Greetings Women of Church, The Lived Experience Summer 2008


This course offers students the opportunity to study and observe how individuals in various walks of life have chosen and succeeded in living out their faith commitments. This course will examine what it means to be a person of faith and a member of the Catholic Church in the twenty-first century. You will explore the basic beliefs of the Catholic faith and the history of the Catholic Church. Students will be encouraged to expand and strengthen their relationship and commitment to God through Christ in the context of the Spirit-filled community that is the Church. This course will invite students to learn how the Second Vatican Council and contemporary models of faith have shaped the Church. The students will be encouraged to make connections between the truths of faith and the day-to-day experiences of their own lives. They will be invited to take a closer look at their individual journeys of faith and their role in the Catholic Church today. They will be asked to consider how they might incorporate the Loretto Values into their life’s journey, so they can share the ways their faith helps them live out the Loretto Values day to day.

Loretto Values
Loretto encourages an approach to all of life that promotes mutuality, collaboration, and compassion and rejects relationships based on dominance or submission. We embrace the following values:

Faith: Experiencing the enduring love of God, we build hope,
foster community, and act in charity and service.

Community: We strive to build interdependent relationships, which
are affirming, inclusive, empowering, and compassionate.

Justice: We promote change in systems and in relationships that are
oppressive. We work to create systems in which people,
especially women, are treated fairly and impartially.

Respect: We are open to differences and believe in the potential of
each person. We promote the dignity of each person and
protect the sacredness of all creation.
Through the use of film and literature students will study and observe how individuals in various walks of life have chosen and succeeded in living out their faith commitments. The faith-filled lives of people like Jeanne Donovan, Dorothy Kazel, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, Pope John XXIII, Sr. Thea Bowman, and other people of faith from the past and the present will be studied and discussed.
Students in this course will be expected to learn about the
people, events, documents, and teachings, which are important to the knowledge, understanding and practice of the Catholic Christian faith. We will learn about the Summa Theologica and Thomas Aquinas’ five “proofs” for the existence of God. We will study the history papal elections and learn about popes from Pope Benedict XVI back to
Benedict XV. We will study the Second Vatican Council and explore how it influenced American Catholics in the 1960s and what the documents of Vatican II offer us today and for the future
Catholic Church.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1) To create an atmosphere which enables the student to understand and develop her own faith through personal reflection, prayer, and faith sharing.

2) To encourage the student to explore what it means to be a Catholic Christian in the Twenty-first century.

3) To invite the student to learn how the Church has been shaped by the Second Vatican Council and the contemporary models of faith.

4) To foster "literate Catholicism" by studying and acquiring knowledge of terms, dogmas, interpretations, laws, traditions and issues of the Catholic Church. While developing an understanding of the basic beliefs of Catholic Christianity as outlined in the Nicene Creed and the Gospel experience of Jesus.

5) To develop an awareness and response to the world and local issues of faith and the Church's views on them via the weekly reading of Catholic newspapers and other publications.

6) To assist the student in discovering models of Faith who can strengthen and guide her on her personal journey of faith. “To remember those who have gone before her, who first held up for her
the pearl of great price, the richness of Catholic thought and spirituality.”[Dreyer, Elizabeth] To recognize those who continue to mentor her on her journey.

7) To urge the student to explore and strengthen her personal faith responses to God and Church an to incorporate the Gospel Values and the Loretto Values into her daily living. "To re-imagine what
it means to be a full human being made in the image of God, and to live and speak this truth in her daily life."

8) To encourage the student to develop a personal prayer life by providing opportunities for shared prayer and discussions about the fruits of a personal spiritual prayer life. "To hold herself responsible to look for the holy in unexpected places and persons, and pledge herself to continued energetic dialogue..." about the issues of faith.

9) To build a small classroom community which will help the students see Christ in one another and feel God's presence around them.

10) To invite the student to walk with the models of faith around them and with one another as they "...seek to follow the way of Jesus, who inspires our hope and guides our concerns. The Spirit calls us to ...respect the human dignity of all, and inspires us to be faithful disciples..." [Dreyer, Elizabeth] who strive to live and act as Jesus did.

A Map for our journey:
June 9, 2008

I. Introduction: The Nitty-gritty -- requirements and expectations of the course and the teacher.
A. The texts and supplemental readings for this course will be:
1] The Church Our Story by Patricia Morrison Driedger
2] “The Great Divorce” by C. S. Lewis.
3] Various Internet articles on Jean Donovan, Dorothy
Kazel, Ita Ford, Maura Clark, Pope John Paul II and
Pope Benedict XVI

4] National Catholic Reporter http://www.natcath.org

and/or the St. Louis Review http://www.stlouisreview.com

II. Assignment of major and on-going projects and assignments for this class:
[A] First Quarter project -- God Project.

Date Assigned: ______________

Due Date: ___________________ during your class period. All projects are due on your class day. They will be
considered late and lowered one grade for each day they are late, if they are not turned in at the beginning of the class period they are due.

This work must be new to you and must not be used for
another course before for during this class.

