WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
VIRTUAL CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Wayland Baptist University Mission Statement
Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging,
learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success and
service to God and humankind.
RLGN 4322 VC01
LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL
WINTER 2015
November 9, 2015-February 13, 2016
Instructor: Randolph R. Rogers
Instructor information:
 University Phone: 806-291-1000 (email is a much more reliable contact method)
 Email: randy.rogers@wbu.edu
 Office hours:
o Monday and Thursday. 9 AM-2 PM, via Blackboard IM or Email;
o Fridays, Weeknights, and Weekends. By Appointment Only.
o All Emails will be answered within 48 hours—usually much faster within
office hours.

Office Location: Flores Building, Wayland Baptist University. 1900 W. 7th.
Plainview, TX 79072
Class Meeting Time:
 Since this is an online class, class meeting times will be observed by regular and
timely participation in online activities every week.
 There is no specific time in which the student must log in each week.
 There are specific due dates per assignments.
Catalog Description: A study of Life and times of the apostle Paul with an interpretation of his
epistles in their historical setting.
Prerequisite
 RLGN 1301, RLGN 1302
1
Resources
 Required Texts

F. F. Bruce. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1977.

N. T. Wright. Paul in Fresh Perspective. Minneapolis: Fortress
Press, 2005.

Leander Keck. Paul and His Letters. 2d Edition. Proclamation
Series. Augsburg Fortress, 1988. ISBN-13. 9780800623401
 Recommended Texts
 BIBLE. You may use the Bible of your choice for biblical readings. The
professor will be depending on the New International Version (NIV 2011)
version and the English Standard Version (ESV) for his biblical references.
Course Outcome Competencies: Students will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the outline (outward course) of Paul’s Life as revealed in the
Letters of Paul and the Book of Acts.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the main teachings of Paul in his letters in light of their
original context, and how to apply those teachings to the lives of believers and unbelievers
living in the twenty-first century.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of some of the textual and interpretive problems involved in
understanding Paul’s Life and Letters.
Attendance Requirements

Since this is an online class, class meeting times will be observed by
regular and timely participation in online activities every week.

You are required to log in to class each week and meet specific deadlines.
Skipping scheduled weekly assignments will be considered as an “absence” for
that particular week.

The Division's "no cut" policy allows no unexcused absences. If you miss
assignments, you are required to communicate with the professor and let
him know the nature of your absence in a timely manner. The longer the
delay in communication, the less credit for the excuse made.

All excused absences with be allowed to make up work. Any late penalties
are at the discretion of the professor.

All unexcused absences will be counted as -0- and no credit given.
Excuses such as “I forgot,” “My internet went down,” “was busy doing work in
other classes” do not constitute valid excused absences.

No student missing more than 25% of the class meetings (including both
excused and unexcused absences) can pass the course. IN THIS CASE, 3
WEEKS OF ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE.
Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
2
Wayland Baptist University observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic
dishonesty. Per university policy as described in the academic catalog, all cases of
academic dishonesty will be reported and second offenses will result in suspension
from the university.
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 educational program or activity in the University. The
Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as coordinator of students with a
disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806)
291-3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for
accommodations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CHECK THE CLASS HOME PAGE ON
WWW.BLACKBOARD.COM, ON THE MAIN MENU, UNDER THE TAB <<COURSE
INFORMATION>>.
Course Requirements
1. Class Intro
 Discussion Board (DB) Intro: All students are invited to introduce themselves to
the class on the DB. This will allow for the teacher and students to get to know one
another, as well as illustrate to the student how the DB is designed to work. Go
ahead and reply to a couple of other posts to get a feel for the DB (DB) Process.
 Syllabus Quiz. An introductory quiz guiding the student through the syllabus is
also due at the beginning of class.
2. Weekly DB Assignments
 Students are required to participate in a weekly discussion board session.
Instructions and requirements are posted in the online class.
3. Lecture Notes and Intro Videos
 Students will read the posted lecture each week. These notes may also include
online materials. See Lecture Notes and Weekly Assignments for details.
 The professor also will provide a video intro for each week to help set the stage for
our discussion and information.
4. Weekly Quizzes. A quiz will be taken via Blackboard each week. Each quiz will be “open
note” and/or “open book.”
5. Exams
 There are two exams for this class. They will be given on Weeks 5 and 11.
 These exams are not proctored.
3

Details are available on the class website.
6. Research Paper.

Students will write a 12-20 page research paper on a subject approved by the
instructor (a list of pre-approved topics will be provided by the instructor on the
website).

This paper MUST adhere to the style guide published by Wayland’s Division of
Religion and Philosophy. This guide can be found at the following web address:
http://www.wbu.edu/academics/schools/religion_and_philosophy/student_help/default.
htm.

