SYLLABUS FOR CONTEMPORARY CATHOLOCISM: CHURCH, WORLD AND THEOLOGY

Term: Summer, 2000 (993) (June 5 - July 21, 2000)

Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Catholic Church has undergone a massive amount of change in the thirty years since the close of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). This course will examine the council in detail in order to understand what changes it began in Catholic worship, practice and thought. Particular emphasis will be given to the new styles of theology which have become prevalent in the Catholic church. Selected theologians will be read on a series of important theological issues such as God, Christ, church, ministry, etc.

RST 130

Eagan, Joseph F. Restoration and Renewal: The Church in the Third Millennium. (Kansas City: Sheed and Ward, 1995).

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as written in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fourth Edition. A copy is available from the Calumet College of St. Joseph bookstore. This text outlines how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

It is expected that all students attend all classes, especially given the "compacted" nature of the Summer Session. Should some emergency preclude one from attending a particular class, the student must notify the instructor in advance. Missing class more than two (2) times demonstrates a lack of commitment to the class; therefore, a student in that position will be dropped form class.

This class will, hopefully, follow a "seminar" format in which active student participation will be strongly encouraged. Given the nature of the class, there will be no written exams. However, each student will be asked to "lead" a class discussion on a given topic and provide the class with a topical outline. Moreover, each student will be asked to complete three written "reflection" assignments during the course of the term. Details concerning these assignments will be explained in the first class session. All assignments are due on the dates identified in the course outline below.

Students in this course will:

1. Come to an understanding the nature and mission of the Catholic Church in the world.
2. Come to an understanding of the complex issues and challenges that confront the Catholic Church in our contemporary society.
3. Demonstrate the ability to reflect critically upon ecclesiological themes as portrayed in theological literature and film and to synthesize those critical reflections into assigned essays.
4. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize salient ecclesiological topics from text selections and, through led discussions, assist fellow students in coming to understand various aspects of Catholic ecclesiology.

Prepare and lead a student discussion 25% of grade

Two brief reflection essays on film presentations 50% of grade

One brief reflection essay on a contemporary ecclesiological issue 25% of grade

A+: 95 A: 90 B+: 85 B: 80

C+: 75 C: 70 D+: 65 D: 60 F: Below 60

Written Assignments are to be typed and double spaced. The guidelines for the formulation of references will be explained in the course of the class.

Fully expected given the "seminar" nature of the class.

1. Each student will be asked to lead a class discussion on a given topic. To assist the discussion, the student will prepare and present to the class a brief outline of the text topic. Discussion assignments will be made on the first day of class.
2. Each student will complete two 3-5 page reflection essays on the following films: "The Mission," and "Romero." Note – the reflection essays must include: a synopsis of the drama, a statement/explanation of the major themes of the drama, and the integration of a critical ecclesiological reflection of a written author into the essay reflection. That is to say, the films will demonstrate ecclesiological issues; the (hopefully, contemporary) theologian will be referenced in order to arrive at some measure of resolution of the ecclesiological issues.
3. Each student will be also asked to complete one 2-3 page reflection essay on a an article from theological literature dealing with a contemporary ecclesiological issue such as Catholic morality (C. Curran), the significance of Vatican II (K. Rahner), the social teachings of the Church (R. McBrien). Other possible authors/topics can be negotiated with the instructor. The essay must accurately convey the author’s theme(s) and reflect upon their adequacy.

6/6/00 Introduction; Syllabus Review; Church, Catholicism and Models of Church

6/8/00 Vatican II – Overview (Ch. 2)

6/13/00 The Nature of Church (Ch. 3-5) *

6/15/00 The Mission of the Church (Ch. 6&8) *

6/20/00 "The Mission" - Church and Culture (essay due 6/27)

6/22/00 "Active" Spirituality and Social Responsibility (Ch. 7&9)*

6/27/00 Authority in the Church (Ch. 10-11) *

6/29/00 Catholic Morality (Ch. 17)*

7/6/00 Discussion of Articles – Contemporary Theologians (essay due this date)

7/11/00 "Romero" - Church and Liberation (essay due 7/18)

7/13/00 Liberation Theology (Ch. 18) *

7/18/00 Issues and Tensions (Ch. 19-20) *

7/20/00 Conclusion: The Church’s Future (Ch. 21)

* denotes student led discussion