TH02402: Exploring Catholicism II

Professor: David Turnbloom Stokes North, N430 C turnbloo@bc.edu Mon., 9:30 - 12:00 Wed., 9:30 - 12:00 Or by Appointment

Office Hours:

Course Description: This course is a two-semester exploration of the vision, beliefs, practices, and challenge of Catholicism. The first semester explores human existence as lived in the light of the Mystery of God and the gift of Jesus Christ. We will explore the vision, beliefs and some spiritual practices that characterize Roman Catholic Christianity. The second semester considers the Church as the people of God, gathered and sent forth in the Spirit; the sacraments as catalysts of ongoing transformation in Christ; and the challenge of the spiritual life today. This introductory course fulfills one semester of the Core Requirement in Theology* at Boston College. *A NOTE ON CORE: This course satisfies one semester of the two-semester core requirement in Theology. Please note that in order to complete this requirement, students must take the second semester of THIS core sequence, Exploring Catholicism II. One semester of two different theology sequences, e.g., Exploring Catholicism I and Biblical Heritage II, will NOT satisfy the theology core requirement (Academic Catalog, p. 217). Students who are unclear as to this regulation should consult their instructor or the Theology Department. Course Objectives: To develop a working familiarity with basic theological language. To develop a broad understanding of Catholicisms central beliefs and practices, its history, and contemporary challenges it faces. To develop an ability to ask theological questions and know how to find the answers. Required Texts: Catholic Study Bible. ed. Donald Senior and John J. Collins. Oxford Univ. Press, 2011. (Abbrev: CSB) Keys to the Council: Unlocking the Teaching of Vatican II. Richard R. Gaillardetz and Catherine E. Clifford. Liturgical Press, 2012. (Abbrev: KTC)

These are available in the bookstore and online. They will be used as required text for the second semester as well. All other required reading will be provided to you electronically. Course Requirements: Attendance: Students are required to attend class. Attendance will be taken. You are allowed two (2) unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence beyond two will result in a 15 point penalty to your final grade. An absence is excused if prior permission was granted due to an urgent and documentable reason. Be on time for class. Regular tardiness will result in a penalty to your final grade. It is your responsibility to make sure your name is on the attendance sign-up sheet. Participation: Students are required to participate regularly during class. This is done by preparing written questions for Fridays, participating in Friday discussions, as well as asking/answering questions during lectures. All students must sign up for a Friday on which they will be responsible for preparing a written question (maximum 100 words) for discussion. The question must engage that weeks reading/lecture material. The questions must be e-mailed to the professor by midnight the evening before class. The purpose of these discussion questions is to foster critical engagement with the material. Questions should be more than clarifications. Quizzes: All assigned reading is required reading. There will be random, unannounced quizzes on the reading material. These quizzes cannot be made up for any reason. Your best 10 quiz scores will count towards your grade. Exams: There will be two exams. These exams will be in a short answer format. If you have an excused absence on an exam day, you may take the exam before the date of the exam. Final Project: The final project will take the place of a final exam. Extra Credit: You may attend a pre-approved lecture and submit an essay (min 1000 words) summarizing the talk and relating it to our course. The essay is due 72 hours after the lecture. This may only be done once for extra credit.

Grade Distribution and Scale: Participation Quizzes Exams Final Project Extra Credit Total A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF 94-100 90-93 87-89 84-86 80-83 77-79 74-76 70-73 67-69 64-66 60-63 Below 60 = 50 points = 100 points = 200 points = 150 points = up to 10 points = 500 points

Classroom and Communication Etiquette: No eating in class (beverages are allowed). Cell phones are to be silenced. Texting or emailing in class will result in a penalty to your final grade. You are welcome to use computers. However, be aware that I will regularly call on people using computers first, even if others have their hand raised. You have the right to turn in your assignments whenever you want. However, if they are turned in after the due time your grade for that assignment will go down 10% for every 24 hours past the due time that you do not turn in the assignment. Any request for an extension must be requested in person AND by e-mail. All requests must be made one month before the assignment is due. Think ahead. Look at what your other courses will be demanding, and plan accordingly. I try to make myself readily available to all students. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment to meet with me outside of my regular office hours. I do not have an office phone (or a real office for that matter). If you need to speak with me over the phone, send me an email with a phone number where I can reach you. I answer emails Mon. through Fri. from 9:00am to 5:00pm. It is possible that any email sent outside of those times will not be seen or answered until the following weekday.

