Late interpretation papers will be penalized 10% the first hour, and 5% per week thereafter.

In grad school writing, a picture is not worth any words: these essay assignments are largely about your ability to present complex thoughts in words. Papers must be written to a near-thesis standard. That is, minimum format standards must be met, as defined below. English grammar, idiom and spelling must be up to graduate level. Always include a strong introduction paragraph—declare what you intend to show the reader—and conclusion paragraph. Qualities valued include clarity, succinctness, and precision. Essay style uses traditional paragraphs (and is thus distinctively different from instruction manual style which relies on outline numbers / letters for clarity). I also want you to get into the habit of using section headings, so these will be expected in all papers. (These provide help for your reader and discipline for yourself, the writer, to organize your thoughts logically.)

10% of the grades on the typed papers will be Form; that is, conformity to the above standards. You must proof-read carefully so that we may ‘prof-read.’ (Our purpose is to motivate all Western Seminary students to present work that consistently looks as good as its content is.)

Resist the temptation to try to sound like a Bible scholar. I recognize that what I am asking requires a rather delicate balance. But you would not be in this class if you were already expert in Bible.

All work must reflect Master’s Level use of the English Language. Plagiarism will result in failure of the first assignment so discovered. A second instance will result in failure in the course. (Note seminary policy on plagiarism in Catalog, p. 29.)

Attendance: Attend class faithfully and attentively. (See seminary Student Handbook, p. 7, on class attendance policy!)

If you have to miss a class, you are still held responsible for the class material, both lecture content and assignment instructions. You need to make arrangements in advance with a classmate for any notes or audiotaping. Only if an absence is a last minute emergency will the instructor feel any obligation to accommodate a student.