Core Nine
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SECTIONAL SYLLABUS -- CORE 9 F & G -- Semester 091

Toward a Christian Humanism
Fr. Tim McFarland, CPPS, Ph.D. Lec. -- M,W 9 (C 102)
 Disc. -- F — M,W 1-1:50  (C 109)
         G — T,R 1-1:50 (C 109)

Some of my Core 9 Links

Agencies of Compassion
The Pallotti Center - this page has a number of volunteer service organizations with many links to web sites describing the organization.
Covenant House - an organization that helps homeless teens. 
Look Smart -- Volunteer Opportunities -- has links to a number of different volunteer service organizations.
Quintessential Careers - Yet another site with links to volunteer organization of all sorts.
     These are just a couple to get you started.  Of course if there is a cause or agency that is close to your heart .... or try your own search.

Auschwitz -  Stuart Nichols has a series of photographs he took at Auschwitz.  This is the camp we read about in Night.
Dachau - here are some photo and some brief notes from people who have visited Dachau.

African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1981) another look at human rights.
Are Human Rights Universal - an interesting essay about the universality of human rights propositions.

Early Christian Writings -- has a number of links to apocryphal texts that we discussed in class.


OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES

Core 9 represents the move toward a synthesis and integration of your prior Core experiences. It also provides the foundation for what will be your work in Core 10, the capstone of your Core experience. Together we will explore the "ultimate questions" of our existence in light of a Christian vision. The outcome of our reading, discussion and communal reflection will be such that each student arrives at her/his initial "statement" on the nature and viability of Christian Humanism for the present day.

ATTENDANCE

I do expect your attendance at lectures and class discussion. I do take attendance and this figures into your participation grade; habitual absenteeism will have a negative impact on your grade.

EXAMS

There will be three exams given during the semester. In general exams will consist of some objective type questions (i.e., matching, short answers) and essay questions.

EXAM 1 -- Sept 30/Oct 1 -- 50 points
EXAM 2 -- November11/12 -- 50 points
FINAL EXAM - F -- December 14 (8 AM) -- 50 points
FINAL EXAM - G -- December 16 (3 PM) -- 50 points

PAPERS

There will be a total of four writing assignments this semester. The papers are due at the beginning of class on the due date. I do not like late papers and deduct points accordingly! The topics and due dates of these assignments are as follows:

--Assignment 1 -- DUE: September 9/10- [25 points]
    The world in disorder: evil & sin (3-4 pages)
--Assignment 2 -- DUE: September 28/29 -- [50 points]
    A Christian Anthropology (5-6 pages)
--Assignment 3 – DUE: October 28/29 [50 points]
    "Who do you say that I am?" Reflection on image of Jesus (5-6 pages)*
--Assignment 4 -- DUE: November 20 by 3 p.m. -- [50 points]
    Service Learning Reflection* (7-8 pages) OR
      Agency of Compassion/Justice Paper (7-8 pages)
--Assignment 5 -- DUE: December 9/10 -- [75 points]
     My Christian Humanist Manifesto (8-10 pages)
* You may choose to participate in 6-8 hours of community service and write an reflection on your experience in lieu of paper three.

Your papers are to be typed, double-spaced using correct grammar, style and format. Should you have the need to document outside sources, you should consult The Everyday Writer, the style guide for the Core Program. A copy is available on reserve in the Library.) It should go without saying (but I say it anyway) your papers are to be your own work! Plagiarism in any form is not acceptable, and will result in a minimum penalty of a 0 (zero) for the assignment. This includes using a paper from a "dorm file," a term paper service or downloading a paper from the internet. Note the "Academic Honesty" section of the Saint Joseph's College Catalog (pp. 53-4).

You may want to utilize the service of the Writing Clinic (it's one of the few free things around here). You may also consult your fellow students for proofreading. Don't rely solely on the computer "spell-checker." Finally, please do not trammel your papers with plastic covers, folders, binders, stick pins, etc., just a staple or paper clip in the top left-hand corner will do nicely!

DISCUSSION

As your experience in Core has probably demonstrated, the success of Core is dependent upon the informed participation of students. Obviously, that is hard to do if you have not prepared yourself by actively listening in lecture, reading the assignments prior to class, and listening to one another. Class discussion accounts for 100 points, which is based on quality participation, not the quantity.

SPECIAL NEEDS

If you are a student with a disability, please see me before the third week of the semester to discuss any accommodations you might need for class activity, examinations and out of class assignments in order to participate fully and demonstrate your abilities.

GRADING

You will receive one grade for Core 9, which is worth six (6) credit hours. Grades will be assigned on the basis of the proportion of total points acquired during the semester in the following fashion:
 

Grading Scale
449-435 = B+ 399-385 = C+ 349-335 = D+
500-465 = A 434-415 = B 384-365 = C  334-300 = D
464-450 = A- 414-400 = B- 364-350 = C- 299 -> = F

OFFICE HOURS
M,W, 10-11; T, R - 2-3  Other times are available by appointment.

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Page updated 08/21/2009 by
T. McFarland, C.PP.S. Assoc. Prof. of Religion
Saint Joseph's College.
Questions of comments about this page -- email timm@saintjoe.edu