Exploring Catholicism Schedule Spring 2014

Date Jan. 13 Topic Course Introduction: Nietzsches Parable of the Madman The Sacraments What is a Sacrament? Discussion Christian Initiation Discussion Baptism Michael Drumm, Infant Baptism and Adult Faith Clarahan, Baptizing a Child Liam Bergin, Anointed to Proclaim the Kingdom Marc Caron, The Missionary Nature of Confirmation Kavanagh,A Rite of Passage Sullivan, Tradition Essay ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ KTC, pp. 1-30 Assignment

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jan. 15 Jan. 17 Jan. 22 Jan. 24 Jan. 27

Jan. 29

Confirmation

Jan. 31 Feb. 3

Discussion Eucharist: The Ritual John Baldovin, A Many Faceted Jewel Rodica Stociou, What Everyone Needs to Know Mark Ravizza, Homily on Feast of Corpus Christi Chelsea King, Eucharist and Sacrifice John Coleman, Eucharist and Social Justice

Feb. 5

Eucharist: Theology

Feb. 7 Feb. 10

Discussion & Exam Review Sheet Reconciliation Baldovin, Why Go to Confession?

Stasiak, How Do You Go to Confession? Feb. 12 Feb. 14 Feb. 17 Feb. 19 Feb. 21 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feb. 24 Feb. 26 Feb. 28 Mar. 10 Mar. 12 Mar. 14 Mar. 17 Mar. 19 Mar. 21 Mar. 24 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 31 Anointing of the Sick Discussion Marriage Marriage Exam #1 Moral Living Responding to Love Conscience Discussion Sin Salvation Discussion Virtues: In General Virtues: Theological and Cardinal Discussion & Exam Review Sheet Applied Ethics (Topic Chosen by Students) Applied Ethics (Topic CHosen by Students) Discussion Catholic Social Teaching Massaro, Living Justice, Chapter 3 TBD TBD Keenan, The Habits of Being CCC #1803-1829 Keenan, pp. 43-65 Mt 25:31-46 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Keenan, Moral Wisdom pp. 9-26 Keenan, pp. 27-43 KTC, Chapter 12 Gaillardetz, A Daring Promise, Chapters 3-4 Larson-Miller, A Rich Tradition

Apr. 2 Apr. 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apr. 7 Apr. 9 Apr. 11 Apr. 14 Apr. 16 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 28 Apr. 30

Catholic Social Teaching Exam #2 The People of God Vatican II Vatican II Discussion & Final Project Rubrics Holy Orders Ordering Our Communion Ordering Our Communion Final Project Discussions Church as Sacrament Course Conclusion

Massaro, Chapter 5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ KTC, Chapters 7, 8 KTC, Chapters 10, 15, 20

Cooke, Chapter 20 KTC, Chapter 9 KTC, Chapters 13-14 Abstract Due Cooke, Chapter 6 KTC, Chapter 6

Exploring Catholicism II Final Project

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to (1) develop a question of personal interest regarding Catholicism, (2) answer that question using traditional Catholic sources, and (3) critically evaluate that answer. For your final project you may choose one of the following assignments. You must meet with me before February 14th to officially choose which assignment you will complete. The topic question must be chosen in a meeting with the professor before April 17th. You will present a short summary (250 word abstract) of your question, answer, and sources to your small group on April 25th.

Option #1: Term Paper Due Date: April 30, 4:00 pm Submitted electronically to turnbloo@bc.edu min = 2500 words max = 3000 words min of 2 Scripture passage min of 2 official Church documents min of 2 peer-reviewed sources

Length:

Sources:

Option #2: Oral Presentation and Defense Due Date: Length: During office hours (May. 1-2) min 15 minute presentation min 10 minutes defense min 1 page handout OR powerpoint presentation min of 2 Scripture passage min of 2 official Church documents min of 2 peer-reviewed sources

Sources: