WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Wayland Baptist University Mission Statement
Wayland Baptist University exists to education students in an
academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian
environment for professional success and service to God and humankind.
RLGN1301
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY
Spring 2015
Instructor: Mr. Victor Berrelez
Instructor Information
 Phone: 623-451-3294 (texts are accepted)
 Email: victor.berrelez@wayland.wbu.edu
 Church Office Hours: 10am-2pm Monday-Friday
 Office Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Class Time and Location: 5:30am-9:40pm, Luke building- room 3149
Catalog Description A study of the background, theological content and
application of the Old Testament
Prerequisite: None
Required Textbooks and Resources
New International Version (NIV) Study Bible, Zondervan /
2011 / Hardcover 978-0-310-43732-1
Course Outcome Competencies:
 Demonstrate knowledge of the historical, religious, and social
context of the Old Testament world.
 Demonstrate knowledge of some of the critical methods used in
Old Testament studies.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the basic content of the Old
Testament and its main teaching (theological content).
 Demonstrate knowledge of the canonical process producing a more
complete understanding of the Old Testament.
Attendance Requirements
Students enrolled in the University should make every effort to
participate fully in the class. In order to make up incomplete
work, the student must explain the reason for the deficiency to
the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted
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work may be made up. When a student shows a lack of
participation considered by the instructor to be excessive, the
instructor will so advise the student. Any student who misses 25
percent or more of the class assignments will receive a grade of
F in the course. Additional participation policies for each
course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are
considered a part of the University’s attendance policy.
Disability Statement
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no
otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination under any education program or activity in the
university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as
the coordinator of students with a disability and should be
contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 2913765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any
request for accommodations.
Course Requirements:
A.
Reading Assignments: Reading assignments in the NIV Study
Bible will be in conjunction with each weeks lectures and other
notes. The biblical text is divided by book, chapters and verses
(i.e. John 3:16). This method is used for easy accessibility in
finding a specify area of the bible. Reading must be done weekly
in perpetration for each quiz and exams.
Quizzes, Exams and participation points
1. There will be 10 quizzes throughout the term that will be timed
at 35 minutes. Each quiz will consist of 10 questions that are worth 1
point per question. All quizzes will be over the reading only. Expect
true and false, multiple choice and matching.
2. There will be 5 exams worth 60 points each. When the first exam
is taken there will be no need to remember the contexts for other exams,
this means that the exams are not comprehensive. The exams will be
timed at 90 minutes and will be open notes and book. Expect true and
false, multiple choice, matching or more.
3. If necessary, due to instructor’s scheduling for the semester
students will receive 20 points each week for participation on
discussion boards. Discussion boards must be a minimum of 250
words for your first response then 100 words when responding to other
students. You must respond a minimum of two other students. Also,
scripture quoting will not count toward the minimum word count. So if
you quote John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.” You don’t get credit for 26 words.
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B.
Participation Policies: Participation in the class will be the result
of responding to other students in the class. It is also very
important that students take the time to long into Blackboard at
least three to four times a week. This is to check for updates and
announcements that are vital for the course. All test and quizzes
will use the Blackboard system. On the exams only the
instructor will post the final grade as the essays are carefully
read. The instructor will value each student’s point of view and
encourage sharing that view with the class. However, attacks on
other student’s perspective will not be tolerated.
V. Course Outline and Calendar
Date
February 24, 2015 (Week 1)
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
Date
March 3, 2015 (Week 2)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
NSB (NIV Study Bible) Old Testament
Chronology (xxv-xxix); Introduction to the
NIV Study Bible (xv-xviii); The Five Books
Of Moses (pp. 3); Introduction to Genesis
(pp. 4-7)
The First Five books of Moses;
Genesis, The Nature of Biblical History and
the Creation account in Genesis, The order
of Creation (Approaches to Origins of the
Universe), The fall of humanity, the fall to
Abraham and commercial and cultural life in
ancient times.
