CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

THEOLOGY 3

This one semester course examines the Catholic Social Tradition as a vital response to the contemplative life of the Church. It will posit a Christian anthropology in which self reflection is of prime importance, and illustrate the connections between our own innate poverty, community, and ministry to others. Students will consider historical movements for social justice in an effort to find their own place in the larger Catholic tradition of a faith that does justice in a current context. Students will learn and practice the Catholic methodology of critically analyzing the social world in which they inhabit, making moral evaluations based upon the resources of the Catholic Tradition, and discerning concrete steps of action to work towards a more just and peaceful world. The overarching questions will be: How are Catholics called to respond to work for justice and peace in our world today? And by extension: How am I called to do this? We will look at the lives of men and women who fought for justice in our contemporary context, highlight organizations that work with or for the Catholic Church in fighting for justice, and use many contemplative, active, and reflective prayer activities to focus on our role as pioneers for justice in our own community. “I can change the world with my own two hands...make a better place...with my own two hands...make a kinder place...oh with my...oh with my own two hands” - Ben Harper

+ What are the sources and components to Catholic Social Ethical tradition?

+ What does the Church teach with regard to various modern political and economic systems?

+ What does the Church have to say about modern systems of oppression?

+ Why is the question of dignity so important?

+ What is social injustice? What is my role in it and how does it effect me as an individual?

+ How can I make a difference by working for peace and justice?

+ What does the Catholic Church believe about ________ ?

+ Do my actions really affect others?

+ Who are and why should I care about the poor and marginalized?

+ Why do I have to be conscious about my consumption in general?

+ Why do I have to be conscious about the products I buy in specific?

+ There are so many problems in society, is there a way I can make a difference?

+ What are our responsibilities to one another and what does that looked like lived out?

+ What does it mean to be an individual with communal responsibilities?

+ Why is it important for me to think critically about these social issues?

ESSENTIAL

QUESTIONS

Additional readings such as: scholarly articles,

encyclicals, pastoral letters,

apostolic exhortations,

and case studies.

Each student ought to possess the following apps:

1. Kindle Free

2. Showbie Free

3. Notability $7.99

4. Socrative Student Free

5. Shadow Puppet Free

6. Edmodo Free

7. Steller $1.99

8. Pages $9.99

9. Keynote $9.99

10. Remind Free

11. Laudate Free

12. iPhoto (photo editing) Free

13. iMovie (video editing) $4.99

14. Garageband $4.99

15. Numbers (spreadsheet) $9.99

TOOLS FOR THE

JOURNEY

16. iBooks (textbooks) Free

17. Dropbox (workflow) Free

18. GoogleDrive (workflow) Free

19. GoogleDocs (documents) Free

20. GoogleSheets Free

21. Google (browser) Free

22. Educreations (whiteboard) Free

23. Mindjet (reference) Free

24. Quizlet (review) Free

25. HaikuDeck (presentation) Free

26. Zaption Free

27. Doodle Buddy Free

28. Notability $4.99

29. Literary Analysis Guide $2.99

Required Materials for Class

1. 2 Subject Notebook (Used for Consecutive Semesters) 2. Writing Utensil(s) 3. iPad

1. Unit Tests: For each major unit, students will be assessed with exams consisting of multiple choice, true false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions. 2. Participation: The bulk of this semester will be discussion based. Students will lose points for distracting behavior (i.e. sleeping, talking out of turn, touching others, using technology inappropriately, doing outside class work, etc.) 3. Poster for Social Awareness: Toward the end of the semester, students, in pairs, will design a poster to bring awareness to a particular social issue. Students will prepare a short “facts sheet” containing statistics, quotations from major encyclicals and pastoral letters, and information regarding why people should care. 4. Novel Discussion Group Project: Students in groups of 2 to 3 will be responsible for leading the class in discussion over assigned sections of the novel, Enrique’s Journey. 5. Quizzes: Due to the quantity of reading material to be addressed, reading

quizzes will frequently follow nightly readings. 6. Reflection Essays: Students will be expected to reflect on their own participation in systems of social injustice.

TEST/QUIZ TAKING If you are taking a quiz/test or doing any other assignment that is intended to be complete on your own, I expect you to do so honestly.

:: During a quiz or text you should :: (1) Silently place everything on the floor so that neither you or your neighbor can see your notes, study guides, etc. (2) You must refrain from talking or whispering (3) Keep your eyes on your own paper/tablet at all times (4) Keep your work completely covered and turn it over upon completion (5) Once you finished, place your writing utensils/ipad under your desk until all quizzes and tests have been collected.

If you have to leave the class before or after taking a quiz or test, please leave your iPad on my desk until you return.

