Introduction to Biblical Worldview
RLGN-105

An introduction to the biblical worldview and contemporary moral issues. This course will introduce critical thinking skills. Religious and philosophical worldviews will also be explored.

Each student has been influenced by various cultural, religious, and family values and morals and often holds to personal opinions regarding these matters that have never been seriously considered. He or she must, therefore, be challenged to articulate and to validate a personal worldview by defining what is believed and defend why it is believed. Further, the student must learn to critically reflect on the many viewpoints and ethical issues that society offers, learn how to effectively communicate the biblical/Christian worldview in a multicultural society, and develop a consistently biblical approach to viewing and living his or her life.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. 1. Identify critical thinking principles and logical fallacies commonly used in argumentation.
   2. Define the term “worldview” and articulate a biblical/Christian worldview.
   3. Understand the five worldview questions of origin, identity, meaning, morality, and destiny.
   4. Identify key components in religious worldviews.
   5. Differentiate between a biblical and non-biblical approach to ethical and contemporary issues.

General Education Foundational Skill Learning Outcomes

1. 1. Critical Thinking 1: Determine the validity and logical consistency of claims and/or positions, using reading comprehension strategies when relevant. 
   2. Critical Thinking 2: Structure an argument or position using credible evidence and valid reasoning. 
   3. Critical Thinking 3: Compare and contrast the biblical worldview with a non-biblical worldview, evaluating the influence of assumptions and contexts on ethics and values. 
   4. Critical Thinking 5: Relate critical thinking and ethics to participation in God’s redemptive work. 
   5. Christianity and Contexts 3: Apply the biblical text and its principles to life in a manner that bridges various contexts and considers the implications for personal growth. 

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore.

Additional Materials for Learning

1. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
2. Internet access (broadband recommended)
3. Canvas recommended browsers
4. Microsoft Word
5. Windows Media Player
6. Interactive Turabian-Based Writing Guide

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 150 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 150 words. (MLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: Critical Thinking 1, 2, 5; Christianity and Contexts 3.

This assignment is designed to assess elements of the student’s personal worldview. This essay reflects the student’s current knowledge and beliefs, so it may include personal pronouns and answers. The student is required to provide a 150–200-word minimum (total word count, not including the questions) response to the provided prompts. (MLOs: A, D)

This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: Critical Thinking 1, 3.

The student will write a 450 word (minimum) research-based paper that focuses on answering the 5 Worldview Questions from a Biblical worldview. A minimum of 3 different sources is required. At least 2 of the sources must be outside of the course materials, videos, textbooks and the Bible.  (MLOs: B,C,D)

This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: Critical Thinking 1, 2, 3, 5; Christianity and Contexts 3.

Each quiz will cover the Reading and Presentation material for the assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 30-minute time limit. A 2-point deduction may be assessed for each minute that the student goes over the 30-minute time limit. (MLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: Critical Thinking 3, 5; Christianity and Contexts 3.

The student will format all written assignments, including discussion boards, according to the guide corresponding with his or her degree program (APA, MLA, or Turabian). All written assignments in the course, with the exception of the Discussions, must be submitted as Microsoft Word documents or a PDF file.

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at [email protected] for accommodations.  Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition.   For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/. Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at [email protected].  Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs. Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory.

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155.