[B] Mini Project: Interview Project

Date assigned: June 9, 2008
Date Due: _______________ at the beginning of your
class period.

[C] Second Quarter Project: Choose two of the following choices. One written project and one artistic project.
Assigned:June 9, 2008
Date Due: _______________________

Second Quarter Project Choices:
[1] IMAGES OF THE CHURCH

Use the images of the Church described in Chapter 2.2 and the illustrations you made for the Review worksheet on this material. Using any art medium of your choice, depict the image in a unique way. For example you many use your computer graphics, tile, ceramics, paint, pencil, photography, or any other medium or combination to depict each image of the Church. Read Chapter One of Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on The Church paragraphs 1-8: see
www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
Choose another image for the Church as a result of Vatican II. Finally create and describe/explain your image of the Church for the present and another image for the future image of Church.

Arrange your images in a circle using a wedge for each period except the future. Place the image for the future Church/or the ideal Church in the center of your circle.
Please be creative. Write a brief explanation for each symbol, explain what it says about what the Church is/was like.
Second Choice: Create a mandala reflecting the four marks of the
Church. A mandala is a circular image or design created as religious symbol of prayer. The circle represents the universe and the unity of all creation with God. Making a mandala can help a person see the patterns in her prayers and to recognize the patterns that God has for our lives. To make the mandala, draw a large circle on a piece of paper. Divide the circle into four parts and fill each part with images, which reflect one’s insight on one of the four marks of the Church. Continue adding new images throughout the semester. Write an explanation for each symbol in your mandala.

Third Choice: Begin a collection of personal photos that you believe
represent the diversity of the Church of the Church. Examples might include people of many races and cultures, teenagers participating in youth activities, an older person in private prayer, celebrations of liturgies, or parishioners in outreach to the poor. Assemble your photos in an album or as a collage to be shared with all.

www.members.optushome.com.au/standrew/catholic/#byzantine
This internet site explores the concept of diversity within the
Catholic Church’s unity through a chart showing how the
different rites within the Church are related; the chart includes
links to the web pages about each rite.

Fourth Choice: Read one of the principal documents of the Second
Vatican Council. Write a report covering the subject of the
document and the impact it has had on the world.
Vatican II Documents:
http://www.st.josef.at/council/search/
or http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V2ALL.HTM
or www.vatican.va/archive/histcouncils/iivaticancouncil/

[1] Sacrosanctum Concilium, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
12/4/1963.
[a] Also see p. 210 of The Church Our Story

[2] Inter Mirifica, Decree On the Media of Social Communication,
12/4/1963.


[3] Gaudium et Spes, Pastoral Constitution On the Church In The
Modern World 12/7/1965.
[a] Also see pp. 37, 84, 153, 219, and 224 of The Church Our
Story
[4] Dignitatis Humanae, Declaration On Religious Freedom,
12/7/1965.
[a] Also see pp. 84,102, 119, and 130 of The Church Our Story

[5] Gravissimum Educationis, Declaration On Christian Education,
10/28/1965.
[a] Also see p. 169-170 of The Church Our Story

[6] Unitatis Redintegratio, Decree on Ecumenism,11/21/1964.
[a] Also see pp. 17 & 84 of The Church Our Story

[7] Orientalium Ecclesiarum, Decree On the Catholic Churches of the
Eastern Rite, 11/21/1964.
[a] Also see p.p. 20-21 of The Church Our Story

[8] Nostra Aetate, Declaration On the Relation Of the Church to Non-
Christian Religions, 10/28/1965.
[a] Also see pp. 84,239, and 317 of The Church Our Story

[9] Apostolican Actuositatem, Decree On The Apostolate of Lay People,
11/18/1965.

[10] Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on The Church, November
21, 1964.
[a] Also see pp. 62, 83-84, 119, and 186 of The Church Our Story

[11] Dei Verbum, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation,
November 18, 1965.
[a] Also see p. 135 of The Church Our Story

[12] Ad Gentes, Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, December
7, 1965.

Fifth Choice: Examine the Timeline of Church History on pages 320-321
of the Catholic Handbook for faith. Write some musical lyrics (e.g. rap lyrics) that tell the history of the Church. Set it to music. Perform your final song before the class.

Sixth Choice: Write a report about what it means to be Catholic.
Include information you have gathered, cite your sources. Add you own reasons for being Catholic.
Some possible resources:
www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0498.asp
Kathy Coffey offers “Ten Reasons to Be Catholic” in this article from Catholic Update.
www.americancatholic.org/Newletters/YU/ay0499.asp
Youth Update tackles the question, “Being Catholic: What Does It Mean?” in this article by Brett C. Hoover, C.S.P.
www.uscatholic.org/2004/11/cov0411.htm
A wide variety of people from many different walks of life explain
why they chose to belong to the community of the Church in “We
Can Work It Out,” an article by Alice L. Camille and Joel Schorn in
U.S. Catholic.

This work must be new to you and must not be used for another course before for during this class.

[D] Guidelines for the News article Assignments.

