ACTS OF APOSTLES

BNEW 213

HARDING UNIVERSITY

Spring 2011

 

Section 1: MWF         8:00-8:50         MCIN 353

Section 4: MWF         2:00-2:50         MCIN 125

 

Instructor: Dr. K. Stanglin

Office phone: 279-4620

Email: kstanglin@harding.edu

Website: www.harding.edu/kstanglin and www.facebook.com

Office hours: MCIN 209, 10:00-11:00, 1:00-2:00 (M-F)

 

I want you to do well in this course, so please let me know if you are having difficulty with the class material.

Office hours, phone, and email should suffice for class business. 

 

Course Description (from catalog):

Historical backgrounds, introduction, the founding and expansion of the early church, government, worship, work, and destiny of the churches presented in the text of Acts and related scriptures.

 

Course Objectives:

In light of the university’s mission and objectives, the student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

1)      Articulate the main theme of Acts and describe how it fits into the larger narrative of Scripture.

2)      Demonstrate how the book’s variety of content integrates into the stated theme.

3)      Understand and trace the six subordinate themes throughout Acts.

4)      Identify the chapters where major events in the book of Acts take place.

5)      Answer questions about the “Discussion points” handled in class.

6)      Identify and interpret important or difficult verses in Acts.

7)      Illustrate the importance of historical background for interpreting Acts.

8)      Teach the book of Acts to someone else.

 

Academic Setting:

I will teach this course from a Christian perspective, and my own faith commitments and interests will undoubtedly be reflected in my approach.  However, you need not share my faith commitment to do well in this course; the purpose is education, not indoctrination.  Part of education is respectfully hearing, understanding, and assessing the merits of opposing viewpoints.

 

As a part of the liberal arts curriculum at Harding University, this course is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and meets all the criteria of the Higher Learning Commission.  That is, you receive full academic credit for this course, transferable to other accredited institutions.  As such, the intentional goals of the course are primarily academic, not devotional.  This course should not be viewed as a substitute for, but as a supplement to, your personal and communal spiritual growth.

 

Required Course Textbooks:

Bible.  I prefer that you use either the NIV, ESV, NASB, or NRSV.  Study Bibles are best.

Bring your Bible to each class meeting.

 

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to attend classes regularly.  In the event of illness, family emergency, a school-sponsored activity, or an extenuating circumstance, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor as soon as possible of the reason for the absence.  With regard to excuses, I defer to the criteria set by Academic Affairs.  A doctor’s note is required for excusing personal illness.  Print a hard copy for my records.  N.B.: Excuses will not be accepted more than one week after returning to class.

 

The official policy of COBR states that the equivalent of one week of unexcused absences (3) is allowed in this class.  Each additional absence above 3 automatically reduces your final grade by 3 percentage points.  Anyone accumulating 9 unexcused absences will be dropped from the course with a “WF” (withdrawn, failing).

 

You will be considered tardy if you are not present when the roll is checked or if you leave during class.  3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence.  If you are tardy, it is your responsibility to make sure you were not counted absent.  But if you come in more than 10 minutes late, or leave before the end of class without telling me why, you will be counted absent, and will not be allowed to take the test or quiz.  Take care of all business before and after class.

 

Students with Disabilities:

It is the policy for Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law.  Therefore, any student with a documented disability condition (e.g., physical, learning, psychological, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations, must contact the instructor and the Disabilities Office at the beginning of each semester.  (If the diagnosis of the disability occurs during the academic year, the student must self-identify with the Disabilities Director as soon as possible in order to get academic accommodations in place for the remainder of the semester.)  The Disabilities Office is located in Room 102 of the Lee Academic Center, telephone, (501) 279-4019.

