Syllabus for BCS 381 or BCS 681
Study Tour in the Biblical World: Israel and Palestine
February 26-March 12, 2010
Cincinnati Christian University
Mark Ziese, (513) 244-8190,
Purpose. The purpose of this course is to provide an “academic addendum” to the experience of travel in biblical world. Destinations for the 2010 study-tour focus on sites associated with the text of the Old Testament. A detailed itinerary will be provided upon request.
Credit. Those seeking 3 hours of academic credit must sign up for BCS 381 (undergraduate division) or BCS 681 (graduate division) before departure on February 26, 2010 through the registrar’s office. Tuition for this experience is offered at a reduced rate (ask for "extra curricular learning experience" in the office of student financial services).
Expectations. Those who seek academic credit for the study-tour experience must:
· Demonstrate the goals and life-style choices expected of all students representing the Cincinnati Christian University.
· Be a part of all segments of group travel. This includes pre-tour meetings, daily tours, group worship, and announced lectures.
· Carry a small notebook of handwritten notes for the duration of this study-tour. This notebook will contain a minimum of two categories of information: (1) A daily record of places visited and sites seen. (2) Reflections upon the study-tour experiences. These reflections should be written up daily and may consist of biblical applications, sermon or lesson illustrations, and issues of personal walk or spiritual discipline. It is recommended that photographers add a third section to this notebook, identifying the details of all captured images. This diary or log will be turned in for review in my office no later than April 15, 2010.
· Read and review the following book:
N. T. Wright, The Way of the Lord: Christian Pilgrimage in the Holy Land and Beyond. Eerdmans, 1999.
Note: This is a short book that is long on ideas. It may be read before, during, or after the trip (I would recommend before or during). Your review should be no less than 1,500 words in length (about 5 typed pages) and contain two sections, clearly marked. In the first part, focus is given to the author’s purpose for the book and method(s) used to achieve that purpose. In the second part, focus is given to a personal response to presented ideas. This review is due no later than April 15, 2010.
· Write a 3,000 word (10 typed pages) paper summarizing the completed study-tour experience. This paper should contain three clearly marked sections. The first section should be labeled, “What I Saw,” and should briefly summarize the places visited and sites seen (your small notebook should help here). The second section should be labeled, “What I Learned.” This section should summarize a few insights gained as a result of the tour and state why they are significant (likewise, consult your notebook). The third section should be labeled, “My Reflections,” and should survey what parts of the study-tour were most useful, the least useful, and why. This paper is due in my office on or before April 15, 2010.
· Additional requirement for graduate credit (BCS 681) only
Graduate students must meet the same expectations as outlined above for undergraduate students. However, in addition, they must carefully read and review the following book:
J. D. Currid, Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible. Baker, 1999.
This review should be about 1,500 words in length (about 5 pages), typed according to seminary standards, and include two parts. In the first part, focus will be given to the author’s purpose for the book and method(s) used to achieve that purpose. In the second part, focus will be given to a personal response to the book, outlining perceived strengths and weaknesses. These will be due in my office on or before April 15, 2010.
Grade. Grade assignments for the experience will be made on a pass-fail basis. Completion of all assignments in compliance with details outlined here will result in a pass. The absence of any one part of the assignment record or failure to completely comply with the details outlined here will result in a failing mark.