Details will be provided on the class website.
Course Evaluation (Method of Determining Grade)
 University Grading System
A
90-100
B
80-89
Cr
C
70-79
NCr
D
60-69
WP
F
BELOW 60
WF
I
INCOMPLETE**
FOR CREDIT
NO CREDIT
WITHDRAWAL PASSING
WITHDRAWAL FAILING
W
WITHDRAWAL
**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. A grade of "CR" indicates that credit in semester hours was granted
but no grade or grade points were recorded.

Procedure for computations of final grade
DB Participation
Weekly Quizzes
Each Major Exam
Research Paper
20%
20%
40%
20%
20% x 2
Student Grade Protection and Appeals
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious
academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic
academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the
final grade given in the course by using the student grade appeal process described in the
Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be made for advanced placement examinations
or course bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the final course grade, which may
be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to
lower a course grade must be submitted through the Executive Vice President/Provost to the
Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty
4
Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised,
or lowered to a more proper evaluation.
Course Outline and Calendar (Tentative)
Week 1
Nov 9-22
(Week 1 assignments
are due by Nov. 22)
Lecture 1
Paul’s World
Judaism, Christianity, and the
Roman Empire in the First
Century AD
Paul as Persecutor, Convert,
and Disciple
Paul as Missionary
Student Assignments
(Due by end of Week 2)*
Syllabus Quiz
Discussion Board (DB) Introductions
Read Bruce pp. 15-159;
Read Wright pp. 3-20
Keck, 1-33
Read Acts 8-28
Discussion Board (DB) 1
Take Quiz 1; BLOG 1
SELECT PAPER TOPIC.
AND
SIGN UP FOR WRITING LAB (IF
NECESSARY)
Week 2
Nov 16-22
Lesson 2:
Paul’s Early Writings:
1 & 2 Thessalonians &
Galatians
Student Assignments**
(Due by end of Week 2)
Read Bruce pp. 160-247
Read 1 & 2 Thessalonians,
Galatians
DB 2; BLOG 2; Take Quiz 2
THANKSGIVING
Break
No Class
Week 3
Nov 30-Dec 6
Lesson 3:
1 & 2 Corinthians
Student Assignments**
Read Bruce pp. 248-279;
Read 1 & 2 Corinthians
DB 3; BLOG 3; Take Quiz 3
Week 4
Dec 7-13
Lesson 4:
Romans
Student Assignments**
Read Bruce pp. 314-339; 379-392
Read Romans
DB 4; BLOG 4; Take Quiz 4
Student Assignments**
Read Bruce pp.218-22; 340-367;
393-406
Week 5
Dec 14-20
Mid-Term Examination
Lesson 5
Philippians & Philemon
5
CHRISTMAS
Break (2 weeks)
Week 6
Jan 4-10
Lesson 6:
Ephesians & Colossians
Week 7
Jan 11-17
Lesson 7:
The Pastoral Epistles
Week 8
Jan 18-24
Lesson 8:
Paul’s Theology 1
Week 9
Jan 25-31
Lesson 9:
Paul’s Theology 2
Week 10
Feb 1-7
Lesson 9:
Paul’s Theology 3
Week 11
Feb 8-12
Final Examination
Read Philippians & Philemon
DB 5; Blog 5; Quiz 5
Take Exam
No Class
Student Assignments**
Read Bruce pp. 368-78; 407-440
Read Ephesians & Colossians
DB 6; Blog 6; Take Quiz 6
Student Assignments**
Read Bruce, 441-474
Read 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
DB 7; Blog 7; Take Quiz 7
Student Assignments**
Keck, 63-78; 110-122
Wright, Ch. 2 (21-39); Ch. 5 (83-107)
DB 8, Blog 8, Take Quiz 8
Student Assignments**
Keck, 34-48
Wright, Ch. 3 (40-58); Ch. 7 (130-53)
DB 9, Blog 9, Take Quiz 9
RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Student Assignments**
Keck, 49-62; 79-94; 95-109
Wright, Ch 4. (59-79); Ch. 6 (108129); Ch. 8 154-174
SUBMIT COURSE EVALUTION VIA
BLACKBOARD
DB 10, Blog 10, Take Quiz 10
Student Assignments**
Take Final Exam
Statement on Civility
(Approved by the Administration Cabinet on July 1, 2013)
In keeping with Wayland’s mission as a Christian higher education institution, Wayland
Baptist University strives to demonstrate civility and Christ-like character in a positive manner
where courtesy and respect are afforded to all persons at all times. Members of the University’s
student and non-student community can expect Christ’s example to be modeled consistently by
trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students in order to foster an environment for
education and work, contribute to leadership development, and glorify God. While on any
campus, attending any event, participating in any course, or engaging in any communication,
6
Wayland trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students, and guests can all have the expectation
of civility from one another. (Genesis 1:27; Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Micah 6:8; Matthew 22:36-40;
Mark 9:34-35; Luke 10:29-37; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-21, 13: 7-10, 15:7; Galatians 3:2628; Ephesians 2:8-9, 4:1-3, 22-29; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Timothy 4:12; James
2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:21
7