Syllabus

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the practice and thought of Catholic Christianity within the context of a worshipping community.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the beliefs, values, traditions and history of Roman Catholicism.
• Identify, investigate and respond to fundamental questions of life raised by religion in general, by Roman Catholicism in particular and by human experience.
• Analyze the influence on people’s lives of the beliefs, rituals, values and traditions associated with Roman Catholicism.
• Examine and compare the Roman Catholic approach to Scripture in relation to that of other Christian traditions.
• Identify major themes of Catholic social teaching and explain the Church’s response to contemporary moral/human issues.
• Demonstrate an ability to think with the Catholic tradition.

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Materials

Required Text

Rausch, T. P. (2003). Catholicism in the third millennium. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press. ISBN: 0-8146-5899-7

Optional Resources

These resources will be helpful in researching various topics

• Catholicism (DVD set) 5 video discs available in the Dayton Memorial Library at Regis University (view a 9 minute preview of the series here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXz7CiIovJ8). This series may be available in your public library or you can check with any local Catholic parish or diocesan library to borrow a copy.
• McBrien, Richard P., Catholicism: New Edition,San Francisco: Harper, 1994.
• Martos, Joseph, Doors to the sacred: a historical introduction to sacraments in the Catholic Church, Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1982.
• Catholic Basics: A pastoral ministry series, Chicago, Il: Loyola Press, 2002 (8 books in the series offer an in-depth yet accessible understanding of the fundamentals of the Catholic faith for adults – topics include: Christology, Scripture, Church History, Mary and Saints, Sacramental Theology)

Assignment Sheet

Week	Topics	Readings (See content for details)	Activities and Points
One	God Gathers the Community of Faith	Cunningham:  Chapter 1 of An Introduction to Catholicism The Order of the Mass Rausch text:  Introduction and chapter 2 Gleeson:  Images, Understandings, and Models of the Church in History:  An Update Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) Chapter 5, Sections 39 & 40	Discussions (4 points) Introductions and Course Expectations What Does It Mean to Be “Catholic?” Experience the Catholic Mass Written Assignment: Models of the Church (8 points)
Two	Scripture in the Catholic Tradition	Rausch text: P. 5-6 “The Modern Biblical Movement” P. 14 “Revelation” Chapter 4 The Order of the Mass Liturgy of the Word Video Liturgical Calendar Understanding the Bible “Revelation of God” & “Transmission of Divine Revelation” from the Catechism of the Catholic Church<	Discussions (4 points) Scripture in the Catholic Tradition The Liturgical Year Experience the Catholic Mass Written Assignment: Incarnation and Bible Study (10 points)
Three	Creeds and Councils	Rausch text: chapters 1 and 3 Foley: Vatican II: The Vision Lives On	Discussions (4 points) The Creeds Teaching Authority Written Assignment: Second Vatican Council (8 points)
Four	The Eucharist	Rausch text: chapter 5 Richstatter: The first and greatest sacrament Four Eucharistic Prayers used in the Catholic Mass	Discussions (4 points) Story of Salvation: Eucharistic Prayers Passover and Eucharist Written Assignment: Sacrament, Meal, Sacrifice, Presence (10 points)
Five	Seven Sacraments	Rausch text: chapters 6 and 7 Richstatter: Definitions of Sacrament	Discussion (4 points) Seven Sacraments Written Assignment: Sacraments of Initiation (8 points)
Six	Good News for the Modern World: Catholic Social Teaching	Rausch text: chapter 8 The Busy Christian’s Guide to Catholic Social Teaching Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching John Paul II: Sollicitudo rei socialis	Discussion (4 points) Human Dignity On Social Concerns (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis), Encyclical of John Paul II Written Assignment: Addressing Contemporary Social Issues (8 points)
Seven	Prayer, Rituals and Other Catholic Practices	Rausch text: chapter 9 Catechism of the Catholic Church Barry: Why Do You Pray	Discussions (4 points) Catholic Prayer and Ritual Creating Ritual Variety of Catholic Spiritualities Written Assignment: Personal Prayer (8 points)
Eight	Mary and the Saints	Rausch text: chapters 9 and 10 Communion of Saints: Catholic encyclopedia Mary: The following sections from Catholic encyclopedia	Discussions (4 points) Saints in Catholic Tradition Mary, Mother of God Written Assignment: Saints (8 points)
Total Points			100

Regis University Grading Scale

Grading Scale and Equivalent Points

Letter Grade	Percentage	Grade Point	*Minimum Course Equivalent Points
A	93 to 100	4.00	186
A–	90 to less than 93	3.67
B+	88 to less than 90	3.33
B	83 to less than 88	3.00
B–	80 to less than 83	2.67
C+	78 to less than 80	2.33
C	73 to less than 78	2.00
C–	70 to less than 73	1.67
D+	68 to less than 70	1.33
D	63 to less than 68	1.00
D–	60 to less than 63	.67
F	Less than 60	0	Less than

*See Maximum Points from Course Assignments and Activities Table.

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Other Information

Note To Learners: On occasion, the course facilitator may, at his or her discretion, alter the Learning Activities shown in this Syllabus. The alteration of Learning Activities may not, in any way, change the Learner Outcomes or the grading scale for this course as contained in this syllabus. Examples of circumstances that could justify alterations in Learning Activities could include number of learners in the course; compelling current events; special facilitator experience or expertise; or unanticipated disruptions to class session schedule.

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