You are to use: the National Catholic Reporter;
http://www.natcath.org
and/or the St. Louis Review
http://www.stlouisreview.com

Our Library will have a couple of hard copies of the newspapers at the Reserve Desk or you may check your Public Library for these newspapers or use the Internet. Many of you may be receiving one or both of these newspapers at home. Be sure to look for a specific date when you use the Library's copy of the newspaper. It is your responsibility to keep track of the dates you use. You may not use the same week's news more than once even if you are using the other newspaper.

You should always use a different week for each report and out of every four articles two should be from the National Catholic Reporter and two should be from the St. Louis Review (*the order does not matter). You should never have two articles from the same week or from the same newspaper for any one week.

The purpose of this assignment is to keep you current with Catholic views on current issues, so you should not be more than a week or two behind the current week for the articles that you are reporting on. They should be printed before you come to class, so they are ready to be turned in at the beginning of class the day they are due.

These article reports are based on three things:
(a) The basic information concerning the article:
[1] The name of the Newspaper used;
[2] the date of that newspaper; *This must be the publication date
which is always a Friday for both papers.
[3] the title of the article;
[4] the author (**note if no author is listed); and which article
article #1., etc.] is this for you.
[5] Your name,
[6] the name of the course,
[7] the date the assignment is due, and
[8] your class period must also appear on the top of this
assignment.
[9] each report must be numbered: the first will be #1 and so on.

Each of these sections will be worth 4 points. All together it will
be worth 33 points.

(b) A complete summary of the content of the article. If you
don't understand it, choose one you do understand. This should
be a minimum of one paragraph in length. * Points will be
deducted for poor writing, misspellings, incorrect information
and/or insufficient information. The summary should clearly state
what the issue is and what the author has to say about it. This
section is worth 33 points.

(c) Please follow the English guidelines that you have been
taught. A paragraph should consist of 3-6 well written sentences.
This is the minimum number of sentences to be used for each of the
next two sections -- the summary of the article and your
response/reaction to the information contained in the article.

(d) Your reaction/response to the article. Points will be
deducted for poor writing, misspellings, incorrect information
and/or insufficient information. You should understand what you
are talking about.
You should make your point of view clear and offer evidence to
support your opinions. Use “I” statements. It should be no less
than one well-written paragraph. This section is also worth 33
points.

Needless to say you should write in complete sentences and articulate your ideas clearly. It should be legible and neat. If you’re unable to write neatly, please type it. It must be printed before you come to class.
Please remember and apply William O'Malley's five steps to the process of thinking:
"1. Gather the data,
2. Sift the data to get the best,
3. Put the data into some kind of logical sequences so that you
can
4. Draw a conclusion, and
5. Put that conclusion out to be critiqued." (62, Converting the
Baptized)

Also remember O'Malley's description about opinions:
"You're opinion is only as good as the evidence that backs it up." (61)

**You may not use a report from any date earlier than the Week of August 18, 2006 for first quarter reports. All reports must be from the current quarter after this date. **This assignment is not accepted late.

Many of you may have access to the St. Louis Review and/or the National Catholic Reporter at home. Please ask your family if you are not sure.

[e] Weekly News Reports for First Quarter are due beginning : September 12/13, 2006.

Due at the beginning of your class period on the following dates:
[1st] September 12/13, 2006
[2nd] September 20/21, 2006
[3rd] September 28/29, 2006
[4th] October 2/3, 2006
Second Quarter News Reports will begin on October 23/24, 2006. Identify them by number and quarter.
1st: of 2nd Q: October 20/23, 2006.
2nd of 2nd Q: October 30/31, 2006
3rd of 2nd Q: November 13/14, 2006
4th of 2nd Q: November 20/21, 2006
This is the last report for the Semester.

**This assignment is not accepted late.
Please list the complete date: the month, the day, and the year. No report will be graded without the date of issue on the report and the name of the newspaper. THIS ASSIGNMENT IS NEVER
ACCEPTED LATE IF YOU ARE IN SCHOOL ON ITS DUE DATE. IT IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS. IF YOU HAVE PRINTER OR COMPUTER PROBLEMS USE PEN AND PAPER. COMPUTER PROBLEMS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE FOR LATE WORK.

Please read the following instructions very carefully. Ask Ms. D. Casias Noonan for clarification if you do not understand these instructions:

**Internet addresses are: http://www.natcath.org
{for National Catholic Reporter} and
http://www.stlouisreview.com
{for The St. Louis Review}.

