Syllabus

SACRAMENTS
FALL 2012
COURSE SYLLABUS
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” – John 6:34-35

Instructor: Mr. Paul Lawler
Office Hours: Periods 2, 3, sophomore/junior lunch, after school, and by appointment

This syllabus is open to amendment.

I. Course Description:
This one-semester sophomore course explores the doctrinal, theological, liturgical, and historical dimensions of the seven sacraments in the Catholic faith community. Along with the sophomore study of church history and the freshman study of scripture, it will help students establish a solid foundation in the scripture and tradition of the Catholic Church as privileged places to encounter Christ.

We will begin our study by addressing the questions, “What is a sign?” and “What is a ritual?” Then, in order to establish a theological context, we will consider Jesus Christ as the primordial sacrament of God, the Church as the fundamental sacrament of Christ, and the sacraments as openings into the mystery of God at work in the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally, our study will examine the sacramental view of life and different aspects of prayer as keys to discovering God in all things.

II. Course Goals and Objectives:
In this course, students will learn to:
• explain the character and function of signs in mediating God’s mystery,
• explain the rituals, forms, and history associated with the Church’s seven sacraments,
• express a working knowledge of the major concepts employed in sacramental theology,
• deepen their understanding of prayer and liturgy,
• consider the theological concept of vocation, both generally and personally in their life,
• cultivate a sacramental awareness so as to grow in love of life and faith in God,
• be more sensitive to the goodness and beauty of the created universe and be more caring about human lives as unique, original, unrepeatable, precious images of God,
• appreciate the need to participate in the rituals of the various sacraments,
• confront some of the moral ambiguities of cultures, and to realize that many cultural values are contrary to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, and
• relate how participation in the Church’s sacramental life calls people to transform the world by working for peace and justice.

III. Course Sequence and Structure:
The course will have five units. Each unit will conclude with an in-class test. The test for the final unit will be included as a part of the semester final exam.
1. Introduction to Theology & Sacraments, Signs/Symbols, Liturgy, and Prayer
2. The Sacraments of Christian Initiation Part I: Baptism and Confirmation
3. The Sacraments of Christian Initiation Part II: Eucharist
4. The Sacraments of Healing: Penance/Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
5. The Sacraments at the Service of Communion and Mission (Vocation): Holy Orders and Matrimony

IV. Required Materials:
• Sacraments: Celebrating, Living, Believing. Harcourt Religion High School. Orlando: Harcourt Religion Publishers, 2008. (Harcourt)
• Youcat: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church with a forward by Pope Benedict XVI. San Francisco. Ignatius Press, 2011. (YouCat)
• Sawyer, Kieran. Sex and the Teenager: Choices and Decisions. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria Press, 2008. (Sawyer)
• A bible. The Catholic Study Bible, which is used in the freshman scripture course, is preferred, but any NAB transliteration is fine. (Bible)
• Notebook or loose-leaf paper for notes
• A 3 ringed binder with page dividers for handouts

V. Grading and Assessments:
According to school policy, each student will receive both an academic grade and an effort grade. The two are not necessarily related. A student’s effort grade will be based upon the instructor’s evaluation of the student’s participation and effort (paying attention in class, asking meaningful questions, completing work on time, seeking extra help, classroom discussions, etc.) Please see p. 9 of the Student Handbook for the general criteria of effort grades. A student’s academic grade will be determined according to the following distribution:
Unit Tests: 40%
Semester Exam: 15%
Homework/Notebook Checks/Quizzes: 25%
Synthesis/Reaction Papers: 10%
Class Participation 5%
Class Leader & Prayer: 5%

