Christian Lifestyles and Doctrine
Senior Theology
Syllabus 2008-2009
Course Objective:
The student will study each of the Christian life choices and the personal growth and development necessary for each of them.
Practical Application:
The student will be able to analyze real life situations and circumstances to judge if and how they apply to Catholic doctrines. They will have the understanding needed to make solid faith based decisions in the future.
Calendar for the Semester
August
Organization, syllabus explanation, Application of Faith in life after High School
Personal Growth and Development
September
Communication Skills
Human Sexuality – Theology of the Body
Hot topics relating to human sexuality
Human Sexuality Paper due
4 Vocations and how to live the faith through them
Religious Life & Communities
October
Religious life Project Research
Single lifestyles
Single lifestyle research for report
Single lifestyle report due
Watching a video (spotlighting single life) and taking notes
Movie Response paper
November
Married life
Marriage project research
Marriage project & presentations
Watching a video (spotlighting marriage) and taking notes
Movie Response paper
Holy Orders
Holy Orders (speaker?) research & paper
December
Application of Catholic lifestyles project
Presentations
Prepare for Exam
Final Exam
Your grade is made up of:
Points earned divided by total points will be your first quarter average (see below for an explanation of second quarter average). Points are earned by participation, assignments, tests and activities such as presentations and projects.
Second Quarter Project: 10 hours of Christian Service. This counts 10% of the 2nd quarter grade and must be from one of the following categories. If you are unsure of the validity of your service hours see me!! Get them approved before you put the time into them.
Service/ministry within the parish community by
- Serving in a liturgical ministry: reader, server, usher, singer, etc.
- assisting with parish activities: festivals, VBS, pancake breakfasts, etc.
- Maintenance service: cleaning the church, shoveling snow, yard work etc.
- Teaching and helping in religious education programs
Service/ministry with neighborhood community by
- Baby sitting free for those in need
- visiting and helping the elderly and shut-ins
- organizing and helping with neighborhood clean up
- helping to supervise playground activities
Service/ministry with the larger community by
- visiting nursing homes, hospitals, convalescent centers etc.
- collecting or delivering food for the needy
- assisting in meal programs for the poor, needy or elderly
- participating in peace and justice activities, pro-life rallies, demonstrations, etc.
Only adults who have supervised the service activity will sign service hour form at the time of the activity. The form should be COMPLETELY filled out and turned in on the exam period.
Late Assignment/Absence Policy:
A due date will be given for assignments: 1 day late = ½ credit, anything later = 0 credit.
If assignment is late due to an excused absence then due date is extended and determined by the length of the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what he/she has missed and make up missed assignments. An assignment with a due date that has been stated 2 or more weeks in advance; such as a project is due ON THAT DATE unless otherwise discussed with the teacher.
EXAMPLE: Religious Life project due date is given 2 weeks in advance and some research is done during class; a student is hospitalized with appendicitis and has surgery on returning to school the student and teacher decide on an appropriate due date.
Expectations:
1. When the second bell rings class begins. Students are in their seats prepared for class with the necessary materials on the desk.
2. Students will be attentive and participate in class.
3. Students will remain quiet unless called upon allowing for respectful classroom interactions.
4. Questions are encouraged during class however, to insure that the curriculum is covered; some questions may need to be answered in a one on one situation. Students can set up appointments with me or can stop in before or after school.
5. Food and beverages are allowed in class if it is not disruptive or distracting in nature. THIS PRIVILEDGE will be left to my discretion. All wrappers/containers MUST be put into the garbage or taken with you.
Consequences:
1. Disruption of the educational process in this classroom will result initially in a verbal discussion between student and teacher.
2. If disruptive behavior becomes a habit, detention, extra assignments, moving of student’s seat will result.
3. If the above adjustments do not help with student’s behavior, parents will be notified and/or Dean of Students will intervene.
4. Chronic classroom disruptive behavior will jeopardize your grade, not to mention your education and the education of your classmates.
Social Justice
Textbook: “ Living Justice and Peace; Catholic social teaching in practice”
By Jerry Windley-Daoust
Course Objective: The student will grow in knowledge of how the Scriptures and Catholic social teaching call them to justice, and will lead them to possess the ability and desire to respond to that call in their daily life.
Course Goal: The student will know the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and that they form the heart of the Catholic church’s response to world issues. They will examine human society in light of the Gospel and church Tradition, for the purpose of guiding us as Christians, to carry on the mission of Jesus in the world.
Course Requirements:
- You are required to have a notebook and basic educational supplies.
- There will be individual and small group projects. These involve research and analysis and presenting material to the class. These may be oral or written reports. These will incorporate knowledge and creativity.
- Tests will be given over lecture and textbook materials. The tests will be short answer, fill in the blank and essay format.
- Grades will be determined by daily class participation (requirements below), presentations, projects, tests.
- There will be a Senior Service Project, completed by the beginning of May. Explanation and criteria will be given before the end of January. This project will take up many hours of time both inside and outside the classroom. This Senior Service Project is a requirement for graduation and replaces the 10 service hours that were required in the previous Religion courses here at Calvert. This project is a means to provide our seniors with a culminating service experience that enables them to take responsibility and reflects the attitude of putting their faith in action.
Classroom Philosophy:
You are here to learn and I am here to instruct. Therefore no student has the right to interfere with these processes. Respect will be practiced at all times. At any time if a student is not engaged in the classroom activities
supplementary assignments may be given.
Common Sense Behavior Rules:
1. Be in the classroom by the time the bell rings and take your seat; by the second bell get quiet!
2. Be prepared with all the necessary materials for class.
3. Talk is permitted only when called upon unless told to do otherwise.
4. Respect my authority and respect each other.
5. Follow and use common courtesy and manners.
Consequences for inappropriate behavior:
1st time: Verbal warning
2nd time: Participation points reduced
3rd time: Conference with student/detention
*If problem is chronic or severe, parental involvement is necessary and/or possibility of conference with the Dean of Students
Class Behavior & Participation Expectations:
Each student begins the semester with an A+, 100% as long as you display the following classroom behaviors:
1.) Be in your assigned seat @ the second bell & quiet
- at this time make sure your uniform is in order
2.) Show respect @ prayer
- Pray or be silent
3.) Get materials out & begin journal work, look over notes, read from the textbook
4.) Points will taken off for the following:
a.) Disrupting/Distracting behaviors
b.) Lack of materials
c.) Sleeping
d.) Doing work for other classes
e.) Writing/passing notes
f.) Being “off task” in group work/discussions
g.) Not adding to the dynamics of the class in a positive way
Overall Grade
Your grade is made up of participation, written assignments, quizzes, papers, projects, presentations & journal entries. At the time of the assignment you will have a handout with the criteria specifics explained for you. If you do not understand requirements, due dates etc. you are strongly encouraged to:
ASK QUESTIONS!!! TALK TO ME! I AM AVAILABLE FOR YOU!
YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!
Senior Service Project
As a part of the senior religion classes, they are required to put together a senior
service project in order to graduate and to pass the class.
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