning. Apart from the introductory and conclusion lesson, the course follows a steady routine and weekly lesson structure, comprising of four main activity areas as follows:
- Directed Study - This folder contains weekly scripture passages to read, study, and share. In addition, you will submit three relevant gospel principles found within the passages. See the calendar for due dates.
- Study Skills and Putting It All Together - These assignments are designed to help you study the scriptures in a more in-depth way. You will have a choice of topics from which to study as well as a choice of ways to teach what you study. When you have finished, you will be asked to share your experience with others in the class.
- Teaching Principles - Each week you will meet with a small group on a discussion board and share individual insights about a scripture principle.
- Reflection and Declaration - Here you will be able to reflect on how you are growing each week in a private journal that only you and the instructor will be able to see. This is an opportunity to have personal interaction with the instructor and is an environment for receiving guidance and council. Additionally, you will complete a short, weekly declaration documenting your participation in various course activities.
Learning Model Architecture
As with all of your other courses at BYU-Idaho, you will have the opportunity to prepare spiritually and intellectually throughout this course. You are encouraged to continue your personal prayers and scripture study as you seek to understand the ideas and doctrinal concepts discussed. Additionally, you will have several opportunities to teach others both inside and outside of class and share those learning/teaching moments with others. Be sure to check the Questions and Conversations Discussion Board each week to post questions about the course or about the Gospel—what ever you'd like— and answer others' questions. You will also be given opportunities to reflect on what you are learning and to report on your weekly activities. Please remember that you will need to be able to devote three to four hours of time for every course credit, or about six hours weekly.
Weekly activities include the following:
Due by: Wednesday 9:00 PM Mountain Time
- Directed Study: Readings in the New Testament and institute manual.
- Directed Study: Submitting three principles found within the reading passages and discussing them with your classmates.
- Teaching Principles: Submitting an initial post to the discussion board.
Due by: Monday 8:00 AM Mountain Time
- Teaching Principles: Reporting on your learning/teaching experience (replies).
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Sharing your spiritual growth with your instructor in a personal journal.
- Weekly Declaration: Declaring your level of participation each week.
- Putting It All Together: Create a teaching tool of your choice from the listed choices (even weeks).
- Study Skills: Choose, apply, and report on a study skill from the options and examples (odd weeks).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites
None
Required Materials
LDS edition of the scriptures and the institute manual, New Testament Student Manual. (You can also find links to the scriptures and the manual in the Resources module under the Course Resourses submodule.)
GRADING POLICIES
| Activity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Introduction Lesson Activities | 8% |
| Directed Study | 5% |
| Teaching Principles | 10% |
| Weekly Reflection Journals | 20% |
| Weekly Declaration on Participation | 15% |
| Study Skills and Putting it All Together | 20% |
| Becoming Project | 22% |
| Total | 100% |
Grade Distribution For This Course Is As Follows:
| A: 94–100% | B: 84–86% | C: 74–76% | D: 64–66% |
| A-: 90–93% | B-: 80–83% | C-: 70–73% | D-: 60–63% |
| B+: 87–89% | C+: 77–79% | D+: 67–69% | F: 0–59% |
CLASS POLICIES
Late Policy
Work that is late hampers your ability to fully participate in the course and will be accepted only at the instructor's discretion. Any late work that is accepted will be penalized 10% each day it is late unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. Points for small group work cannot be made up once the group has met because the purpose of those assignments is to meet together. Do not expect an instructor to bend the course due dates to accommodate your personal scheduling conflicts, including weddings and vacations. However, if you know you will be unable to meet a due date for any particular assignment, an instructor may be able to work with you if you make prior arrangements to submit your work.
Course Questions
This course has a discussion board—in the Discussions tab at the top left of the content page—where you are encouraged to post general questions, problems, concerns, etc. Using this board will inform other class members, the instructor, and Online Course Improvement of the issues you find and allow the proper people to correct them for everyone. Please check this board throughout the semester. If you are experiencing the same problem, you can post as well so others know the seriousness of the problem. Or if you know the answer to a problem, you are encouraged to post solutions. Helping your classmates fix posted problems is another way to teach one another. Additionally, Online Course Improvement and/or your instructor are monitoring this board and will post fixes and solutions here. You should only email your instructor directly if the problem is of a personal nature. Otherwise, posting to this board is the fastest and most efficient way to report problems you encounter and get them resolved.
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.