 

Assessment:

Harding University, since its charter in 1924, has been strongly committed to providing the best resources and environment for the teaching-learning process. The board, administration, faculty, and staff are wholeheartedly committed to full compliance with all criteria of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university values continuous, rigorous assessment at every level for its potential to improve student learning and achievement and for its centrality in fulfilling the stated mission of Harding. Thus, a comprehensive assessment program has been developed that includes both the Academic units and the Administrative and Educational Support (AES) units. Specifically, all academic units will be assessed in reference to the following Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose: The University provides programs that enable students to acquire essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions in their academic disciplines for successful careers, advanced studies, and servant leadership.

 

Academic Honesty:

Harding University places a high priority on honesty and a biblical commitment to truth.  Incidents of cheating, plagiarism, or any other activities deemed dishonest will result in penalties.  These penalties may range from receiving a zero (0%) on the assignment to failing the course or dismissal from the school.  (According to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, to “plagiarize” is to steal and use as one’s own the ideas, words, etc., of another.  Collaborating on written assignments that should be done individually would fall under this category of dishonesty.  See also the definitions and descriptions in the catalog or student handbook.)

 

Classroom Expectations and Decorum:

I expect your best effort and cooperation.  I also expect all students to behave in a Christian manner in and out of the classroom.  Appropriate behavior includes abiding by the conduct and dress codes set by the university.  Turn off all cell phones.  I do not want to see them.  Do not eat food in the classroom. Only drinks in spill-proof containers are allowed in class.  If you make a mess, it is your responsibility to clean it up or pay for it to be cleaned.

 

If it looks to me like you are sleeping, texting, or doing other work in class, I will ask you to leave and it will be counted as an unexcused absence. 

 

You may use laptops for taking notes only.  If you use a laptop, you must sit on the front row.

 

Class will be dismissed when I finish, not necessarily when the bell rings.

 

Course Requirements:

1. Every student should carefully read the entire book of Acts as well as other required readings.  The student is responsible for all the information in Acts.  Pop quizzes may be given periodically to assess reading and comprehension of Acts.  The quantity of quizzes will be inversely proportionate to the quality of class participation.  On the final exam, you will be asked to sign a statement indicating how much you actually read. 

 

Be prepared to discuss and answer questions about the material in class.  Your individual participation in class discussion (which includes reading aloud and offering relevant questions and thoughtful responses) could be a subjective element in determining the final grade.

 

2. You will be tested over the contents of the syllabus.  You must schedule this quiz and take it in the testing lab on the Monday or Tuesday of Week 2.  20 pts.

 

3. Eight bi-weekly tests will assess the student’s ability to answer questions about Acts and the lectures.  You must schedule and take them in the testing lab.  Sample study questions can be found before each test at www.harding.edu/kstanglin  The lowest grade of the eight or the first test missed will not count.  There will be no make-up tests, regardless of the reason for missing.  If the absence is excused (for both days the test is available!), then the missed test will not count against you.  420 pts.  (60 pts. each.)

 

4. There will be one map test that will cover the geography of the three missionary journeys of Paul.  This test may not be dropped.  60 pts. 

 

5. Read both of the following selections from Josephus and Ovid.  Write a 300-400 word (approx. 1 single-spaced page) analysis paper over one of these two outside readings (see schedule).  The paper should be your own work.  30 pts. 

a) Read Josephus Antiquities XIX.viii.2

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-19.htm and Acts 12:19-23.  Compare and contrast these stories.  What does this imply about the historical reliability of Acts?  Due W of Week 9.

b) Read Ovid Metamorphoses VIII.611-724 http://etext.virginia.edu/latin/ovid/trans/Metamorph8.htm#482327670 and Acts 14:8-20.  How does this story illuminate the event in Acts?  What is the connection?  More generally, what does it say about the usefulness of historical background for understanding Scripture?  Due W of Week 10.

 

6. The student should keep a notebook containing all lecture notes and handouts.  Handouts with some lecture outlines can be found at www.harding.edu/kstanglin.

