ATh 115 Success For Life and Ministry
Beulah Heights University
BHU Mission
Beulah Heights University is committed to developing relevant Christian Leaders for ministry and
marketplace by providing theological and practical training from a Christian worldview.
Prerequisites:
Department: General Studies
Mode of Delivery: Classroom
Semester: Fall 2013
Day / Time: Monday / 4:20 PM – 6:50 PM
YOUR PROFESSOR FOR THIS COURSE:
Dr. Chris Bowen
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office Telephone: 404-361-0812
Office Fax: 404-361-0422
Cell: 678-409-0010
Email: pastorchrislft@aol.com
The instructor encourages you to feel free to discuss any matters of concerns via email. By permission of the
instructor, your assignment may be emailed to: pastorchrislft@aol.com. The subject line of all emailed
assignments must contain student name, course name, and description of assignment to meet security
clearance.
Course Description:
This course is required for all students and is recommended to be taken the first semester. The
emphasis of this course is strategies for life-long success, which includes spiritual formation,
ministerial development, career guidance, and life-long learning. It focuses equally on the “being”
aspect of the person as well as the “doing.” It carries out the mission of BHU to help students grow
in Christ and in life, while focusing specifically on life management skills from a biblical perspective.
The student will develop the necessary skills for maximizing academic performance as well as an
appreciation of various life management principles and concepts to help establish healthy patterns
for successful living.
Learning Outcomes and / Assessments
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
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Articulate techniques and strategies for success.
Acquisition
The students are required to learn 5 strategies for success and develop a plan for
practicing those strategies in life.
Assessment strategy:
1
Students will be tested to determine their knowledge and understanding of each
strategy.
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Demonstrate assertive (positive, healthy) behaviour.
Acquisition:
Students are taught the difference between aggressive behavior and assertive
behavior.
Assessment strategy:
Students are required to practice assertive behavior during class and are
encouraged to practice it as a lifestyle.
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Identify their own strengths and weaknesses.
Acquisition:
Students are given opportunities to present before the class.
Assessment:
Students are critiqued by students and professor and strengths and weaknesses
are identified in a loving and constructive manner.
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Understand their own learning style and personality profile
Acquisition:
Students learn the elements of the various learning styles by watching a
video, working various activities, and textbook reading.
Assessment:
Students are required to write an essay focusing on how they determined
their learning style.
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Improve reading, writing, and study and note-taking skills.
Acquisition:
Students will be given projects, assignments, and opportunities to present in
class.
Assessment:
Tests, instructor/student critiques, weekly reading/writing exercises, chapter
activities.
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Demonstrate limited knowledge or Turabian, MLA, and APA term paper formats.
Acquisition:
Students are required to work in groups to develop PowerPoint
presentations on APA and Turabian formats.
2
Assessment:
3 essays are required in MLA format. An 8-page research paper is required in
Turabian format.
Required Textbook / Material:
Fralick, Marsha, (2007), College and Career Success, Kendall Hunt Publishing.
ADA Statement (Students with Disabilities):
Students with documented disabilities who may need academic accommodation(s) should contact the
Americans with Disabilities Act office, which is located at the Office for Student Life and Development for
assistance.
Attendance Policy:
From the BHU Catalog
To be eligible to receive credit for any course in which the student is enrolled, he/she must attend at least
eighty percent (80%) of the total number of class meetings. Absences caused by prolonged illness may be
exempt from this rule by a written request to the Professor and approved by the Department Chair.
***4 absences will result in grade of failure. Exceptions on a case by case basis. All faculty
members will communicate the attendance policy to the students through the course syllabus.
Late Work / Make-up Policy:
It is the desire of the professor to receive all assignments by the due date as outlined on the schedule.
However, if the student is not able to attend class on the date an assignment is due, the student must
email, fax, or drop assignment off prior to class time. In the event an exam is missed, you will have until the
day before the next class session to take a make up exam. All late work is subject to grade reduction. It is
imperative that students prioritize their life in order to keep up with weekly assignments.
 Two points per day will be deducted from all late assignments.
 Assignments more than one week late will not be accepted without prior approval.
Grading Criteria / How final grade is determined
1. Class Attendance and Participation – 10%
2. Homework (Book & Written Assignments) – 50%
3. Mid-Term Exam – 15%
4. Final - Oral Presentation – 25%
* Incompletes are issued only in the case of an authentic emergency – please read the syllabus and
course schedule carefully to determine if you will be able to complete all the course requirements during
the semester. Incompletes will be the exception to the rule, not the norm.
Grade Dispute:
Students disputing a grade must bring it to instructor’s attention within one week after grade is received or
30 days after receiving final grade report. After the expiration of these timeframes, the grade will not be
reconsidered.
