111 Systematic Theology, Room 211

Sister Margaret Andrew, O.P.

2008-2009

E-mail: sma@jcchs.org,           Telephone: (205) 940-2400 ext. 401

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation for the students’ theological formation over the next four years by focusing on their intellectual understanding of the Catholic Faith as well as their spiritual and moral development. This course includes a study of St. Paul’s life and evangelical mission, the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith as expressed in the seven Sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed. Students are enriched by the spiritual heritage of the Church through a study of the Mass, the Rosary, and traditional forms of meditation using the Sacred Scriptures. Throughout the course, students are asked to consider the awesome, yet radical demands of the call of Christ: “Come, Follow me,” especially in the ways that they should live the virtue of chastity.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

1. Materials:
   1. Textbooks:

·        Introduction to Catholicism (Midwest Theological Forum, 2005)

·        Holy Bible ( translation: The New American Bible / edition: Fireside Catholic Publishing, 2006-2007)

·        Catechism of the Catholic Church

2. Pens: blue or black (for notes, etc.) & red (for correcting)
3. One 3-sectioned spiral notebook with pockets and a lot of college or wide ruled paper (to be used only for your religion class). You will probably need a second spiral notebook for second semester.

2. The Results of this Course hopefully will be:
   1. That you continue to learn about and appreciate the love God offers you through your participation in the Sacraments and that you continue to develop a relationship with Him;
   2. That you gain a greater understanding of the basic truths of Catholicism as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed;
   3. That you experience the rich spiritual heritage of the Christian tradition;
   4. That you understand how the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God defines man's role in creation through his knowledge, attitudes, and choices.

3. Quality of Presence:                                                                                                                                   To receive the full benefit of this course, the freshmen should take to heart the following rules of conduct:
   1. Students must be respectful of all persons within the classroom. There will be no talking while the teacher is speaking or any other class member is speaking.
   2. Unacceptable behavior (as listed in the student handbook) will not be tolerated and will result in the minimum punishment of a petty misconduct.
   3. Students are expected to be on time to class - seated and ready to start when the bell rings.
   4. Students must be prepared for class by bringing required material to class as instructed by the teacher. Failing to be properly prepared for class could result in receiving a petty misconduct.
   5. Students must be prepared for tests or quizzes, and complete all reading assignments or written work as scheduled and on time.

D.  Quality of Work:

      To be successful in life, plan to be responsible for your choices and give quality effort everyday.  In this class this effort means:

1.      Assignments (including essays and projects) should be complete and ready to be turned in at the beginning of class.

2.      Assignments (including essays and projects) may be turned in late for half credit.

3.      The number of days for turning in an assignment late due to illness will follow the handbook policy. 

4.      Students who have missed 3 or more assignments must participate in before-school study sessions. 

5.      To be accepted for credit, assignments must be done:

·        in blue or black ink (unless otherwise stated)

·        on white loose-leaf paper (no fringes) or white printer paper

·        handwritten legibly and neatly

·        with MLA heading in upper left corner

- name

- teacher

- subject

- date

For example:

                  John Smith

                  Sr. Margaret Andrew

                  Religion 111

                  August 25, 2008

·        if more than one page, staple pages neatly and write full name on all pages

6.      If a test is missed due to absence, you will complete an essay test after the number of days that have transpired according to the handbook policy.

7.      The dishonesty policy of this class applies to cheating or plagiarism in any form and will, as a minimum, result in a grade of zero on the assignment for all involved. 

8.      I am available upon request before school in room 211 for any outside help. Just e-mail me or leave a message at extension 401 to set up a time for help. 

  E.  Evaluation and Grading System:

       Your understanding and progress in this class will be evaluated through the following categories. 

      * Tests (required)                                                    100 points each

      * Memorization of prayers (required)                      25 points each        

      * Homework assignments                                        50 points each

      * Spiral notebook checks                                         50 points each

      * Essays (some required)                                        75 points each

      * Research enrichment projects                              75 points each

There are sufficient means for earning good grades. Since it is important for each of you to learn as much as possible so you will be the best that you can be for the greater glory and honor of God and the good of all of God’s people, there will be different ways that you can earn the required points assigned to the grading system for Freshman Religion.   

900 -1000 points = A

800 -  899 points = B

700 -  799 points = C

600 -  699 points = D

599 and below    = F

  Tests:

      1.         A mid-quarter and quarter test will be required, as is the 1^st semester examination, which counts 20% of the 1^st semester grade.

      2.         If I discern that students are not studying and learning as they should, more tests may be required of all students.

  Memorization of prayers:

      1.         There are some prayers in the Catholic Christian Tradition that have been prayed for centuries and have many graces associated with their recitation. It is important to know these prayers just as it is important to pray to Our Lord from our hearts in our own words.

      2.         Prayer memorization assignments will be made at various times throughout the year, with written and/or oral quizzes given to assess completion of the memorization.

  Homework assignments:

      1.         Traditional homework assignments will be given for those students who want to complete answers to questions to better study reading assignments.

      2.         Even if students are familiar with the information assigned to read and covered in class, they may choose to accumulate points for their grade this way.

  Spiral Notebook:

      1.         You are expected to keep all class notes, handouts, quizzes, and tests in your spiral notebook.

2.         Spiral notebooks must be brought to class each day.

3.         Unannounced or announced “checks” of your spiral notebook will be conducted periodically for neatness and accuracy if you choose to receive points for your notes and material provided for you in class.

Essays:

      1. Students often assimilate information more thoroughly as they are required to prepare written essays on certain assigned topics.

      2. Opportunities to write in-class essays will be assigned once or twice a quarter.

      3. Sometimes topics for these essays are assigned ahead of time and at other times they are meant as assessments of reading assignments and dutiful attention given to work completed during class time.

      4. Lists of essay topics will be distributed to freshmen so that they may write essays that are optional assignments to fulfill their point requirements for Freshman Religion.

Research Enrichment Projects:

      1. Students will have opportunities to learn about different topics important to a deeper understanding of the Catholic Christian Tradition through completion of optional projects that I will assign and incorporate into my class presentations.

      2. Students who choose to learn in this way will explain their research to their classmates in 5 to 10 minutes presentations as well as hand in their research/outlines to me.

      3. Students may choose from a list of subjects for the research enrichment projects that will be distributed to them so that they may fulfill their point requirements for Freshman Religion in part that way.

F.  1^st Semester Examination

     In a separate category from the grading system explained above, it is important to keep in mind that a comprehensive examination is given at the end of the first two quarters of school. The 1^st semester average is then determined in the following way:  

                        1^st quarter average              =  40% of the 1^st semester grade

                  2^nd quarter average             =  40% of the 1^st semester grade

                  1^st semester examination   =  20% of the 1^st semester grade

                  1^st semester average          = 100%           

Students and parents should never hesitate to contact me if any questions arise throughout the school year. If you know that there will be an absence from class, please e-mail me or leave me a voice mail message so that I can make the proper accommodations under the circumstances.  

The above procedures in this course are subject to change

in the event of extenuating circumstances.