New Testament Course Syllabus Fall Semester ~ Lansing Catholic High School

Mrs. Gates Room: 210

Email:mary.gates@lansingcatholic.org
Course Website: www.newtestamenttheo.weebly.com
I. Course Description
Welcome to New Testament Theology, the required frst semester theology course for LCHS tenth graders. This course is
designed for you to grow in knowledge of scripture and love of Jesus.
This course is intended to introduce the New Testament Christian Scriptures, the Word of God. By working directly
with the Christian scriptures, as well as with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the textbook you will develop a
reverential appreciation and familiarization with the Word of God, learn to analyze and synthesize what is contained
therein, and understand how these writings apply to your life today.
We will accomplish this in three stages. First we will look at who Jesus Christ is in light of the entire New Testament.
Secondly we will look at His life as presented in the gospels. Thirdly, we will study how Jesus Christ continues his
mission through the church in the remainder of the New Testament.
II. Course Content
A Outcomes/Skills - At the end of this course you will be able to:
1. Explain who Jesus Christ is according to history and the Bible,
2. interpret Scripture in a meaningful way,
3. understand the purpose of the Incarnation and the role of the Church to continue the mission of
Jesus, 4. pray using the Scripture.
a. Reading & Writing Requirements:
i. Reading - Students will read portions of Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as
the respective chapters in their textbook. Students should aim to read for understanding.
ii. Writing It is important for high school students to develop proper writing skills practice those skills
on all school assignments.
III. Course Materials
a. Textbooks Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course, Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church (YouCat)
b. General supplies
i. Various handouts will be distributed throughout the semester; students are responsible for bringing
these to class as required.
ii. A pen for note-taking and in-class assignments.
iii. A notebook for class notes and used EXCLUSIVELY for this class this will be collected periodically.
IV. Course Policies
a. Attendance/absences/tardiness
i. If you are absent please refer to the course website for handouts and a summary of that days
activities/notes.
ii. For excused absences you have as many days as you are absent to make up the work as is school policy.
iii. Students will not be allowed to make up any work missed from an unexcused absence or tardy, however,
it is recommended that you still complete it so that you master the outcomes for each unit.
b. Make-up work/late work
i. Any assignment not turned in ON TIME (the beginning of class on the due dates) receives ffty percent
of the earned grade unless you have an excused absence, in which case, the assignment is due in
accordance with the policies in the Student Handbook. ALL PROJECTS AND PRESENTATIONS,
HOWEVER, ARE DUE ON THE DATE SPECIFIED REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE
AN EXCUSED ABSENCE WITHOUT PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.
ii. It is your responsibility to fnd out what you have missed when you are absent, and to be prepared
when you return to class.
iii. If you miss a test, be prepared to make it up on the day you return, or as noted in the Student Handbook
for extended absences. Tests need to be made up outside of class time.
c. Classroom rules/expectations
i. Daily Routine
1. When the second bell rings everyone should be in their seat silently copying the daily scripture
passage
2.Class prayer
3.Class discussions/activities
4.Recap of the day's lesson or major points
5.Make the room look great for the next class and turn in any papers
ii. Classroom Protocol
1.Students will be considered tardy if they come to class unprepared without materials or they
arrive after the second bell. You will not be admitted without a pass from the Front Ofce or
from the teacher who held you over. If the door is shut, please do not knock. Wait silently by the
door until whatever we are doing is fnished and then I will open the door for you.
2.Bathroom breaks are a disruption during class and should only be taken if it is an emergency,
which means this should happen RARELY.
3.Listening is a crucial skill to develop and is respectful of others. Only one person should be
talking at a time. Side conversations are unacceptable.
4.Class does not end when the bell rings, it ends when I have dismissed the class after making
sure it is neat and orderly for the next group just as you found it.
5.You may not leave the room to go to the computer lab or library during this class, regardless of
what we are doing, unless I have arranged for you to do something for this class.
6.RESPECT ~ for each other, for what we are studying, and for any guests we may have.
d. Disciplinary policies
i. Electronic devices:
1.per school policy, phones are not allowed in classrooms. Phones will be confscated and given
to the assistant principal
2.iPads/tablets will be used on a need basis. Students may bring them to Theology class and
leave them on the side table (by the drawers) until it is the appropriate time to use them. A
