• The Bible (any modern translation is acceptable)
• John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
•  Martin S. Jaffee, Early Judaism: Religious Worlds of the First Judaic Millennium
• Some readings will be available through internet links on the syllabus

• daily preparation and participation (including reading responses; 15%)
• one test (10%)
• 1 midterm exam (15%)
• The Synagogue Project (includes workshops and paper; 20%)
• 1 5-page final paper (20%)
• 1 final exam (20%)

Class Participation and Preparation:  Participation in class meetings is an essential part of this course.  In addition to completing the assigned readings for each class meeting, students are expected to reflect on those readings in preparation for class discussion by completing a reading response.

Grading Scale:
 

E-mail:  Class announcements and other communications from the professor may sometimes be made via e-mail.  Students are therefore expected to make sure that their e-mail account is working properly and to check their e-mail on a regular basis.

Computers: Responsible computer users realize that computers are not always reliable (they can crash, they can scramble; during certain times of the semester it may be difficult to get on a terminal; printer problems abound, etc.). You must therefore take all precautions to ensure that your papers are completed on time. Making frequent backups is just the beginning: You should also keep a hard copy of your most recent version of a paper, so that should your z-drive fail or your disk become lost, you will be able to reconstruct your paper quickly. In the case of a last minute printer problem, e-mail me your paper (not as an attachment, but pasted into the body of the e-mail); you must then hand in a printed version of the paper ASAP.  In short, disk errors and printer problems are not sufficient excuses for late papers.

Paper & Exams: All written work is to be submitted in class, STAPLED, on the due date.  Late papers will be penalized by one-third of a grade for each day late (including non-class days); papers will not be accepted after one week (e.g., a paper due on a Monday will not be accepted after 5:00 pm the following Monday).  Only in extreme situations will extensions be granted.

The Writing Center @ Roanoke College, located on the lower level of Fintel Library, is a place where writers working in any academic discipline, at any level of competence, at any stage of the writing process meet with trained peer writing tutors in informal, one-on-one tutoring sessions focused on writing.  Tutoring is free!  The Writing Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 to 9 pm starting Sunday, September 9th.  You may simply stop in, or schedule an appointment ahead of time by going to MyRC: Academics and looking for the Tutoring Schedule link.  Questions?  Email the Writing Center at writingcenter@roanoke.edu or call 375-4949.  Also, be on the lookout for Writing Workshops, Creative Writing Playshops, and Grammar Crammers.

Special Services:  If you are on record with the College's Special Services as having special academic or physical needs requiring accommodations, please meet with me as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations. Please note that arrangements for extended time on exams and testing in a semi-private setting must be made at least one week before an exam. If you believe you are eligible for accommodations, but have not yet formally contacted Special Services, please call 375-2249 or drop by the Office of Academic Services in Fintel Library.

Electronic Devices: Cell phones must be turned off prior to entering the classroom.  Laptops may be used for note taking during class, but you may not log on to the internet or to an e-mail server unless specifically told to do so. The use of laptops or any other electronic device during an exam is strictly prohibited. Any use of such devices during a quiz or exam will be considered a break of academic integrity.

Academic Integrity: During freshman orientation you should have attended a session on academic integrity, during which you learned the specifics of Roanoke College's expectations for academic integrity and the penalties for failing to follow them. All aspects of "Academic Integrity at Roanoke College" will be observed in this class. I will turn over all suspected cases of academic integrity violations to the Dean's office for investigation. In brief, you are responsible for citing both ideas and words that are not your own. Proper citation format can be found in A Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker.  Please consult with me if you have any questions about your responsibility to document your work.