(Quiz 1)
Intro- Exodus (pp. 92-95); Intro- Leviticus
(pp. 156-158) Intro- Numbers (pp. 197-200);
Intro- Deuteronomy (pp. 256-259)
The First Five Books of Moses;
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy Introduction, The oppression
of the Hebrews, the birth of Moses to his
death
(Quiz 2)
First Exam over Readings and Class Notes The First Five Books of Moses due by Mar
14, 11:59pm (90 minutes)
Date
March 10, 2015 (Week 3) BLACKBOARD ASSIGNMENT
Quiz over Reading Assignment
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Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion
The Historical Books of the Old
Testament (pp. 307-308); Intro- Joshua (pp.
309-313); Intro- Judges (pp.350-355); IntroRuth (391-394); Intro- I Samuel (pp. 402406)
The Historical Books of the Old Testament;
Introduction, cultural conflict, Baalism,
characteristics of the period, the function of
the judges, the judges, Gideon, Samson and
the book of Ruth; The United Monarchy:
Introduction, transition period-Samuel, Saul,
David and the reign of Solomon Ai and
Achan and Continuing the Conquest
(Quiz 3)
No class Spring Break March 16-22, 2015
Date
March 24, 2015 (Week 4)
Reading Assignment
Topics for Discussion
Date
March 31, 2015 (Week 5)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
Intro- II Samuel (pp. 457-258); Intro- I
Kings and II Kings (pp. 502-508); Intro I
Chronicles (pp. 622-628)
The Historical Books of the Old Testament;
The United Monarchy: Introduction,
transition period-Samuel, Saul, David and
the reign of Solomon Ai and Achan and
Continuing the Conquest
(Quiz 4)
Intro- II Chronicles (pp. 671-672); IntroEzra and Nehemiah (pp. 719-722); IntroEsther (pp. 767-771)
The Historical Books of the Old Testament;
The Restoration of the Nation; Edict of
Liberation, Ezra, Nehemiah, the significance
of Ezra-Nehemiah,
(Quiz 5)
Second Exam over Readings and Class Notes The Historical Books of the Old
Testament due by Apr 11, 11:59pm (90 minutes)
Date
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April 7, 2014 (Week 6)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
The Books of Poetry- (pp. 785-786); IntroJob (pp. 787-791); Intro- Psalms (pp. 839856) Intro- Proverbs (pp. 1024-1030); IntroEcclesiastes (pp. 1079-1082); Intro- Song of
Songs (pp. 1096-1099)
Topics for Discussion:
The Books of Poetry:
Categories, Nature of Hebrew poetry, the
book of Psalms, Wisdom literature, the book
of Proverbs, The Song of Songs (the Song of
Solomon), the book of Ecclesiastes
(Quiz 6)
Third Exam over Readings and Class Notes The Books of Poetry due by Mar 24,
11:59pm (90 minutes)
Date
April 14, 2015 (Week 7)
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
Date
April 21, 2015 (Week 8)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion
The Prophets (Major) (pp. 1109); IntroIsaiah (pp. 1110-1114); Intro- Jeremiah (pp.
1216-12210)
The Prophets (Major);
Isaiah and the expansion of the Assyrian
empire; Captivity of the Babylonia’s; Gods
Judgment and Salvation Israel
(Quiz 7)
Intro- Lamentations (pp. 1320-1323); IntroEzekiel (pp. 1334-1338); Intro- Daniel (pp.
1414-1415)
The Prophets (Major);
The book of Daniel, Ezekiel, the book of
Lamentations and the end of the exile
(Quiz 8)
Fourth Exam over Readings and Class The Prophets (Major) due by May 2, 11:59pm
(90 minutes)
Date
April 28, 2015 (Week 9)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
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Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion
Date
May 5, 2015 (Week 10)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment
Topics for Discussion;
The Book of the Twelve or The Minor
Prophets (pp. 1439-1440); Intro- Hosea (pp.
1441-1443); Intro- Joel (pp. 1460-1461)
Intro- Amos (pp. 1469-1471); IntroObadiah (pp. 1486-1487); Intro- Jonah (pp.