student must always ask the teacher for permission to use a tablet and tablets need to remain
fat on the students desktop (not under tables, in laps, etc) at all times. School policy is clear
that tablets are only to be used for academic assignments, therefore, a mis-used tablet will be
confscated by the teacher.
ii. Students who come to class out of proper dress code will receive a detention and be required to leave to
correct the problem.
iii. Cheating in any form is unacceptable. If you cheat:
1.you will receive a zero on the assignment/quiz
2.your parents and the assistant principal will be notifed
3.you will still need to complete the assignment to work towards mastery of the material but it
will be for no credit
e. Homework policy
i. Homework is given in order for the student to grow in understanding of the material to work toward
the course objectives. All homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the
due date.
V. Grading Policy/Assessment
a. Grading scale
A 4.0 100-92%
A- 3.67 90-91 %
B+ 3.33 88-89 %
B 3.00 82-87 %
B- 2.67 80-81 %
C+ 2.33 78-79 %
C 2.00 72-77 %
D+ 1.33 68-69 %
D 1.00 62-67 %
D- 0.67 60-61 %
E 0.00 0-59 %
b. Calculation of Grades
i. Students can expect to receive graded work back in a timely fashion. Quizzes/tests are
graded/posted/returned within three days, other assignments no longer than fve days. As always, you
can check your grade on Skyward Family Access. Grades on Skyward will be updated at least every two
weeks.
ii. Grades are determined by total points (not weighed) - to calculate your grade by hand, add up all of the
points you have earned and divide that by the total points possible for tasks to date.
c. Extra Credit I will occasionally allow you to go above and beyond on an assignment to earn extra credit.
d. Service Every student is expected to complete 10 hours of community service each semester. Service hours must
be completed with a non-proft agency (not a family member or neighbor). The service covenant is due
September 9
th
for a grade. Late service covenants will earn a 0 (note: this is the one exception to the late-work
policy). The service evaluation is due Feb 3, 2015. Both forms are available online. Failure to turn in an
evaluation with a Satisfactory performance or the necessary hours will result in a student failing Theology
class even if their academic performance is passing.
e. Types of Assessments
i. Formative assessments will be given throughout each week which will help me check for your
understanding of the concepts and vocabulary. These will not always be entered as a graded
assignment.
ii. Summative assessments will be given at the end of each unit. Some of these will be in the form of a quiz
or test that will include vocabulary identifcation/application, summarizing, comparing and
contrasting. Mastery of other outcomes will be measured with projects, creative assignments or
collaborative group work.
iii. Formats of quizzes and tests will vary but may include an essay format, short answer, identifcation,
matching, true-false, multiple-choice, performance/demonstration.
iv. Assessments will be designed to show an understanding of the material per our outcomes.
v. The fnal exam will be comprehensive. In addition to prior assessments, an exam review will be
provided.
f. Progress Reports parents of students who are in danger of failing will be notifed. LCHS will also notify parents
at defciency time if a student is at 70% average or below for the semester.
VI. Course Procedures
a. Work requirements in order to work toward mastering the course outcomes, students will need to:
i. Read the texts carefully for understanding
ii. Participate in class discussions, experiences, and activities
iii. Self-evaluate and set individual goals as well as commit to prayer
b. Group work
i. Students will occasionally be asked to pair up with someone or a few others to read and/or prepare a
short presentation. Sometimes these groups will be assigned work on recognizing and appreciating
each persons uniqueness.
c. Notebooks/binders As noted earlier, I ask that you keep a notebook exclusively for this class for notes and
assignments some assignments completed in the notebook will be checked for credit.
VII. Personal Statement
a. Words of wisdom- Succeeding in This Class
i. One of the great sources of excitement in high school is new-found independence this semester is an
opportunity for you to continue to develop your own relationship with God. Be an engaged learner:
take notes, participate in discussions, complete your work. Above all: commit to prayer, practice virtue,
and discover the person God made you to be. He has great plans for you!
VIII. Course Schedule
Tentative
Dates
Topics Activities, Assignments, and Assessments
Aug 21-22 Syllabus, Recap of OT ideas
and themes
.
Who is Jesus h!ist"

Titles of Jesus, e#idence fo!
Jesus,
$nspi!ation, ine!!ancy, and
inte!p!etation of Sc!iptu!e
!itical inte!p!etation of
sc!iptu!e, %o!mation of the
canon
&nostic gospels, 'e(
Testament Wo!ld
O!igins of the &ospels,
simila!ities and diffe!ences
&ospel of )atthe(
&ospels of )a!*, +u*e
&ospel of John
&ospel of John, Who is ,aul"
Acts of the Apostles
Romans and o!inthians
&alatians and -phesians,
,hilippians
olossians, Thessalonians
-.ams
Timothy, Titus, ,hilemon,
/eb!e(s
James, ,ete!, John, Jude
Re#elation, O#e!#ie( of 'T