Professor: John Sypert, PhDCriswell College
972-746-1447
CRISWELL COLLEGE
FALL 2015
MIN625 L00.ATopics in Leadership
Time Management and Productivity
3 Credit Hours
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
A. Course Description
A detailed study, with a significant field education or research component, about a selected topic in Christian leadership. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic studied differs. Open to graduate students who are completing their final 18 hours of an M.A. The study topic is time management and productivity.
B. Course Objectives
At the end of this course, the student should demonstrate the ability to satisfy the following course outcomes:
1. Theology: to understand and have knowledge to apply the biblical and theological foundations of time management and productivity.
2. Biblical Studies: to identify and develop principles of time management and productivity through a study ofrelevant passages of Scripture.
3. Integration: to apply time management and productivity skills to your current work context.
4. Academic Advancement: to progress in critical thinking and writing skills.
C. Required Textbooks
DeYoung, Kevin. Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem.
Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.
Keller, Timothy. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. New York:
Riverhead Books, 2012.
Kogon, Kory, Adam Merrill, and Leena Rinne. The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary
Productivity. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015.
Perman, Matt. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things
Done. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014.
Tracy, Brian. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in
Less Time. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2007.
Traeger, Sebastian and Greg Gilbert. The Gospel At Work: How Working for King Jesus
Gives Purpose and Meaning to Our Jobs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014.
D. Course Requirements
1. Reading. Each student should be prepared to sign a statement at the end of the course indicating that they have completed the assigned reading. 20% of grade. Due December 7.
2. Book Reviews. Each student will write a 3-5 page review on the following books:What’s Best Next by Matt Perman,Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller, and The 5 Choices by Kory Kogon et al. Guidelines for book reviews are in the CriswellStyleManual(pp. 99-102). 10% each, for a total of 30% of grade. Keller Review DueSeptember 14, Perman Review Due September 28, Kogon et al Review Due November 16.
3. Essay on Biblical Passage. Each student will write a 5 page essay on one of the following passages of Scripture, and present their findings to the class in a 15-20minute presentation.
- Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15
- Genesis 3:17-19
- Proverbs 6:6-11
- Proverbs 26:13-16
- Ecclesiastes 2:17-25
- Jeremiah 29:4-7
- Matthew 5:16, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 2:14 (focusing on “good works”)
- Matthew 25:14-30
- Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5
- Colossians 3:17, 23-24
The student will let the professor know what passage they have chosen to write on by October 5.
These three questions should be addressed in the essay:
1) What does this text say?
2) What does this text mean?
3) How does this text apply to issues of time management and productivity?
25% of grade (15% paper, 10% presentation). Due November 2.
4. Leader Interview Paper. Each student will interview a business or ministry leader and submit a 10 page paper (not including the title page and bibliography), detailing the time management and productivity principles/practices used in the leader’s occupation and a critical evaluation of these principles/practices. The following outline should be observed:
I. Introduction (1/2 page)
II. Body of Paper (9 pages)
A. Brief Bio of Leader and their Occupation (Approx. 1 page)
B. Leaders’ Principles/Practices of Time Management and Productivity (Approx. 4 pages)
C. Critical Evaluation of Leaders’ Principles/Practices (Approx. 4 pages)
III. Conclusion (1/2 page)
25% of grade. Due December 7th.
E. ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Students are expected to attend all class sessions.
Absences: Since class participation is vital to learning, absences should be taken only when absolutely necessary. Absences of class sessions for more than seven (7) classes for two-days-per week classes and three (3) for block classes will result in an “F” in the course. The professor and the Executive Vice President and Provost must approve all exceptions to this policy. Proportionate absences apply to all other terms (J-Term, summer classes, language term, etc.). Students are responsible for all absences due to illness or any other reason. Granting of excused absences is permitted at the discretion of the professor.
Tardiness: Being at least fifteen minutes (15) minutes tardy to class, or departing fifteen (15) minutes prior the end of class is considered one absence. Three instances of tardiness of fifteen minutes or less equals one absence. The tardy student is responsible for notifying the professor of his/her presence in writing at the end of class. Students who wish to depart early should clear it with the professor prior to departure.
F. GRADING SCALE
A 97-100 4.0 grade points per semester hour
A- 93-96 3.7 grade points per semester hour
B+ 91-92 3.3 grade points per semester hour
B 88-90 3.0 grade points per semester hour
B- 86-87 2.7 grade points per semester hour
C+ 83-85 2.3 grade points per semester hour
C 80-82 2.0 grade points per semester hour
C- 78-79 1.7 grade points per semester hour
D+ 75-77 1.3 grade points per semester hour
D 72-74 1.0 grade point per semester hour
D- 70-71 0.7 grade points per semester hour
F 0-69 0.0 grade points per semester hour
INCOMPLETE GRADES
Students requesting a grade of Incomplete (I) must understand that incomplete grades maybe given only upon approval of the faculty member involved. An “I” may be assigned only when a student is currently passing a course and in situations involving extended illness, serious injury, death in the family, or employment or government reassignment, not student neglect.
Students are responsible for contacting their professors prior to the end of the semester, plus filing the appropriate completed and approved academic request form with the Registrar’s Office. The “I” must be removed (by completing the remaining course requirements) no later than 60 calendar days after the grade was assigned, or the “I” will become an “F.”