 Procedure: No cell phone usage in the classroom
 Laptop usage by approval only
Submission of Assignments:
3
All assignments will be turned in at the beginning of class each week. You may also e-mail assignments
before class to the professors e-mail address.
Academic Honesty Statement:
As members of an academic community that places a high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge,
Beulah Heights University students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and
present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs. Students are expected to complete this course
with integrity. The students work must be a reflection of his/her own scholarship. Where secondary sources
are required, the student is expected to use the proper citation of the material in accordance with the
specified style writing guide of this course. If the student fails to comply the instructor will have no option but
to consider the student is cheating and/or plagiarizing. This will result in a failing grade and the possibility of
further disciplinary action from the university. Plagiarism is defined as the use of the intellectual property of
another without proper citation, giving the impression that it is the student’s work.
Library Services Statement:
University Library Services provides instruction, information resources and services needed by
students pursuing their education and seeking an understanding of themselves, their world, and
their Creator. The Barth Memorial Library faculty and support staff offers direct personal assistance
to all students, whether on the University Campus, at Extension Centers or the Center for Online
Learning. Library acquisitions are carefully selected to support the curriculum and to provide
information resources in a variety of formats.
There is an online library tutorial for students to learn about searching the library catalog,
researching a paper topic, or using Galileo. Students who are returning to school after an extended
period find this particularly helpful. There is also information on finding and evaluating websites
and identifying and citing resources for your academic work. Circulating materials (books, reprints
from print journals) are checked out for 14 days. You can also request direct assistance from a
librarian by calling the University Campus. The library staff is dedicated to supporting all faculty and
students, whether on campus or online.
Beulah Heights University Core Values:
Biblical Inerrancy
We seek to bring every aspect of personal and corporate life under the functional authority of the
inerrant Word of God by obeying its commands, applying its principles, and refraining from
dogmatism where the Bible is silent. We are prepared to stand on Biblical inerrancy against the
opposing tide of compromising norms and peer pressure.
Integrity
We seek to live, teach and promote a life of Godly choices in the face of temptation, and consistent
growth toward Christ-like attitudes and behavior with the context of responsible church
membership and involvement. We affirm the necessity of yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ as
the unconditional Lord of Life, with trust and obedience as essential prerequisites for the
enablement of the Holy Spirit to live a Christ-like life.
Global Missions
4
We are committed to implementing Christ's mandate to fulfill the great commission by stimulating
and training Christians for evangelistic church planting, and support ministries through global
evangelization.
Dedicated Servanthood
We are dedicated to train Christian leaders who practice a pattern of life which reflects the
conviction that both individual and corporate prayer is essential in pursuit of God's purpose for holy
living and fruitful ministry. We seek to cultivate an understanding of and commitment to worship
and giving as a vital and appropriate response of the believer to God, as evidenced by regular and
consistent practice in private and corporate life. We seek to be a community marked by joyful
reliance upon God for material provision, victory over sin, growth in Christ-likeness and fruitful
servanthood.
Diversity
We are committed to embracing and empowering multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Christian
communities without regard to socio-economic status for purposes of fellowship, encouragement,
edification and ministry.
GRADING PHILOSOPHY
The following is the grading scale which will be used to assign a grade for this course.
Grade
Standard
Scale
Quality Points
A+
Excellent
4.0 grade points
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
Average
Average
Average
Passing
Passing
Passing
Failure
P
W
WP
WF
Passing
Withdrawal
Withdraw passing
Withdraw failing
98100
94-97
90-93
88-89
84-87
80-83
78-79
74-77
70-73
68-69
64-67
60-63
60 or
below
0
0
0
0
3.7 grade points
3.5 grade points
3.3
3.1
2.9
2.7
2.5
2.3
2.1
1.9
1.7
0 grade points
0 not counted
0 not counted
Count as hours attempted
Count against GPA and count as hours attempted.
Financial Aid Information
5
Students who receive financial aid and withdraw from the University during the semester may owe
large amounts of money to the U.S. Department of Education and Beulah Heights University. These
debts will need to be satisfied before students will be allowed to continue their education. Before
making a decision to withdraw, students are encouraged to go the Financial Aid office to determine
the financial consequences of withdrawing from school.
Weekly Schedule
Week
W1
W2
W3
Date
January 9
January 16
January 23
CLASS OVERVIEW
ASSIGNMENTS DUE:
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Course Overview
Syllabus review
Study course syllabus
 Course Requirements
 Academic Advising
 Grade Appeal
 Other
 Foundations Matthew 7:24-27
 Discuss the consequences of building
on a weak foundation
 Discuss why this course is important
to the success of student’s college
life, personal life, and ministry
 Discuss Chapter 1, 2
 Self-assessment
 Case Study
 MBTI
 Education
 Career Planning
Complete activities (p 48,)
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Before class reading: General College
Catalog
Study Syllabus
Complete Self-Assessment (pp 23-29)
Read Case Study (p 31-32)
Before class read Chapter 1:
Understanding Motivation
Writing Assignment 1:
Using the 5 paragraph essay format – APA
writing style, write an essay discussing
what influenced you to choose BHU.