Please read the following instructions very carefully. Ask Ms. Casias Noonan for clarification if you do not understand these instructions:

You may not use the news from the same week for more than one report. It will earn no more than 33 points out of 99 points because you will have failed to follow the directions for this ongoing assignment. If you turn in a report from NCR August 18, 2006 for your first report, you may not use the St. Louis Review’s August 18, 2006 for any other report because the news for August 18, 2006 has already been used once. It is your responsibility to " Keep a record of the dates you use for each
article" in your theology folder for this class. You may be asked to show the record of your articles to Ms. D. Casias Noonan.
The purpose of this assignment is to keep you current with Catholic views on current issues, so you should not be more than a week or two behind the current week for the articles that you are reporting on. This assignment is also designed to teach you the importance of following directions and being on time. Late assignments for this task are not accepted if you are present when the task is due.
III. The Course

August 15/16, 2006
A. Introduction to the Course and its requirements. The Nitty-
gritty–requirements, expectations, and projects for this course.
[1] First Day Questionnaire
[2] Distribution of handouts: Syllabus and other worksheets for
the course.
[3] Assignments of major and on-going projects and
assignments for the coming week.
[4] Discussion of the Syllabus, the texts, handouts, and Internet
resources to be used for this course.

[5] We will begin the course with eight essays. During the next
eight classes we will begin each class by discussing one
essay each day. The Essay due dates are as follows:
#1: August 17/18, 2006; #2: August 21/22, 2006;
#3: August 23/24, 2006; #4 August 28/29, 2006;
#5: August 30/31, 2006; #6: September 1/5 2006;
#7: September 6/7, 2006; & #8 September 8/11, 2006.

August 17/18 -- August 23/25, 2006

B. We will begin each of the next eight classes by discussing your
essays at the beginning of class.

[1] First Essay On God August 17/18, 2006
a] Discuss the essay.
b] We will watch the pilot episode of Joan of Arcadia
c] You should read pp. 6-33, this is the forward and
chapter one of The Church Our Story, text. Answer
the worksheet of questions that goes with this
chapter. We will discuss this over the next couple of
classes. This work should be printed out or neatly
written using dark ink and ready to hand in when
you get to class.

[2] Second Essay on Faith August 21/22, 2006
a] Discuss the essay.
b] View the section called "Faith" from John Paul II,
The Millennial Pope. Both of these deal with ideas
about God and faith.

[3] Third Essay : Community August 23/24, 2006
a] Discuss the essay.
b] We will finish our discussion of Chapter One and
review for the test, which will be next week. The
worksheet for Chapter One Questions will be
collected the day of the test.

August 25, 2006 Hey Day Celebration

August 28/29, 2006---August 31/Sept. 1, 2006

[4] Fourth Essay: Limits and Boundaries August 28/29, 2006
a] Discuss the essay.
b] Test on Chapter One.

c] Begin to view “Reflections on Vatican II”
We will begin learning about the Second Vatican
Council and the changes it brought to the Church.
[1] Terms to know from the film:

Cardinal Ottaviani Aggiornamento Dialogue
Conservative Progressive Primacy
Cardinal Bea Vernacular Ecumenical
Ecumenism Cardinal Arnize Pope Pius XII
Traditional Catholic Enculturation Pope John XXIII
Pope Paul VI Pope John Paul II Karol Wojtyla
Archbishop Lefebvre Sr. Mary Luke Tobin Rosemary Goldie
Catonsville Nine “Separated Brethren” Hierarchy
John Courtney Murray Cardinal Hlond Collegiality

[2] You are responsible for taking notes on
the film. Be sure to include the
information concerning the terms listed
above in your notes. Ask questions in class
if you do not understand the terms.
Reminders: Interview mini-project is due on
September 14/15, 2006

[5] Fifth Essay: Nurturing Relationships August 30/312006;
a] Discuss the essay.
b] Continue to view “Reflections on Vatican II”
c] Read pp. 40, 62, 83-85,119-120,135, 137, 153, 161,
186, 204, 210, 219, 269-271, and 286-288 of The
Church Our Story.
d] There will be a test over this material the class
following the end of the film.

September 1/5, 2006--- September 8/11, 2006
[6] Six Essay: One Question for God September 1/5 2006;
a] Discuss the essay immediately following the test on
Reflections on Vatican II and the text material on
Vatican II.
b] If time permits, we will begin viewing the film on
Sr. Thea Bowman after our discussion of essay six.
There will be a worksheet for the films on Sr. Thea
and Mother Teresa.
c.] If you finish your test before your classmates
begin reading pp.36-57 in The Church Our Story.
Take notes and write any questions which the
chapter raises for you. Do as much as you can.
Keep your notes in your notebook for theology so
you can be prepared to discuss this during a
future class.
Labor Day: September 4: No Classes

[7] Seventh Essay: Mentors September 6/7, 2006;
a] Discuss the essay.
b] Continue to viewing the film on Sr. Thea Bowman
c] If time permits we will begin viewing the film on
Mother Teresa.

[8] Eighth Essay: Issues of Faith September 8/11, 2006
a] Discuss the essay.
b] We will continue viewing the film on Mother
Teresa.
c] [To learn more about Mother Teresa see Words to
Love By found:
www.ewtn.com/motherteresa/words.htm

e] Expect a test on this material the class after we
finish discussing the film.

First News Report is due September 12/13, 2006. We will discuss this in class on the due date. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.


[9] Interviews are due September 14/15, 2006.
a] We will discuss the Interviews after the test
take the test on Sr. Thea Bowman, Mother Teresa.
Mid-Quarter is around September 18, 2006
Progress Reports will be sent if needed at this time.
Reminder: God Project is due: September 18/19, 2006.

