MF 4280-011P. G. Gallagher

SENIOR SEMINAR

Course Syllabus

Zion Bible College

MF4280-01, 2 Credits

Spring 2011

Fridays, 8:00 – 9:50 a.m., Classroom Bldg, Room 102

Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Professor

Offices: Academy Hall, Room 142; Campus Phone: (978) 478-3452

Office Hours: by appointment

E-mail:

The mission of Zion Bible College is to teach and train students for Excellent Pentecostal ministry in fulfillment of the Great Commission.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is the capstone of the bachelor’s degree program. It is designed to assess the student’s success in integrating three components of the curriculum: Bible & Theology, General Education, and Vocational/Professional. The student will demonstrate an ability to synthesize the knowledge and experience acquired in four years of study and service, resulting in the development of a practical philosophy of ministry. It culminates with the completion of a clearly articulated personal philosophy of ministry, and a resume suitable for pursuing employment following graduation. It also engages seniors regarding transition issues as they enter the ministry/work world.

OBJECTIVES: The student will

  1. Understand the key components in leadership and articulate them in written form.
  2. Demonstrate an integrated Christian worldview through careful articulation of ones’ own personal world view.
  3. Comprehend and present the mission statement of Zion Bible Institute and demonstrate the institutional goals, objectives, and program to summarize one’s theological position following the scope of systematics.
  4. Assess one’s own proficiency in meeting the objectives of the Biblical Studies Discipline, General Education Department, and Professional Studies Division.
  5. Articulate one’s own spiritual journey, which reflects commitment to Christ, a realistic assessment of where the student is, and a mature understanding of their calling.
  6. Evaluate the student’s readiness and confidence for ministry beyond graduation.
  7. Prepare a resume, philosophy of ministry, and doctrinal statement.
  8. Examine the credentialing process for major Pentecostal denominations.
  9. Examine and discuss a personal plan for life-long learning and development.
  10. Complete a comprehensive portfolio which presents the student’s best work for future ministry opportunities.

RESOURCES/TEXTBOOKS:

The professor will provide a variety of handouts and web sites the student must consider to successfully complete the course.

Textbook: The instructor will provide four (4) books to the student to read. The student will be required to summarize and write five (5) questions and answers from each chapter.

REQUIREMENTS:

Examinations: Two examinations will cover the contents of the course.

Quizzes: Approximately three quizzes will be administered throughout the semester to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skill.

Doctrinal Statement: The student will be responsible to write a personal doctrinal statement which will serve as a summary of their position. This will be designed to complement their resume for future interviews and inquiries. Assignment Due: February 18, 2011.

Spiritual Gift Inventory: A survey which measures the student’s gifts inventory, identifying their dominant and secondary gifts. Students will write a one-page reflection paper to summarize their findings. Survey will be administered March 4, 2011.

Bible Knowledge Exam: The AABC standard Bible Knowledge Exam will be administered, and each student will have a personal interview with the Dean to assess performance.

Philosophy of Ministry: The student will develop a philosophy of ministry to include in the student portfolio listed below. Assignment Due: March 11, 2011.

Personal Goals and Objectives: Assignment Due: March 18, 2011.

Mission Statement: Assignment Due: March 18, 2011.

Critical Thinking Assignment: This will assess the student’s ability to critically think.

ACT-CAAP Exam: This will assess the student’s competencies in critical thinking and writing. Test will be administered during the Spring 2011 semester.

Resume & Cover Letter: The student must prepare a personal resume which may be used for interviews and inquiries in the future.Assignment Due: April 8, 2011

Journey Application Paper: A five-page paper will give highlight and reflection to your Zion and Christian Service experience. The goal is to integrate and articulate the combination of studies, spiritual experiences, and internship experiences. Assignment Due: April 8, 2011.

Reading: Reading assignments (approximately 200 pages) will be placed in the Library at the discretion of the instructor to enhance the course subject and goals.

Reflective Work: The professors will provide questions to provoke critical thinking and to assist in the processing of the content of the course. These assignments will require the student to reflect extensively on their three years at Zion Bible College. The objective of the assignments will be to create an environment for students to exchange the value of their education in light of future ministry.

Articles: Read articles and text that are assigned in class as outlined in the Faculty Manual. The student will read no more than 500 pages.

Portfolio: The student will create for their portfolio the items listed below. Assignment Due: April 22, 2011.

