RELS 6.66
Section 4998, Spring 2016 Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course traces the development of the character Satan or "The Devil" from its beginnings in Biblical literature.  It will examine the evolution of the idea of Satan through  Jewish, Christian and Islamic texts, great literary works of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, and contemporary film and comic strips.

Student Learning Outcomes

Class Meetings

Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00-10:20 AM

Instructor Contact

Eric Thompson

Email: ethompson@santarosa.edu

Phone: (707) 527-4625

Office Hours: Mondays 10:30-11:30; Tuesdays 9:00-10:00; or by appointment

I respond to emails generally in the mornings Mon-Thurs, and sporadically on Friday; I live unplugged from the Matrix most evenings and weekends, except sometimes.

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site as a syllabus and for the grade book.

Textbook

There are Three books required:

1. The Syllabus of Satan by Eric Thompson (electronic or print)

2. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

3. Satan in America by W. Scott Poole

4. There will be one collateral reading assignment to be chosen from a list

 

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. A student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed ten percent (10%) of the total hours of class time. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact the instructor to avoid being dropped from the class.

Attendance

For face-to-face courses, students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be dropped by the instructor. For classes that meet online, students who fail to log on and initiate participation by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the first day of the class may be dropped by the instructor. 

Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with TLC or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.

You must file for the P/NP option by the date in the schedule of classes. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade.

Late Policy

All assignments are due on the due date. A late submission will receive a 20% penalty. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement. There will be two papers assigned and an option for a third. This policy applies to only those assignments.

Exams

There will be 9 short quizzes and a Final Exam all taken in class. The quizzes will be given at the beginning of class and will take 10 to 15 minutes at the most. Quizzes will not be given to latecomers. If you are late or absent and miss a quiz, you must make special arrangements with the instructor to make it up. Make up quizzes will only be offered for valid, verifiable reasons for the lateness or absence.

Grading Policy

Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades. It is your responsibility to know what your grade is at any given time.  Objective quizzes taken in class will be graded and posted in Canvas within two days. Essays will take up to two weeks.

There will be 9 short quizzes, two essays, one project for which the student can choose to write a (third) paper or give a presentation, a brief writing sample on the first day, and a final exam. All these assignments will add up to a possible 666 points.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A	90%	600 points or more
B	80%	539 to 599 points
C	70%	478 to 538 points
D	60%	417 to 477 points

 

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's statement on Academic Integrity

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278).

List of assignments

Note to students: the assignments listed below are in alphabetical (not chronological) order. To see them listed by due date, go to Modules.