Second News Report is due September 20/21, 2006. We will discuss this in class on the due date. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.

September 18/19—25/26, 2006
C. God Project is due September 18/19, 2006
[1] God Projects will be discussed individually on
September 18/19, 2006 while the class finish reading
Chapter Two of The Church Our Story pp. 36-57, be
ready to discuss the key points of this section of chapter
2.1 and if you finish this, begin chapter 2.2 on pp.59-87
which discusses the various images of the Church through history. I will provide you with a worksheet to guide this section. Please ask for the worksheet when you are ready for it.
Have a wonderful Junior Retreat. You’ll leave after classes on September 25th and will be gone all day on Sept. 26, 2006. Remind your teachers, especially in your mixed level classes that you will not be in class on Sept. 26th – it is a “B” Day.
E. Third News Report is due September 28/29, 2006. We will discuss this in class on the due date. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.
September 27/28—29/ Oct.2, 2006
F. Discuss Chapter Two and review for a test on this chapter.
Test will be the next class.
Fourth News Report is due October 2/3, 2006. We will discuss this in class on the due date. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.

October 3 /4 –9/10, 2006
G. We will begin our study of the hierarchy, the Popes from
Benedict XV to Benedict XVI, the process of electing a
pope.
[1] Review your notes on the following sections of The
Church Our Story, Chapter 2.1 pp. 37-57 take notes on
the magisterium, hierarchy, and all the key points of this
chapter.

[a] Notes will be given on the hierarchy, the history
of the papal elections, a survey of the popes from
World War I through the present and a study of
the process used for electing a pope.

[b] Power point presentations on the hierarchy, the
history of the papal elections and how they have
changed over the centuries and the rules for the
election of the next pope.

[c] Current information on the College of Cardinals.

[d] Trackstar assignment on Pope Benedict XVI,
Pope John Paul II, and the rules of Conclave.
See The Trackstar Site:
http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrackMembersFrames.o

For Church, the Lived Experience. The Trackstar site # 126707

You may also reach this site by going to the Nerinx Hall H.S. home page: http://www.nerinxhs.org/

From there go to Faculty, the to Teacher Web Pages, click on "C" for Casias Noonan. Click on Deborah Casias Noonan and this will take you to my webpage:
http://www.nerinxhs.org/teacher/Casias.html

Next go to Web Assignments, this will be located on the left side of the page. or scroll to the bottom of the page to the Web Assignment link: Click on "What happens when a pope is chosen?"

[e] Read and take notes on the various pages in The
Church Our Story, which provide specific
information about the popes we are studying:
1. Pope: pp. 19, 26, 30-31, 49,73-74, 76, 83,
283-284, and 322-324.
2. Pope Pius XI : p. 223
3. Pope Pius XII: pp. 251 & 255
4. Pope John XXIII: pp. 40, 61, 83, & 224
5. Pope Paul VI: pp. 171, 225, 272, & 273
6. Pope John Paul II: pp. 14,129, 177, 219, 222,
225-228, 239, 243, 247-248, 250-251.

[2] We will finish the material on popes, papal elections,
and hierarchy. A test will be given the class after we
finish this material.

October 11/12, 2006
H. After the test on Popes and Papal Elections. Work to finish your questions on the Great Divorce. These will be due on Oct. 24/25, 2006.

October 13/17 – 19, 2006
I. We will begin reading Chapter 3.1 of The Church Our
Story, pp. 90-105 The Church is the People of God.

First Quarter ends Friday, October 13, 2006
Faculty workday –Oct. 16, 2006 – No Classes

Beginning of Second Quarter : Oct. 17, 2006
All School Testing Day: October 18, 2006

First News Report for Second Quarter is due October 20/23, 2006. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.

October 20/23, 2006
J. View an episode of Joan of Arcadia and write a reflection
about what you learned about good and evil and the fact that
every decision we make has consequences. Use examples from
the episode to illustrate your points.
Reminder: The Second Quarter Projects will be due as follows: The Written project is due November 7/8, 2006 and the Artistic project is due November 28/29, 2006.

October 24/25 – 26/27, 2006
K. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis will be discussed. Your guide
worksheet on The Great Divorce should be completed when
you enter class on October 24/25, 2006. We will discuss
the material and have a test on it the class after we finish our
discussion.

L. Test on the Great Divorce will be in open notes and book in class on Oct. 26/27, 2006. After your test, begin reading Chapter 3.2 of The Church Our Story, pp. 107-122 The Church is the People of God.

Second News Report for Second Quarter is due October 30/31, 2006. We will discuss this in class on the due date. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.



October30/31—November 1/6, 2006
M. We will discuss chapters 3.1 and 3.2. The test will be the class after we finish the discussion. After the test begin reading Chapter 4.1, pp. 126-149.

Reminder: The written second quarter project will be due on November 7/8, 2006. The artistic second quarter project will be due on November 28/29, 2006.