  • Doctrinal Statement
  • Resume
  • Bible Content Competence
  • Spiritual Gift Inventory
  • Relational Competency Skill Inventory
  • Servant Leadership Growth Inventory
  • Complete Critical Thinking Reflection
  • Writing Samples of Best Work
  • Journey Application Page
  • Pictures or Other Materials

POLICIES:

  1. Class Attendance: Zion believes that the classroom is an important part of the learning process, and therefore attendance for all class periods is not only expected but necessary. If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain all notes and handouts distributed during your absence. Six absences are permitted throughout the semester for illness, personal matters, or emergencies. Excessive absences will be handled as outlined in the Student Handbook page 18.
  1. Late Paper: Research papers, assignments, portfolio and journey papers are due on (see dates above). Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1) hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended serious illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note and signature of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or family emergencies granted as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean of Students; 4) school-approved activities. If the student meets one of these exceptions, a “Request for Extension Form” must be filled out one week in advance of the due date. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Academic Dean.

If your paper is not turned in by 8:00 a.m. you will receive an automatic five (5) point deduction. For each day (including Saturday) that the paper is not turned in, there will be an additional five (5) points deducted (maximum deduction 25 points). If the paper is not submitted within five days after the due date an automatic zero (0) will be entered for the grade. There will be no chance of making up the paper. All papers turned in are to be in hard copy. A day is calculated as 24 hours from the due date and time

  1. Make Up Exam Policy: Per the Student Handbook students who miss an exam due to illness must fill out a Make-up Exam form (obtainable from the Admissions Office). The form is to be left with the Admissions Office personnel. A sick slip must also be submitted (it will be attached to your make up exam form). Do not wait to receive the sick slip before submitting the Make Up Exam form. The student must make arrangements with the professor to make the exam up – the exam must be taken within seven days (this includes the weekend). Thus if an exam is given on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m., the make up exam must be completed prior to the following Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. Non-illness – follow same policy; however, a 10 point reduction and a $5.00 fee will be implemented.
  1. Cell Phones: Due to federal regulations related to the CLERY Act, cell phones are permitted in class in case of a campus emergency. All phones must be on vibrate mode and need only be checked if every phone goes off at the same time. Students found on the phone during class will be dismissed.
  1. Plagiarism: A student who submits written material as his/her own work which has been copied in whole or in part from an author or another person’s paper without acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism. This includes copying material from printed books and magazines without giving credit to the original source. Material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another writer, must be identified by the use of quotation marks with specific citation of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise be attributed to the original author. Any student who submits a plagiarized paper or who permits another person to copy his/her work is subject to any of the following actions: First Offense:

a.Reduction of grade

b.Failure of assignment

c.Letter of reprimand

Successive Offenses: Academic Affairs discipline. Student will be subject to, but not necessarily limited to, the following discipline:

  1. Receive an “F” for the course.
  2. Removal from any extracurricular activities (second offense).
  3. Dismissal for one year (three or more offenses).
  1. Cheating: Cheating is a breach of integrity and will be dealt with by the professor or higher authorities if needed. Cheating consists of such infractions as using unauthorized notes or material when taking an examination;copying answers to examination questions, obtaining or helping others to obtain, unauthorized copies of examination questions, copying another person’s class work/assignments and/or homework and submitting it as one’s own; having another student do one’s paper, or any other assignment, in whole or in part and submitting the assignment as one’s own work; allowing another student to copy one’s paper or assignment; and copying another student’s paper with that student’s permission. Any student found guilty of cheating will be subject to one or more of the following actions:
  1. Receive an “F” for the assignment or course.
  2. Dorming or campusing
  3. Suspension
  4. Dismissal

Course Schedule and Requirements: The class schedule and requirements for the class may be adjusted by the professor if needed

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, N. The Steps to Freedom in Christ. Ventura: Gospel Light, 1996.

Biehl, B. TEAM Profile. Lake Mary, Florida: Masterplanning Group International, 1998.

Briggs, K.C., and Myers, I. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1993.

De Pree, Max. Leading without Power: Finding Hope in Serving Community. San Francisco: Josey-Bass, 1997.

Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

Gilbert, L. Spiritual Gift Inventory. Forest: Church Growth Institute, 1986.

Guiness, Os. The Call:Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Nashville: Word, 1998.

Kolb, D.A. Learning Style Inventory. Boston: May/McBer, 1985.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. New York: Crossroad, 1989.

Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1991.

Perkins, Dennis N. T. Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of

Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition. New York, NY: AMACOM, 2000.

Spring 2011