 

7. a. Attend and take notes at Ben Witherington’s lecture on Monday, 2/14, at 7:00.  The topic is “New Testament Ethics.”  Turn your notes in to me at the beginning of the next class period.  (up to 10 extra points)

 

b. Extra credit Theme Paper (to replace one missed or low grade on the eight tests): The student will submit, in a word-processed hard copy, a list of passages written out (i.e., citation and text) that have to do with the six subordinate themes of the book of Acts, along with their sub-points.  In addition, the student will write a 100-word paragraph explaining the meaning of each subordinate theme and its sub-points.  The sub-points will be introduced in a separate lecture. 

 

In addition to the hard copy, you must also submit the paper electronically before the deadline.  Go to www.turnitin.com.  I will let you know the class ID, and the password will be acts.  Click “submit” and follow the instructions.  Papers not submitted through this website will not be accepted.  Up to 60 pts.  Due Friday of Week 13 (late papers will not be accepted). 

 

8. A final exam will cover the entire course.  200 pts.  Evaluation criteria: Texts, lectures. 

 

Grading Scale:      ca. 730 points total.

 

90-100% = A     80-89 = B (Good)    70-79 = C (Average)    60-69 = D      0-59 = F

 

Although it is your responsibility to keep up with your grades and absences, I will periodically post them on my website.  Check your grades with your last name and password (H number).  If the numbers are incorrect, I will gladly correct them.  Otherwise, final grades are non-negotiable.

 

Course Schedule:

Wk. 1, 1/19                 Syllabus.  Introduction to Acts. 

 

Wk. 2, 1/24                 Syllabus Quiz in testing lab (M/T).  Ezekiel 37.  Main theme of Acts.    

 

Wk. 3, 1/31                 Test 1 (M/T).  A 1-2.  Read article by Mark Moore, “Eyeing the Tongue” [on reserve in library] (F).

 

Wk. 4, 2/7                   “All.”  “Baptism in the Holy Spirit.”  Test 2 (R/F).  

 

Wk. 5, 2/14                 A 3-5. 

 

Wk. 6, 2/21                 A 6-7.  Test 3 (W/R). 

 

Wk. 7, 2/28                 A 8.

 

Wk. 8, 3/7                   A 9-10.  Test 4 (T/W).

 

                                    READING BREAK

 

Wk. 9, 3/21                 A 11-12.  Paper due (W) on Josephus Antiquities XIX.viii.2

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-19.htm 

 

Wk. 10, 3/28               A 13-15.  Paper due (W) on Ovid Metamorphoses VIII.611-724 http://etext.virginia.edu/latin/ovid/trans/Metamorph8.htm#482327670  Test 5 (M/T).

 

Wk. 11, 4/4                 A 16-17.  Test 6 (R/F).

 

Wk. 12, 4/11               A 18-20.    Map Test (F).

 

Wk. 13, 4/18               A 21-23.  Test 7 (R/F).  Theme Paper Due (F) (Optional).

 

Wk. 14, 4/25               A 24-26. 

 

Wk. 15, 5/2                 A 27-28.  Test 8 (W/R).

 

Final Exam:     Section 1: Wed., May 11, 8:00-10:00 

                        Section 4: Mon., May 9, 10:30-12:30

 

Six Themes:

You should understand these themes in Acts and keep a separate section in your notebook on each one.  As you read through Acts and listen to class discussions, note the verses, insights, and explanations that inform or develop these themes.

            A. The Continuation of God’s Purpose in History. 

            B. The Mission and the Message.

            C. Progress Despite Opposition. 

            D. The Nature of Faith and Unbelief. 

E. The Inclusion of Gentiles in the People of God. 

            F. The Life and Organization of the Church. 

 

Verses for Memorization:

1:4-5                1:8                   2:36-37                        2:38-39                        2:47                 4:12                

 

5:32                 8:4                   11:26               13:47               16:30-31          17:11

 

20:7                 20:28-29          22:16               28:20