ABSENT FROM SCHOOL If you are absent from school, I expect each of you to inform me upon your return as to why you missed class. It is your responsibility to ask the teacher either before you leave on a trip or as soon as you return to school if there are any missed assignments/quizzes/tests that need to be made up. I will not hunt you down.

If you missed an assignment, quiz, or test. Then you will receive a zero unless you: (1) ask me the day you return what you missed while you were absent or (2) fail to make up the work within two days of being absent.

All major assignments will be found on my website (mrvalponi.weebly.com) and in the pocket folders on the bulletin board near the door in room 100. Should you need a handout, worksheet, or rubric upon your return to class, you can find all of those in the folder marked with your class period.

I will use my discretion on a case-by-case basis for arranging due dates for make- up work. Any make-up work turned in after these arranged due dates will be treated like any other late assignment.

GRADING POLICY The student’s grade will be evaluated based on a point system. The total amount of points that the student earns will be divided by the total amount of possible points given by the teacher. For example, if a student accumulates 920 points and the total amount of points given by the teacher is 1000 points, then he will receive a 92% / B+.

LATE WORK Late work will only be accepted up to ONE DAY after the initial deadline and up to a 10% deduction will be added for all late assignments. Unless you have an excused ab-sence all work that is not turned in after one day of being assigned will not be accepted and result in a zero.

NO NAME All work turned-in without a name receives a “0” for a smaller homework as-signments and points off for larger assignments.

PAPERS AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS All writing assignments must be completed and turned in via turnitin.com unless oth-erwise noted. Essays, reflections, and papers submitted in any other format will not be accepted. You must do (and take credit for) your own work. I will give you a zero, or a failing grade, for that particular assignment if this happens. Don’t even think about pla-giarizing any one else’s work – this is easier to spot than you might think! This course adheres to the policies and guidelines stated in the student handbook. Serious cases will be referred to the Principal and Dean of Students.

ASSIGNMENT COMMUNICATION Students will be expected to turn-in assignments as directed by the teacher. All papers must be turned-in through Turnitin.com. In addition to using PlusPortals to post regular grade updates I will use my class website to regularly post assignments and discussions: mrvalponi.weebly.com

Students are expected to regularly check mrvalponi.weebly.com for all assignments and class news.

DRESS CODE I expect each of you to come dressed in accordance with the Rita dress code as reflected in the student handbook.1st period will be given a pink slip for any dress code violation, and all other periods will be sent to the dean’s office. JUGS AND BLUE SLIPS If your are given a JUG then you will serve it after school. If you are serving a JUG or Blue Slip and feel that you were in the wrong, then I expect each of you to discuss or refute the JUG either after class or after school. Please do not dispute with me during class, even I was mistaken or if you felt the punishment was unfair and thus unwarranted. Also, your other brothers in class need not be a part of this conversation. FOOD, DRINK, & RESTROOM Please make sure to get a drink of water or use the bathroom before or after class. Use of these amenities will not be allowed during class. I expect you to keep your food and drink outside the classroom. If food or drink found on your desk or in the act of being consumed I will politely ask you to toss it. Please don’t turn me into a TSA agent. USE OF IPAD It begins with having respect. Until deemed acceptable, students will only be allowed to use their iPads when instructed. The playing of games, movies, and music of any sort during class while teacher is giving instruction is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Failure to abide by this rule will result in confiscation of the iPad by the teacher and a $10 fine from the Office of Dean of Men. YOU are NOT allowed to record any classroom activity (photos/videos) in the classroom with your iPad unless the teacher has given you permission. Failure to abide by this rule will also result in confiscation of the iPad by the teacher and a $10 fine from the Office of Dean of Men. Photographs of me or any other student without their permission is an invasion of privacy and really just not cool...

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

...demonstrate a habit of reflection on experience, especially by making connections between

scripture, theological principles, and the student’s life experience.

...develop an understanding for the biblical roots for themes of Justice and community.

...comfortably articulate what it means to be an active participant in the Church, a church, a

community, and the world.

...[use] the concepts and principles of Catholic Social Teaching to examine contemporary social

justice issues and to build arguments for particular positions regarding these issues

...be able to reflect critically and charitably on the concepts and practices that flow out of

Catholic Social Teaching.

...respectfully engage in dialogue with others about the course material and the various cases we

will encounter in class.

...integrate the writings of quintessential figures who inspired Catholic Social Thought with his

personal and spiritual life

...recognize the structural roots of injustice, to grow in awareness of the global nature of

current social problems, to become familiar with public policies that sanction or govern unjust

systems, and to realize personal responsibility within public processes.

...apply the principles of solidarity and stewardship to our local and global communities.

...[understand] the [biblical roots and tradition behind] the message of God’s love, knowing this

love is unconditional and is felt through a love of self and a lobe from and for others.

...conduct research using various forms of technology and further develop oral presentation

skills.