RST 322
The Catholic World
"Any attempt to speak without speaking any particular language is not more
Dr. Alan Altany (curriculum vitae)
RST 322, Section 101: T/R12:30-1:45, Harris
Hall 445
Class Electronic Discussion List: rst322-9901-list@marshall.edu
Class Electronic Discussion List Archive: http://bailey9.marshall.edu/~altany/rst322-9901-list/
Office hours: MW
10-11, 12-2
Office Email: Student email will be responded to within
T/Thr 11-12:30 24 hours of reception
F 10-11
Text/Web Resources: Catechism of the Catholic
Church, Doubleday, 1995
Catechism of
the Catholic Church (text)
Vatican Web Site
Theology Library (A Catholic collection)
New Advent Catholic
Website (Catholic Encyclopedia, Church
Fathers, Summa Theologica, Q&A, etc.)
Catholic
Resources on the Net
Catholic Information
Center on the Internet
Catholic
Resources
Catholic
Mega Sites
Christus Rex et
Redemptor
Catholic
Homepages
My
Catholic Start Page
Abbey of Gethsemani
Anti-Catholicism (Views of Chick Publications)
The following course explanation, in its totality, is a syllabus that is dynamic and
flexible according to the needs of the learners and of the learning process. It is
not
presented as complete at the beginning of the study, but as an initial trajectory for the
study. More specific guidance will be available as needed along the way. You,
the learner,
have a voice in the directions our study of world religions takes so that our work is most
significant for you and for the class as a whole.
Course Description
This course is an exploration of the
orgin and development of the Roman Catholic world in all its
multiple expressions: theology,
politics, liturgy, morality, arts, spirituality, monasticism. We will seek
to gain an understanding of the
Catholic worldview and how that worldview originated,
developed
and what interpretation it gives to
human life, society, salvation and to the sacred or
"God." We will
examine Catholic self-identity, what it
means to be Catholic, and what are the unique characteristics
of Catholicism in the contemporary
world. We will critically analyze the structures, intentions,
meanings,
beliefs, rituals, stories, ethical teachings, role of community and the role of mystical or religious
experience
in Roman
Catholicism. We will try to "see" what being Catholic means according to
Catholics themselves.
Thus, this study has a course project
where the learner is to observe Catholic events and speak
with
Catholics. Also, we will look at the
nature of anti-Catholicism.
Course Objectives
By the end of this study it is hoped and expected that each
learner will be have a basic knowledge of the
main questions which Catholicism asks and seeks answers to
within the context of its tradition. Further
objectives: To develop critical thinking skills by
means of trying to become aware of one's perspective
and why it is as it is and any needed changes in order
to have a more accurate, perceptive view of
Catholicism; To understand the nature and problems of
understanding a religion or way of life, whether
it is one's own or one is not a member of it; To interpret
Catholicism in an historical, educational, social
and religious context.
Computing in this Course
Each student needs to have the basic ability to use email
that is web-sensitive such as Netscape Messenger
or Microsoft Outlook and to be able to find and utilize
world-wide-web resources that are available for the
study of religion and religions through use of a web browser
such as Navigator (2.0 or higher) or Internet
Explorer. The course will include sending and receiving
email, web site readings and research, an electronic
discussion list (with web archive) and electronic publication
of student writings, both individual and collaborative.
The educational use of telecomputing will facilitate
ongoing asynchronous discussion, submission and revision
of student writings, peer review of student writings,
collaborative group writings and projects, individual
communication with the professor, or among students, and
publication of an electronic course journal with
student contributions. Telecomputing
tutorials are available as is guidance on how to communicate kindly
and
with respect on the Internet (netiquette).
The purposes of the using of computer technology in this study are as follows:
* Participation in the archived, asynchronous class
discussion list (mailserv)
* Communication with international, intercultural guests on the class list
* Individual email contact with students from other parts of the world
* Anytime communication of questions, comments, problems, etc. with the
professor via individual email
* Engage in a semester-long discussion with other learners in the course via
the class discussion list
* Submit individual & collaborative writings electronically to the class list or
professor
* Investigate relevant World-Wide Web sites
* Collaborate with other students in the course on projects/writings via email
* Expand opportunities for reflective participation in the study, beyond the
limitations of a classroom place and classroom time
* Encourage learners/students to become more central to the learning process
and more responsible for their own, and others, learning
* Develop computer skills
* Allow learning to become more enjoyable, valuable, enduring, self-directed and
expansive beyond just a transfer of information from professor to student
Writing Across the Curriculum
This study is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC),
writing-intensive, course where writing is fully integrated
into all aspects of the learning and reflection
process. In this process one's writing skills are further developed
in the context of both learning to write and writing to
learn. There are no exams in this course, but there are
in- and out-of-class writings, formal, revised essay, group
writings, oral presentations or debates with written components. On-line writing resources
are available. All writings are to be completely the work of the
individual or the group doing the writing, thus avoiding all plagiarism.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at every class is expected and necessary to best
benefit the act and art of learning through the
discussion and writing orientation of this course on a
complex subject. Any one planning on having unexcused absences is advised to not
take this course of study.
Drop Policy
The official withdrawal policy is observed where the
withdrawal ("W") period for an individual course begins
August 31st and ends October 30th. From November 2nd to
November 8th only complete withdrawals
from the university are allowed.
Course Evaluation
Electronic Discussion
List
- 25 %
Individual Course
Project
- 25 %
Self-directed Group Study &
Presentation
- 25 %
Rough
Draft & Revised Formal
Essay
- 25 %
All writings, presentations, discussion list postings need
to be done on time to receive full
evaluation.
"Truth is so obscure in these times, and
falsehood so established,
that, unless we love the truth, we canot know it." -Pascal
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