REL 250

Note: This course code has changed from FDREL 250 to REL 250. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

Course Overview

Course Description

This course focuses on Jesus Christ's eternal ministry, divine role, and teachings throughout His premortal, mortal, and postmortal life. The course emphasizes the Savior’s central role in Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. You are invited to deepen your love for and testimony of Jesus Christ and to become a more devoted disciple. This course is taught using blocks of scripture from the standard works in context (the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price) as well as the teachings of modern prophets. There is no textbook for this course.

Course Objectives

This course is designed to help you achieve the following:

Strengthen your faith in Heavenly Father and deepen your understanding of the divine roles of Jesus Christ. You will see the influence of His everlasting gospel throughout history and work to increase your personal discipleship.
Increase your ability to study the scriptures, strengthen your gospel scholarship, and see the scriptures woven together as a unified witness of the Savior (see Luke 24:27).
You will be prepared to explain and testify of the divine roles of the Savior in Heavenly Father’s plan and to live, proclaim, and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Course Materials

Scriptures and access to ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Courtesy Expectations

As you interact with others in various assignments, please remember to be kind, considerate, and respectful of differing viewpoints. You can differ in opinions (sometimes, the best learning comes when others challenge your thinking) but still be civil and loving. Respect one another’s opinions, and avoid using racist, bigoted, homophobic, sexist, or aggressive language in class discussions, in writing assignments, or when reporting problems or concerns. Any violation of basic common courtesy—including interactions with peers, the instructor, or others monitoring the course—will negatively impact your grade.

(1:07 mins, Trueat All Times Transcript)

Grading Strategy

Assignments	Brief Description	Percent
Personal Study Reports	After studying the assigned weekly readings, you will take an online quiz. This will assess your knowledge of the topics and doctrines that you studied. This will also give you a chance to respond to questions that will help you express what you learned. These reports are due at the end of the week.	50%
Insight Sharing: Online Discussion	For this activity, you will work as a group to answer specific questions or complete activities related to the week material. You will share with your group and compose a summary of your thoughts that result from the discussions and activities.	25%
Teach a Friend Activity	Each week, you will teach a friend or family member a principle learned in your preparation that inspired you. The teaching can be done in an individual (such as one on one) or a group setting (such as family home evening).	15%
Discipleship Project	At the beginning of the semester, you will be asked to pick an area of discipleship that you would like to improve. This project will focus your attention on improving the way you follow Christ in your daily activities. Periodically throughout the semester, you will report your progress to your online instructor.	10%

To see when assignments are due, please refer to your calendar. Typically, Teach a Friend activities are due midweek, with all other activities due end-of-week.

NOTE: You should plan to spend about 6–8 hours per week in this course.

Grading Policies

This course will use the standard BYU-Idaho grading system as follows:

Progress Grades: Attempted and Earned

Grades are determined by each instructor based upon an evaluation of all assigned and completed coursework. Classroom/laboratory participation, mastery of subject matter, and promise of continuing success in sequential courses in related fields are all criteria used to evaluate progress.

"A" represents outstanding understanding, application, and integration of subject material and extensive evidence of original thinking, skillful use of concepts, and ability to analyze and solve complex problems. Demonstrates diligent application of Learning Model principles, including initiative in serving other students.
"B" represents considerable/significant understanding, application, and incorporation of the material that would prepare a student to be successful in next level courses, graduate school, or employment. The student participates in the Learning Model as applied in the course.
"C" represents sufficient understanding of subject matter. The student demonstrates minimal initiative to be prepared for class. Sequenced courses could be attempted, but mastering new materials might prove challenging. The student participates only marginally in the Learning Model.
"D" represents poor performance and initiative to learn, understand, and apply course materials. Retaking this course or remediation may be necessary to prepare for additional instruction in this subject matter.

Non-progress Grades: Attempted, but not Earned:

"F" represents failure in the course.
"W" represents a withdrawal from the class and will not be calculated into the GPA. However, if the class is dropped during the first 22 calendar days (including weekends and holidays) of a semester, or the first 15 calendar days of a block, no annotation will be made on the permanent academic record.
“UW” represents an unofficial withdrawal which is given to a student who meets the following criteria: Did not complete proper withdrawal procedures; has record of non-attendance; did not complete any work, tests, or class related assignments after attendance ceased; or the record of non-attendance did not begin after the last date to drop class without grade earned. The “UW” is calculated into the GPA as a failing grade value. (0.0).
"I" is a conditional grade (See "Incomplete Grades").
"NR" represents the grade was not reported by the instructor. A student receiving a "NR" grade should contact the instructor to request that a valid grade be submitted to the Student Records and Registration Office.
"T" represents a temporary grade that is assigned for courses that do not fall within normal academic deadlines of any given semester. (e.g., internships)
"IP" indicates that the course is in progress.

Participation Expectations

The BYU-Idaho Learning Model used in this course is based on the gospel instruction given by the Savior to "teach one another." Teaching others will help you to learn more and remember what you learn longer. Therefore, it is expected that in this course you will interact with others, teaching and learning together; participate fully in the activities and discussions; and complete your discussion board posts in a timely fashion so others can interact with you in meaningful conversations. Doing so will help you do better in the course and allow you to serve your fellow classmates.

Late Work Policy

Assignments are due on the day indicated. Each week opens early in order to allow students some flexibility in determining their schedule. Late work will be accepted only at your instructor’s discretion. If you feel your situation warrants personal consideration, inform your instructor before the assignment is due so that he/she has time to work with you. Any late work that is accepted is subject to a penalty as determined by your instructor.

Course Support

If you ever have a question, problem, or concern about the course, you can get help in resolving it in one of two ways. Your instructor will inform you of the method he/she wishes to use:

Check your instructor's announcements. Your instructor will post useful information to answer common questions that the class may have.
You can also contact your instructor through email. If your question or concern is of a personal nature, please contact your instructor through email rather than posting it to a public place such as the discussion board associated with an Announcement.
- If you contact your instructor through email, it could take up to 24 hours to receive a response (excluding Sundays and holidays). Please state your question clearly, include sufficient detail, and allow ample time when communicating with your instructor in an email.
If you have been unable to resolve your questions, problems, or concerns, you can report a concern by contacting the BYU-Idaho Support Center.

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 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 Honor Code, Dress and Grooming Standards, and Academic Honesty will be enforced in class. Although the class 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 commitments and covenants.

Course Helps

Student Resources

There are many resources available to you in the Student Resources module, such as computer tutorials and free websites that can help you improve your typing skills. This is also where you should go if you are having difficulty with I-Learn, your internet or your computer. Find the Student Resources module by scrolling down toward the bottom of the Modules page and browse the available resources.

Note-Taking

Write down notes in each week to help you remember what you learn and the revelations you may receive. This is one way to learn by study and by faith (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). Spend a few minutes each week to review your notes. This will help you remember most of your learning. You will also be able to use your notes when you take the final exam.