November 7/8 –13/14, 2006
N. Chapter 4.1, pp. 126-149, Creeds, Laws, Dogmas, and Doctrines.
Third News Report for Second Quarter is due November 13/14, 2006. We will discuss this in class on the due date. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.

November 15/16 –20/27, 2006
O. View “Choices of the Heart” and “Roses in December” , read
the articles and complete the worksheets that go with the
films.
Fourth News Report for Second Quarter is due November 20/21, 2006. Remember that this assignment is not accepted late.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
No classes November 22-24, 2006.
November 28/29—Dec. 6/7/, 2006
P. The artistic second quarter project will be due on November 28/29, 2006. Students will present their projects in class.
Nov.30/Dec,1 –Dec. 6/7, 2006

Q. We will cover Chapter 8 “The Church is” pp. 294-312.

P. Test on Chapter 8 will be : _________

December 8/11-13/14, 2006

R. Students will pick the final topic of the quarter.

S. Review for the Exam. December 15, 2006 All Classes meet.

T. Final Exams : Dec. 18, 19, or 20, 2006 Theology Exam will be:
_________________________________________________


** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATES WILL BE ADJUSTED AS NEEDED DURING THE SEMESTER BASED ON THE CHANGES IN THE SCHEDULES AND THE NEEDS OF EACH CLASS.


IV. Expectations for students in this course:

The format of this course will be a combination of discussion, projects, reflections, films, lecture, group work, and experiential activities.

[A]. "A Nerinx Hall student shows respect for herself, teachers, fellow students and school property when she:
[1] Arrives on time to class (**You will receive the number of minutes
for the amount of minutes you are in class as your attendance
grade. So if we meet for 120 minutes, you will receive 120 points
if you are present for the entire class period.) You will not receive
any points for classes missed for any reason. In the case of
extended illness documented by front office or counseling
department, an academic field trip, funeral of immediate family no
points will be added or deducted. **Please come to class late if
you oversleep or have transportation problems. Your presence is
needed and expected—it is always better that you come for as
much of the class as possible, rather than miss the entire period.

[2] You are expected to present for all classes. Please schedule
doctor appointments and other activities for times after class.
We do not have access to Resource Center help for the purpose of
making-up missed tests or work. If you are going to be late or
have an unavoidable absence, please call the school and inform
us. Then bring a written note from your parents.

[3] Is properly attired and well groomed throughout the day. You are
expected to be in neat casual attire when you enter class and this
includes sweaters or sweatshirts used to keep you warm when the
room gets cool. *This room is often cool.

[4] Have all necessary materials on arrival to class. (The Church Our
Story text, The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, dark ink pen, and
number two pencils for tests, notepaper and loose-leaf paper for
assignments. Homework and projects when they are due.)

[5] Presents neatly prepared well-written assignments. Typed and
printed or written and ready before you come to class so it can
be turned in on time.

[6] Demonstrates a thorough reading of assignments.
[7] Exhibits proper classroom posture --(*no heads on desks...)
[8] Participates as both an active listener and an articulate speaker.
[9] Leaves the area she has occupied in the same if not better
condition than she found it.
[10] Moves quietly through the hallways, speaking in whispers if
classes are in session.
[11] Recognizes different opinions and responds respectfully.
[12] Communicates with others in a courteous manner.
[13] Behaves in a courteous, attentive manner during all school
events (liturgies, etc.)
[14] Models responsible behavior when representing her school off
campus."
[15] Does not leave a mess in any part of the building during class
break time.

B. Participate in class by
(1) Being present. Be present physically, mentally, and
spiritually. Please see the student handbook regarding
absences pp. 19-23.
[a] You are responsible to be informed of the material covered
and the assignments made during your absence. It is your
responsibility to take any test given upon your return to
school, as well as to consult with teachers about any tests
missed. You are expected to be informed about and
prepared with assignments due in each class. (* In this class
you will choose a Study Buddy and be one for someone
else in class. The Study Buddy's job is to pass on the
specific information about what happened her specific class
to her partner when she has been absent. She is also
responsible for picking up handouts for her Study Buddy if
she was absent. She is the person you could ask to turn in
your assignment if you know in advance that you will be
absent. Please let Ms. Casias Noonan know if your Study
Buddy does not pass on information to you when you take
time to request it.)

[b] **Please bring the required written note from your
parent/guardian for any absence. Please if you will be late
or absent. The written note should be brought with you the
day you return. Turn it in to the front office and show Ms.
Casias Noonan your admit slip.

[c] Consequences for excessive absences -- At Nerinx Hall
attendance is a factor in final academic evaluation. If you
have accumulated more than three absences during one
quarter of any class, your grade may be reduced to a C-. All
excessive absences will be reviewed by the Administration.
(*You will receive and/or loose points for each minute you are
in or absent from class. This is placed in the Attendance
grade, which is 2.5% of your total quarter grade.)

