Vanderbilt University
    Department of  Religious Studies, College of Arts and Science

    RLST 109 Themes in New Testament
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    REQUIREMENTS:  (With % of semester grade)

    1.  Active participation/contribution to Class Discussions in Groups, as well as in plenary sessions. (5%)
    2.  Leading Friday discussion groups and/or participation in Debates: three times during the semester.
    (5% x 3 = 15 %)
    3.  Contributing to the class through E-mail feedbacks :  What is new for you?  What do you miss?  Questions?  Issues about the readings or lectures that need to be addressed by the instructors.  (Required:   at least three 200 word-long feedbacks by e-mail during the semester: One before February 15; a second one, before March 15; a third one before April 1). (5%)  
    4.   QUIZZES on assigned readings, regarding the Themes and Textual Evidence upon which interpretations are based (Step 2). NO MAKE UP; NO EXCUSE. 10 quiz units.  The best 8 (eight) grades will be counted as 20 % of the semester grade.  (Two quiz units will be discounted.)   (20 %)  
    5.  Four (4) Step # 1 Reports   Your interpretations of the teachings of 4 texts (4 x 5% = 20%)
    6.  One "Step # 2 Report," (3-4 pages) (15%)
    7.   Final Paper.  (5 pages; combining  Step # 2 and Step # 3) (20%)

    Grading of Step # 2 report and Final Paper (which involve interpretations):
        “A” range  = Excellent, exceptional = correctly addressing all the questions of the topic, and demonstrating special creativity, insightfulness in analysis;
        “B” range  = Good and solid.   = correctly addressing all the questions of the topic, but without special creativity or insightfulness;
        “C” range  = Fairly Good = most questions of the topic addressed correctly, but some questions of the topic have not been addressed correctly;
        “D” range = Poor = Many questions addressed incorrectly, or not addressed at all.

    Grading of Step 1 Reports and Quizzes:   Objective, on 100 points.

    Grading of leadership in Roundtable Discussions and Debates, based on the quality of the required outline and on pedagogical creativity in fostering helpful discussions:  “A” = 5 = Excellent, exceptional;  “B” = 4 = Good and solid.;  “C” = 3  = Fairly Good; “D” =2 = Poor; “F” = 0  
    LATE WORK will be accepted.  But 1/3 of a letter grade will be taken off for each calendar day (except for valid and verified excuses).

    HONOR CODE:  Throughout the semester, you are under the Honor Code of Vanderbilt University.  All your quizzes, reports and your paper should represent YOUR OWN work.  Identify your sources, so as to avoid plagiarism.  Sign your work as a pledge of compliance with the Honor Code (i.e., you wrote it without receiving aid from--or giving aid to--any other person, except as specified).  E-mailed reports should be signed by adding the 3 last digits of your identification number.