1490-1493); Intro- Micah (pp. 1498-1501);
The Book of the Twelve or The Minor
Prophets;
The prophet’s major contributions and
family background
(Quiz 9)
Intro- Nahum (pp. 1511-1512); IntroHabakkuk (pp. 1518-1520); IntroZephaniah (pp. 1526-1527); Intro- Haggai
(pp. 1534-1536); Intro- Zechariah (pp. 15411544); Intro- Malachi (pp. 1561-1563)
The Book of the Twelve or The Minor
Prophets;
(Quiz 10)
Date
May12-16 (Week 11)
All quizzes must be completed by May 12 by 11:59pm (MST), fifth exam is
due by May 16 by 11:59pm (MST)
COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR
(check the Discussion Board 2-3 times per week and read
the announcements!)
Date (week of)
Week 1
Quiz # 1
Subject
The First Five books of Moses;
Genesis
Assignment
Reading and Lecture
notes
Week 2
Quiz # 2
Exam 1
Week 3
Quiz # 3
The First Five books of Moses;
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
and Deuteronomy
The Historical Books of the Old
Testament;
Introduction, cultural conflict, The United
Monarchy
Reading and Lecture
notes
Reading and Lecture notes,
Blackboard assignment.
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The Historical Books of the Old
Testament;
The United Monarchy
The Historical Books of the Old
Testament;
The Restoration of the Nation; Edict of
Liberation,
The Books of Poetry:
Categories, Nature of Hebrew poetry
Reading and Lecture notes
The Prophets (Major);
Isaiah and the expansion of the Assyrian
empire; Captivity of the Babylonia’s;
Gods Judgment and Salvation Israel
Reading and Lecture notes
Week 8
Quiz #8
Exam 4
Week 9
Quiz #9
The Prophets (Major);
The book of Daniel, Ezekiel, the book of
Lamentations and the end of the exile
The Book of the Twelve or The Minor
Prophets;
The prophet’s major contributions and
family background
Reading and Lecture notes
Week 10
Quiz #10
The Book of the Twelve or The Minor
Prophets;
The prophet’s major contributions and
family background
Reading and Lecture notes
Week 11
Exam 5
YOU MADE IT!
All quizzes are due
May 12 by 11:59pm
Exam 5 must be
completed by May 16
at 11:59pm.
Week 4
Quiz #4
Week 5
Quiz #5
Exam 2
Week 6
Quiz #6
Exam 3
Week 7
Quiz #7
Reading and Lecture notes
Reading and Lecture notes
Reading and Lecture notes
Course Evaluation (Method of Determining Grade)
 University Grading System
Symbol
Percentage
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
Below 60
Other symbols used for grading include:
CR
Credit
Satisfactory, but without
qualitative grading.
NCR No Credit
Unsatisfactory, but without
qualitative grading.
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I**
Incomplete
IP
In progress
X
No grade
W
Withdrawal
WP
Withdraw passing
WF
Withdraw failing
May be given to a student who is
passing, but has not completed a
term paper, examination, or other
required for work reasons beyond
the student’s control.
Assigned to a course indicating
that at the conclusion of a term the
course will still be in progress.
No grade has been submitted by
the instructor. The course grade
which will replace the X must be
submitted within 30 days from the
beginning of the next full term.
Course dropped or withdrawal
from the
University.
Course dropped or withdrawal
from the University after deadline
to withdraw with a W and prior
deadline to withdraw with a WP or
WF.
Course dropped or
withdrawal from the University
after deadline to withdraw with a
W and prior to deadline to
withdraw with a WP or WF.
**A grade of incomplete is changed if the deficiency is made up
by midterm of the next regular semester; otherwise, it becomes
"F". This grade is given only if circumstances beyond the
student's control prevented completion of work during the
semester enrolled and attendance requirements have been met.
Class Grading Scale:
A = 320-288
B = 287-256
C = 255-224
D = 223-192
F = 191-0
TOTAL POINTS = 320 POINTS
Academic Honesty (Plagiarism):
University students are expected to conduct themselves according
to the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct
for which a student is subject to penalty includes all forms of
cheating, such as illicit possession of examinations or examination
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materials, forgery, or plagiarism. (Plagiarism is the presentation of
the work of another as one’s own work.) It is the student’s
responsibility to be familiar with penalties associates with
plagiarism stated in the catalog on page 88.
Syllabus
The syllabus is not a contract. It can be changed or altered at any time by the
instructor. The instructor will notify students of any changes.
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