Course Texts and Materials
- Building Catholic Character: Developing Christian Life Skills. Janie Gustafson, Ave Maria Press, 1998.
Students will need a notebook that will be devoted to this class alone. I will collect your notebook from time to time making it unavailable for other classes. You should also have a folder to hold all in-class handouts and homework so they are available to study from.
Items to bring to class every day: Textbook, writing utensils, folder, and a theology notebook.
Course Description
The goal of this course is to teach character education that is built on Christian values. This course will look at who we are as humans now, who God is and who we are called to be. "Christ...fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear." (Gaudium et Spes, 22) By studying the attributes of God as revealed by Jesus Christ, the students will discover who they are called to be. This course will entice the students to rise up to the challenge of that calling.
Course Outcomes
- The students will understand that there are 6 attributes of God upon which we can model our character.
- The students will be able to answer the question: How am I called to reflect, model, and respond to God's goodness, especially in terms of self esteem and honesty?
- The students will understand power in relationship to people, nature and objects and the Christian way to use it.
- The student will recognize through Jesus' actions how the TRUTH leads to proper action-wisdom.
- The student will know how God is revealed through the Holy Trinity, and how the three types of love (phile, eros, and agape) are evident in the three persons of the Trinity, and what that asks of them.
- The student will understand the difference between forgiveness (that which is commanded by God) and reconciliation (that which is given by God unconditionally, but not commanded by God to humans) and how these two conditions can change me-mercy
- The student will understand that the meaning of justice is to give others their due in terms of relationships between people and the common good with the Ten Commandments as a model.
- The Students will be able to describe how the Liturgy helps us to become who we are called to be.
Assignments
Exams - A final exam covering the entire semester will be given during the scheduled exam time.
Quizzes - Quizzes will cover all reading assignments, homework, notes, and discussions. Quizzes will generally be given with at least 2 days warning, pop quizzes will be given occasionally throughout the year.
If you are caught cheating on an exam or quiz (this includes looking at others papers or speaking to others) you will receive a zero and be sent to the office.
Homework - Occasionally, reading assignments will be given as homework. I expect you to participate in the classroom discussion as evidence that you have completed these assignments.
Late Work/Sick Days
Late Work policy - Any homework that is turned in late will be marked down 10% for every day it is late up to a maximum of 70%. The only exception to this rule is if you have had an excused sick day.
You are responsible for keeping track of what you have missed due to sick days. If you have missed a day, you need to see me the very next day and get your missing work. If you have missed a quiz or test, you need to meet with me to arrange a time to take it.
Grading
The student's grades will be determined by points. The percentage of points you have earned out of the possible point total will tell you what your grade is at any point during the class. Lansing Catholic's grading scale will be used, please refer to the Student Handbook.
Expectations
- If you are not in the door when the bell rings, I will mark you as tardy.
- Students who are not dressed according to the dress code will be sent to the office.
- Bathroom breaks will only be allowed in an emergency. Do not ask in the middle of a discussion.
- Do NOT work on assignments from other classes during this class. I will take the assignment and you may or may not receive it back.
- Any disrespectful, racist, sexist, or other derogatory comments will not be tolerated.
Service Hours
All Freshmen students are required to complete 10 hours of approved community service work to receive credit each semester. Failure to complete these hours will result in a failing grade.
These hours need to be with an agency - not assisting a family member. Work-a-thon does not count as service time. If you have a question about what might count, ask me before completing the hours! Find somewhere where you feel you are giving back to the community - your time will benefit others and you will enjoy what you are doing much more than simply putting in time somewhere.
Contact Information
At School - I am always here about an hour before school.
E-mail - bspitzley@lansingcatholic.org