Olivia Cooper Bible as Literature Jemison High College Academy 2016 - 2017

Welcome to my class! I hope to have a welcoming and open classroom environment where students feel safe and free to learn. Please know that parents and students can contact me with any concerns about the class, material, environment, etc. I hope to work as a team to see each student succeed.

Course Objectives:

  • To teach students about selected books and passages of the bible.
  • To familiarize students with themes, plot, characters, and narratives in the bible.
  • To teach students close-reading through biblical text.
  • To familiarize students with the social, political, and cultural aspects of life reflected in biblical writings.
  • To appreciate diverse interpretations of the bible.
  • To practice critical thinking skills.
  • To engage students to join a public conversation with regards to the bible as a text.
  • To understand the close relation between literature and the bible, to appreciate the bible’s influence on literature, and vice versa.

Course description: The Bible as Literature class will examine the Bible from a literary and cultural perspective. We will consider the Bible itself as a literary text, reading it closely, and the issues this perspective raises. These include the aesthetic forms of the Bible, and its impact on the literary, historical, and religious traditions of diverse peoples for several millennia. Specifically, we will consider the impact of a translation like the King James Bible on the development and evolution of the English language.

In terms of the intellectual and disciplinary framework of the class, we will consider the Bible using techniques associated with literary studies. That is, we will be focused on the bible as a collection of texts made up of words that convey various images, sounds, and ideas. Will consider how these texts create meaning, where they came from, and how they impacted various peoples throughout history.

This class does not endorse a particular religion or faith; rather, we will consider the Bible as an historical document produced over time and received variously over the past several thousand years. In other words, this is not a theology or religious studies class; this is a literature class, so our aim will be to consider the Bible as a work of literature only. If you feel your religious views prevent you from doing so, you may want to consider whether this class is for you.

Instructional Methods: Discussion and Reflection. This class will be heavily discussion based. The readings in this course should lead you to listen actively in the spirit of inquiry and broadly to public conversations on consequential topics and questions regarding the bible. You will do a large amount of writing as reflection. I will teach you how to write and reflect academically.

Grades:Remember that grades are earned, never given.

60%Summative assessments which includes performance based assessments, quizzes, projects, and writing assessments.

30%In-class assignments that directly reflect course standards and materials.

10%Homework assignments that reinforce course standards and materials.

Absences and makeup work: Class attendance is the single most important factor in student success. The learning missed on any given day cannot be “made up” because the class experience cannot be repeated.Students have no more than3 DAYS after returning from an excused absence to makeup work. You are responsible for missed material. I will not take class time for this purpose, so please meet with me before or after class.

Unexcused absences/tardies: Students are expected to be here everyday. Excessive tardies and absences maylead to denial of course credit and an office referral. If you are more than ten minutes late, this will be considered skipping and an office referral will follow.

Materials: These are to be brought with you to class every day.

  1. Fully charged laptop.Every. Single. Day.
  2. Paper (preferably in a notebook).
  3. Pen or pencil (preferably a pen).
  4. Any assigned books, texts, and/or work for that day.

Expectations: Each student is expected to act and operate in a responsible and mature manner. As teacher, I reserve the right to adjust consequences for major/minor offenses as I deem fit. Put simply: Work Hard. Be Nice.

  1. Keep your head up.
  2. Use appropriate and positive language.
  3. SLANT(Sit up, Listen, Ask questions, Note take, Track the speaker)
  4. Listen to others when speaking, and speak when it is your turn.
  5. Respect others, all staff, and property.
  6. Give your best effort.
  7. Clean up after yourself.
  8. Be prepared and on time.
  9. Follow directions of all adults in the building.

Consequences:

  1. Verbal warning.
  2. Student conference.
  3. Parent phone call.
  4. Loss of privileges.
  5. Parent, teacher, student, administration conference.
  6. Office referral

Procedures:

  1. Enter the class maturely, take your seat, and begin your Do Now. Take out any homework and place on your desk.
  2. If you are tardy, please take your seat quietly, without disturbing Ms. Cooper or your colleagues. Excessive tardies will result in a disciplinary referral.
  3. Use the restroom before or after class. Seriously.
  4. If you finish your work: read or work on another assignment. Be productive.
  5. If you are absent, you are responsible for make-up work. Check Edmodo for assignments. Questions about missed work are taken before/after class or school.
  6. This is a community. Everyone participates.

Cell phones: I would love my students to learn how to operate a cell phone in a professional environment. We will work on this as a class. Until we get it down: I don’t want to see it; I don’t want to hear it.

After-school tutoring: I plan on offering after school tutoring for my class assignments and general reading and writing skills. All tutoring begins at 3:20. Please see me to set up an appointment.

**Students will adhere to ALL policies set forth by Jemison High School and Huntsville City Schools – NO EXCEPTIONS. Abidance by these policies will ensure success for students in and will create a productive and hardworking academic environment.

Return to Ms. Cooper by Friday, August 12th, 2016.

I have read the syllabus and agree to abide by all classroom school, and district rules and policies.

Student name: ______

Student signature:______Date: ______

I have read the syllabus and agree to encourage my student to follow all classroom, school, and district rules and policies. I agree to contact Ms. Cooper with any concerns I have about my child, and to work with Ms. Cooper to facilitate my child’s success.

Parent/Guardian: ______Date: ______

Phone Number(s): ______

Email Address:______

Best method for contact (text, email, phone call, etc.): ______

How can I best help your child this year? ______

Anything else that I should know about your child?

______