VI. Classroom Behaviors, Procedures, & Policies:
*All applicable elements of the Creighton Preparatory Student – Parent Handbook apply.
Learning Environment: Genesis chapter one teaches us that each person is made in the image of likeness of God and has inherent worth and dignity – regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, intelligence, or orientation. Therefore, the rules of respect and courtesy should be adhered to in every setting. Each student has a right to experience a classroom in which they are respected and encouraged to become their best selves. Students can expect that the discipline plan outlined in the school handbook will be followed. Beyond that, I would stress that each student is responsible for making all of the other students smarter, more compassionate, and open to new ways of imagining the world and growing closer to God.
Participation & Preparation: I expect you to read the assigned text before coming to class and write down questions and responses so you are prepared to contribute to class discussions. A good environment for learning requires that we all pay attention to each other. Inattentiveness will affect your effort and participation grades. Use of books for other classes, newspapers, magazines, iPods, cell phones, laptops, etc. during class is not allowed. If you need to use a laptop for taking notes, then this accommodation must be approved by the instructor. Food or drink is not to be consumed during class.
Prayer & Class Leader: Each class session will commence with a ‘Saint of the Day’ presentation and class prayer shortly after the ringing of the bell. All students will be assigned a date to present their saint and lead the class in prayer during the semester. Students will be encouraged to share their intentions after the leader’s presentation, and the class prayer session will usually conclude with a formal prayer or reflection led by the student.
Assignments & Homework: Completed assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the day on which they are due. Students that fail to turn in a completed assignment during the period in which it is due will receive ninth hour and be expected to turn in the homework within 24 hours from their class period. At most, a student can earn 70% of the best possible grade for assignments done on time. Students that fail to turn in their homework assignment within the 24-hour window will receive a zero for the assignment.
If a student anticipates difficulty turning in a particular assignment on time, he must contact me in person (face-to-face) ahead of time.
Attendance & Absences: In the event of an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain class notes and assignments from the period(s) from which he was absent. Any homework that was assigned during the student’s absence will be due one day following the day the student returns to class. A student should be prepared to take any quizzes or tests that occurred during his absence on the day which he returns to class, unless alternative arrangements have been made with the teacher. No points will be awarded for assignments, quizzes, or tests missed during unexcused absences.
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to be honest in their academic work. This includes both plagiarism and cheating. As defined by Creighton Prep, “Plagiarism is the use of words, ideas, or information of another without informing the reader/listener of the source of these words, ideas or information.” Any student who is found to have copied from a published source, an Internet site, a fellow student, or any other source will receive zero credit for the assignment and the Academic Vice Principal will be notified. Please see the Student – Parent Handbook for more information regarding academic dishonesty.
Class Website/Blog: Students are expected to check the class blog daily for course announcements: www.mrlawlersacraments.blogspot.com. Homework assignments and dates of tests will be posted on the online calendar.
Office Hours & Communication: Communication with the instructor will be essential for the student’s success in this course should any prolonged absences, lack of comprehension of course material, or other student difficulties arise. The instructor will be available most days in the Theology Department Office (room 012) to help students with work, proctor make-up exams, etc. When a message is left for the instructor by voicemail or email, please allow at least 24 hours for the instructor’s response. Generally, email is the best method of communication.

VII. Miscellaneous:
Films/Documentaries: On occasion, we will watch selected scenes from documentaries and theatrical movies in this course. These may or may not include selections from the following films:
• Catholicism DVD Box Set (Not rated, Documentary by Matthew Leonard & Fr. Robert Barron, 2011) • Merton: A Film Biography (Not rated, Documentary by First Run Features, 1984) • The Mission (PG, Film, 1986) • One Border, One Body (Note rated, Documentary by University of Notre Dame & Gatekeeper Productions, 2008) • Veilleurs dans la Nuit: Une journée monastique à l’abbaye Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux [Watchers in the Night: A Monastic Day at the Abbey of Sainte-Madeleine of Barroux] (Not rated, Documentary, 2009) • I Confess (Not rated, Alfred Hitchcock, 1953) • Of Gods and Men (PG-13, Film, 2010) • Xavier: Missionary & Saint (Not rated, Documentary, 2006) • Romero (PG-13, Film, 1989)

***** Please acknowledge that you have read and understand the information provided in this syllabus by signing and dating the attached signature page, detaching it, and returning it to the instructor by Monday, August 20, 2012.