[d] Discuss your class schedule with your parents, if they are
making regular/expected doctor or dentist appointments for
you so you do not always miss the same class. (* You are in
class for 90 minutes, please make your appointments for
time after class is over.) You will be given points for any time
you are physically present in the class, so if can come to any
part of the class, you should do so, late is better, than
completely absent. When you are truly sick, take care of
yourself. I have been giving attendance points for about five
years and have found that if you are doing well in the class
missing one class will not ruin your overall average. Excessive
absences will lower your grade and I feel that this point
system is a visible and fair way to determine how much your
grade is lowered as a result of absences. Please do not plan a
vacation in the middle of this class.

[e] Please note that the handbook states that no make-up
privileges will be given for non-family trips taken outside of
the school's scheduled holidays.

C. Coming prepared with text, a charged computer, dark ink pen, whiteout, paper, religion folder and completed assignments (*both reading and written assignments). **It is essential that you make sure that your work is ready to hand in when you come to class. If you experience computer difficulty you must write out your assignment so it ready to be turned in on time. Points will be deducted for work that was assigned to be typed if it is written instead, but it is better have it written than not having the assignment. Computer trouble is not an acceptable excuse for work being missing or late. It is your responsibility to have a hard copy of your work in hand when you come to class. As we know about the computer age that we are in, you cannot always count on the Internet or email to receive you work or allow you access to your work without problems. For this reason, you should always have your work printed the day before it is due, to allow for Murphy's Law to intervene and be corrected. Some assignments like news reports will never be accepted late. Others like projects will loose an entire grade step for each day that it is late. Please bring your own supplies. It is okay to occasionally borrow from a classmate, but don't put someone on the spot and constantly expect others to provide you with paper, pen, or white out. You must have your own text and it must be with you during the class, unless you are specifically told you will not need it.

D. Active participation in class discussions and activities. Slouching,
sleeping, writing notes that have nothing to do with the subject at
hand, if you have a laptop computer—working on non-theology
assignments during class, emailing, sending or receiving I-
messages, or creating a distraction with you’re your laptop during
class is unacceptable behavior and carrying on side conversations
are not considered acceptable or appropriate behavior during
class. Please be respectful of all present at all times. If you are
bored, then contribute something to enliven and enrich the class.
If you disagree with something being presented or stated share
your views, but listen first so you are clear about what you heard
and what you think about the topic. Smile and share your insights,
with, and gifts. We will all be blessed by such contributions.

E. Attentive during films and class presentations sleeping during
class is like being absent. Your body language should indicate
that you are paying attention and are engaged in the class activity.
There are several films shown during this course. Please note that
you may not take a film out of school, so try not to be absent on
the days we view the film. It is your responsibility to arrange your
time to view the missed film in the resource center within two
days after your absence. Note that you must come by and see Ms.
Casias Noonan if the film is still being used in class.
Get the assignments from your study buddy. This should be
done prior to the next class for this course. Class presentations
are much more difficult to make up. You should try to speak with
the student who presented and get class notes from your study
buddy.

F. Pass the objective tests and quizzes. This course is graded. There
is material presented which you will be held responsible for on
tests and quizzes. You are expected to be present on the day of
the test/quiz. If you are absent you may be given an essay
test/quiz, even if the class had a multiple choice type test. Bonus
questions are not available to anyone not taking the test in class.

The school policy states that tests/quizzes must be made up within:
absent one day, make up the test(s) on the day of return; absent
two days, make up test by the second day of your return; absent
three days, make up the test by the third day of your return,
regardless of the Block Day your class is on. Please be courteous
and make arrangements to TAKE YOUR TEST BEFORE your next CLASS or on the DAY YOU RETURN. See me on the day you return, especially if you have been absent more than one day.

G. Complete class projects (there will be one major project each
quarter plus a variety other mini-projects throughout the semester )
on time.

H. Keep all handouts, assignments and returned tests in your religion
folder. You are required to have a religion folder to keep all of
your religion work together in one place. This helps to prevent lost
assignments. Do not throw away or recycle the handouts ,
completed tasks waiting to be turned in and returned graded
assignments until your have received your report cards. If you find
an error you must have the work so it can be checked and corrected
if necessary. This cannot be accomplished without access to the
original work. Remember that all tests must be returned to Ms.
Casias Noonan after you have seen them.

I. Students are expected to follow the rules and regulations of Nerinx
Hall H.S. as they are stated in the Parent/Student Handbook.
Students are expected to read their handbook and to become aware
of the Nerinx Hall policies. Help Keep the School Clean and
Presentable. If you see something that needs attention, take care of
it if you can, otherwise report it to me or someone in the front
office. This is our school and we must take good care of it.

