Course Requirements

Attendance and participation.  This class is organized as a seminar, so attendance and participation are crucial. 

You will need to provide documentation for excused absences.  To paraphrase the Undergraduate Catalog, you may be excused from class without penalty:

1) for University sanctioned activities,
2) for severe illness as evidenced by a written doctor’s excuse, and
3) for a death in your immediate family.

You are allowed two unexcused absences without penalty.  Each additional unexcused absence will result in a 2 pt. deduction from your grade.

The reading assignments are the life blood of the course since they stimulate discussion. The two books chosen for the course are by Wayne Meeks, a giant in the field of early Christian ethics, and by his former student, Dale Martin, one of the most provocative thinkers in biblical and religious studies today.  We will also read a few interesting articles by other authors.  To be prepared for class you must read the assignment for the day carefully and make notes.  Some of your notes should be made with an eye toward what you can contribute to the discussion.  There are no tests in this class, but there is a substantial discussion participation grade.  Your ability to earn a high mark for discussion participation depends heavily on your reading habits and thoughtful note taking.

You will lead discussion two times during the semester and write two presentation papers, four pages each.  The papers will be a summary and critique of the article or chapter for which your are leading discussion. 

For any six of the discussions you are not leading, you will turn in a two page outline of the reading for the day.  Being able to identify the major points and sub-points of a well-written essay is a valuable skill.  It can improve your reading speed and comprehension, as well as your own writing.  Click here for an excellent discussion of how to do a proper formal outline.

Finally, and most importantly, you will write a 10-15 page research paper.  M.A. students will write a 15-20 page paper.  Each student will make a formal fifteen minute presentation of his or her research. Detailed instructions and due dates for a research plan and a rough draft will be provided.  You will make a 15 minute presentation of your research to the class.  Specific instructions will be provided later. 

Your Course Grade is based on a standard 10 pt scale, so 90-100% (i.e. 180-200 pts.) is an A, 80-89% (i.e. 160-179 pts.) is a B, etc. As someone has said, "Earnestly desire the higher gifts."

My office is Strong Hall 266. Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10:00 - 10:50 AM and and Monday/Friday at 2:00 - 2:50 PM. Appointments are also possible. My email address is available on the campus web and on my Blackboard site. I encourage you to email me with questions, comments, etc., if you cannot come by during office hours. Put your name and section on the subject line (e.g., SquarePants, SpongeBob  REL 520).

Required:

Martin, Sex and the Single Savior. 

Meeks, The Origins of Christian Morality: The First Two Centuries.

Highly Recommended:

The HarperCollins Study Bible or The New Oxford Annotated.  

1) Academic honesty is expected of all Missouri State students (see Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures).  In my course, cheating on any assignment besides the final exam will result in an F for that assignment and usually cannot be made up. Cheating on the final exam will result in an XF. 2) Nondiscrimination is practiced at Missouri State and Missouri State is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer (see EOAA Summary Statement). 3) Disability Accommodation is available at Missouri State (DSS). Inform me during the first week of class if you have a documented learning disability.  4) As you've probably heard before, converting you to any particular confessional or non-confessional position is not a goal of a religious studies course at a state university. In a 1963 decision, the supreme court encouraged the study of religion in an academic environment. This is consistent with a goal common to most universities of studying all significant aspects of human experience in a sympathetic and responsible, yet thoughtful and critical, manner. Religion is a very significant aspect of human experience. 5) Some minor aspects of this syllabus are subject to change with notice.