Include the degree you are pursuing & an
explanation of how you intend to use
your degree in your professional life.
Before class read Chapter 2: Exploring
Personality/Major
Discuss Chapter 2
Personality
Major
Group Assignment: Using the 5 paragraph
essay format write an essay discussing the
three styles of writing (Turabian, APA,
MLA) giving examples of which classes
would utilize these styles – Each group
will be designated one style
W4
January 30

Discuss Chapter 5
 Resume’
 Business Letter Writing
 Essay (How To Develop an Essay)
 Assignment: Rewrite Essay
 Career Planning
 Work Skills
 Work Ethics
6
Before class read Chapter 5: Planning
Your Career and Education
Presentation of Writing Styles - A group
project in class – Each group will give a
short presentation of 1 writing style
W5
February 6
W6
February 13
W7
February 21
W8
W9
February 27
March 6
W10
March 13
Think of Bible verses that relates to work
Complete activities (p 310-13, p 315)
 Discuss Ch 3 (Learning Styles)
 How to Determine Learning Style
(p85)
 How learning styles affect study
habits
 Multiple Intelligences
 Learning Style Quiz
Complete Learning Style Quiz (pp. 103-104)
 Presentation assignment and
schedule
 Lecture/Presentation: How to
Present Effectively
 Discuss Chapter 6
 Procrastination
 Time Management
 Setting Goals
 Setting Priorities
 Budgeting
 Saving/Investing
Think of Bible verses that relates to saving,
investing, and being a good steward
 Discuss Chapter 4
 What are values
 How to assess personal values
Before class read Chapter 3
Complete activities p.203-219
Writing Assignment 2: Write a Resume’
(Resumes will be shared in class –
students will tell why they would or
would not hire someone based on their
resume they have received)
Before class read Chapter 6
Complete activities pp. 127-134
Writing Assignment 3:
Develop your personal value statement
and using the 5 paragraph essay format,
write an essay in which you describe how
your personal value statement has guided
you in making a personal decision in your
life. Also, discuss how your personal
values have ensured that you did not
make a negative decision in your life.
Study for Mid-Term Exam
W11
March 20
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Mid-Term Exam – chapters 1-7
Discuss Chapter 7
The Forgetting Curve
How to remember
Mnemonics and Other Memory aids
Improving Reading Skills
SQ4R method
Keys to Success (p176)
Practice with Mnemonics
Discuss Chapter 8
Tips for Taking Notes
Mind-mapping
Writing
Brainstorming
Free-writing
Pre-writing
Explanatory writing
Review one-page essay
Re-write essay if necessary
Discuss Chapter 10
7
Before class read chapter 7
Develop 5 Acronyms for memory aids, to
be used in groups in class.
Before class read Chapter 8
Complete activity p. 289
Writing Assignment 5:
Using the 5 paragraph essay format write
a reflection of chapter 8.
Before class read Chapter 10
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W12
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W13
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W14
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W15
W16
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MBTI and Relationship
Being a Good Listener
Barriers to Effective Communication
Negative Self-Talk
Dealing with Conflict
Roommates (How to be a good
roommate)
Discuss Chapter 11
What is Critical Thinking?
What is Creative Thinking?
How Can Thinking Critical Enhance My
Life?
What Are Some Consequences of Making
Unwise Decisions
Discuss Chapter 12
The Brain and Proper Eating Habits
The Brain and Proper Rest
How Proper Rest and Eating Habits Help
Relationships
How Proper Rest and Eating Habits Help
Job Performance
How Maintaining Good Health Enhances
the Quality of Life
Discuss Chapter 13
Diversity : How to Live, Work, and Play
with People of Other Cultural
Backgrounds
How to Accept People as They are
Tying it all together: The Marriage of Life
and Ministry
THANKSGIVING BREAK
PRESENTATIONS
Beulah Heights University
892 Berne Street SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
404-627-2681
8
Complete activities pp.355-359
Before class read Chapter 11: Thinking
Critically and Creatively
Submit a critical thinking article – be
prepared to present your findings
Before class read Chapter 12: Maintaining
a Healthy Lifestyle
Complete Activities p 417-426
Before class read Chapter 13: Diversity
Writing Assignment 7:
Write a 1 page reflection on the main
thought you took away from chapter 13
ENJOY YOUR BREAK
PowerPoint Presentation: 7-9 Slides (7-9
Minutes)