*Please give special attention to the following sections in your
handbook since they note specific expectations and requirements,
which will apply to this religion course.
1. Nerinx Hall Goals for Each Student pp.6-8
2. Expectations for all written work pp.13-14
(a) Note that points #1-12 apply to all work in this course.
3. A call to think critically -p.14
4. Grading
(a) The grading scales --p.15
* Please take time to think about the quality of your work and remember that according to the grading scale of Nerinx [see p. 15 of the Student Handbook]

A = superior achievement
B = above average achievement
C = satisfactory achievement
D = unsatisfactory achievement
F = failure to achieve credit

In this course, when a letter grade is given instead of a percentage grade it will become the following percentage in the CSL grading program:

(a) A+ = 98 % B+ =90 % C+ = 83 % D+ = 76 F+= 69 %
A = 95% B =87 % C = 80 % D = 73 F =
A- = 93 % B- = 85 % C- = 78 % D- = 70 % F- = 0%

(b) Examinations, Semester Averages, Incomplete grades, and
Progress Reports --p.15

(c) The grading system for this course will be calculated in the
following manner: (** We will discuss this scale as a class and
student input will be taken into consideration at the beginning
of the semester. Changes will be made in this scale if more
creative methods are presented.)
1. Tests and Quizzes = 45% of your total grade.
** Note that tests and quizzes are based on specific objective
material, such as definitions and concepts, which are
presented in class and through reading assignments, films,
lectures, and discussions.

2. Quarter Project = 20.5% of your total grade.

[a] All eight of the essays given at the beginning of the course
will be placed in the project category. Each essay will be
worth 25 points (100% = 25 out of 25)

[b] The mini-interview will be placed in this category.

[c] Your major Quarter Projects : God Project for first quarter and the two Second Quarter Church Projects will be in this category.
The project is graded with a letter grade, which reflects the student's understanding and presentation of material used for the project.

*** The project is assigned on the first day of class to give you the maximum amount of time to complete the project. Please look at the due dates and discuss any concerns that you have with Ms. Casias Noonan during the first week of the semester. The grade will drop one full letter grade for each day the project is late.

3. Class work = 16% of your total grade.

4. Homework = 16% of our total grade.

****Class work and Homework will be a combination of graded and pass/fail exercises, discussions, reflections, and study questions which provide opportunities for student to process, share, and discover how they view various aspects of faith and religion. The graded assignments will deal with specific information, which has been presented to help the student understand material she will be tested on.


5. Attendance = 2.5 % of your total grade. The total number of
class minutes will be entered for each day that the class meets.
Your absences = zero and the tardy minutes will be deducted
from the 90 minutes scheduled for class. (This will be adjusted
to reflect schedule changes. These are points that can only be
earned by your physical presence no matter what the reason is
for your absence. The only exceptions to this policy will be an
extended illness, documented by a doctor and the
Administration; an funeral for immediate family; or an
academic field trip. The preceding exceptions will not add nor
deduct points for attendance. You are encouraged to come to
class late if necessary, rather than choosing to miss the entire
class.
J. Code of Academic Honesty -- p.17

[1] Please read this section carefully.
" Personal integrity is essential to both self-esteem and a vision
of Christian womanhood. For this reason, academic honesty is
essential at Nerinx Hall. Students learn a sense of personal
discipline, which prohibits the following behavior:

Cheating: submitting someone else's work in class assignments,
homework, papers, tests, [quizzes,] examinations as your own, or
using unauthorized information on a test [quiz] or an
examination.

Plagiarism: the copying or rewording of phrases, sentences, or
ideas from a book, magazine, or anything else without indicating
the sources you have used." Please read the rest of this section in
the handbook.

[2] Please note that it is my policy that all work is to be completed
alone (*students must complete this by herself, not in groups)
unless the assignment is specifically assigned as "group work".
The tasks given will be to help you personally demonstrate your
understanding of the material, if you don't do it yourself you
will not have that experience.

[3] A grade of zero (0%) will be given for any assignment/test etc.
where "cheating" is involved. This grade will be given to all
parties involved.

[4] Any student who co-operates (*actively or passively) and /or
knowingly allows another student to use her work (homework,
class work, papers, projects, test or quiz answers) will also
receive a grade of zero (0%) on the work copied.

K. Behavioral Expectations: (*refer to the student handbook.) Please
read this carefully and know what the consequences are for
infractions in the areas noted.
L. If you need to see me in the morning before classes
please make an appointment so that we will agree upon a time
and place to meet. I will have a homeroom in S4 this year. Once
I have taken care of any preparation for the day business I will
probably go to S4. If you need me please arrange to see me the
day. You can do this by leaving a note in the Front Office or
Resource Center to be placed in my mailbox in the Faculty Room .
If you need to meet with me at length or please be courteous and
make an appointment a day in advance so you can get what you
need. If you need to leave me a note, write my name and your
name on it. There is also a note pad on the door to S4. I prefer
that you leave notes and/or assignments in my mailbox, rather than
on my desk. In order to leave something in my mailbox, have my
name and you name on the assignment and ask the person in the
Resource Center to deliver it to my mailbox. Thank you.
If this is a sudden need look for me in S4, Faculty Lounge or copy
room. If you have a concern about an assignment which is due
please see me first thing in the morning, look for me in S4 or the
Faculty Room before classes begin do not wait until the end of
the day. Please never leave work on the classroom desk or my
office desk. Deliver it to me personally, or via the Resource
Center to my mailbox.