G. CLASSROOM MILIEU
1. ACADEMIC HONESTY
Absolute truth is an essential belief and the basis of behavior for those who believe in a God
who cannot lie and forbids falsehood. Academic honesty includes the basic premise that all
work students submit must be their own and any ideas received from somewhere else must be
carefully documented.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
• cheating of any kind,
• submitting, without proper approval, work originally prepared by the student for another course,
• plagiarism, which is the submitting of work prepared by someone else as if it were his own, and
• failing to credit sources properly in written work.
2. LEARNING DISABILITIES
If you have learning or other disabilities, please inform the professor at the beginning of the
course. Our intention is to help all students learn. We will try to accommodate your needs if at
all possible.
3. DRESS CODE (While on Campus)
All students are to follow the Criswell College dress code as noted in the Student Handbook.
Students not in compliance to the code may be asked to leave class. The dress code reflects
our intent of preparing students for leadership in ministry. Here are the basics of the dress
code. Jeans and casual wear are appropriate provided that the clothing is modest and in good
condition. Both men and women should avoid extremes in hairstyles and jewelry. No body
piercings are allowed except women’s earrings. All students are expected to maintain proper
hygiene and grooming. Shorts and tank-tops are not allowed on campus. Other inappropriate
wear would include torn clothing, skimpy dresses, bare midriffs and bare shoulders.
4. AUDITING AND SIT-IN STUDENTS
Any student may enroll in a course as an Auditor or Sit-in as long as the class is below
capacity. A student’s permanent transcript will reflect which courses have been completed as
audits. Sit-in students are not given grades by professors and their transcripts will not reflect
enrollment in the course. Taking tests and participation in course activities are afforded to
credit students in the syllabus and is at the discretion of the professor.
H. DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS
General
Students participating in courses through Distance Education, whether with or without live interaction, must complete the academic requirements for those courses with the integrity and commitment necessary to participate in and benefit from all of the exercises provided by the professor for learning the subject matter of the course. Therefore credit for Distance Education courses is the same as credit for courses taken on campus.
Library
Distance Education Students can access information about Criswell College’s Wallace Library at 214-818-1348 or The Wallace Library manual is available at
Student Life and support
Students needing educational support or services should contact the Student Life Office (SLO) at 214-818-1332 or or the Registrar at 214-818-1303.
VIDEO AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Unless otherwise specifically instructed in writing by the professor, students must neither materially nor digitally reproduce materials from any course offered by Criswell College for or with the significant possibility of distribution.
I. DISCLAIMER
This syllabus is intended to reflect accurately the learning objectives, instructional format, readings, learning activities, evaluation criteria, policies on late assignments and absences, grading scale, course schedule, reference list, and other information necessary for students to appraise the course. However, during the course of the semester the professor reserves the right to modify any portion of this syllabus as may appear necessary because of events and circumstances that occur during the semester.
J. COURSE CALENDAR
Date / Topic / ReadingAug. 17 / Introduction of Course / None
Aug. 24 / Making God Supreme in Our Productivity / Perman, pp. 11-68
Aug. 31 / Gospel-Driven Productivity / Perman, pp. 69-142
Sept. 7 / Labor Day / NO CLASS
Sept. 14 / Defining What’s Most Important
Keller Book Review Due / Perman, pp. 143-190
Sept. 21 / Structuring Your Time / Perman, pp. 191-252
Sept. 28 / Doing What’s Most Important
Perman Book Review Due / Perman, pp. 253-330
Oct. 5 / Idolatry, Idleness, and Purpose in Work
Submit Text for Essay / Traeger and Gilbert, pp. 11-74
Oct. 12 / The “How” Questions of Work / Traeger and Gilbert, pp. 75-160
Oct. 19 / The Problem of Busyness, Part 1 / DeYoung, pp. 11-64
Oct. 26 / The Problem of Busyness, Part 2 / DeYoung, pp. 65-118
Nov. 2 / Presentation of Essays on Biblical Passages / None
Nov. 9 / Practical Productivity Tips, Part 1 / Tracy, pp. ix-59
Nov. 16 / Practical Productivity Tips, Part 2
Kogon, et al Book Review Due / Tracy, pp. 60-117
Nov. 23 / Fall Break and Thanksgiving Holiday / NO CLASS
Nov. 30 / Panel Discussion / None
Dec. 7 / Leader Interview Paper Due
Reading Statement Due / None
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allen, David. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. New York: Penguin Books, 2001.
Covey, Stephen R. First Things First. New York: Free Press, 1996.
______. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 2013.
DeYoung, Kevin. Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem. Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 2013.
Drucker, Peter F. The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done, rev. ed.
New York: HarperCollins, 2006.
Keller, Timothy. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. New York: Dutton, 2012.
Kogon, Kory, Adam Merrill, and Leena Rinne. The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015.
Perman, Matt. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2014.
Pozen, Robert C. Extreme Productivity: Boost Your Results, Reduce Your Hours. New York: HarperCollins,
2012.
Tracy, Brian. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time.
Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2007.
Traeger, Sebastian and Greg Gilbert. The Gospel At Work: How Working for King Jesus Gives Purpose and
Meaning to Our Jobs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014.
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