Spring 2007
RS 301/PJ 419/CAS 460E SYLLABUS
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Catholic Social Thought
RS 301N, PJ 419, CAS 460E
Course Schedule
Mon-Wed 2:30-3:45 pm
Main Hall, 305
Instructor
Dr. Tom Leininger
Loyola Hall, Rm. 32
Ph. o- (303) 964-5082
Email: tleining@regis.edu *
*Use voicemail for urgent matters
Instructor
Dr. Byron Plumley
Main Hall, Rm. 214
Ph. o- (303) 964-3660
h- (303) 455-2696
Email: bplumley@regis.edu
Office Hours
MWF 11:20-12:20
MW 1:20-2:20*
Office Hours
Tues. 10-noon
Wed. 10:30-11:30 am.
Best by Appointment
*On MW Dr. Leininger teaches in L27 until 1:20, talks with students after class, and then walks
over to the Cafeteria to meet with students.
Website: http://academic.regis.edu/tleining/
Course Overview
This course will examine the living tradition of Catholic social thought. Discussion will include
official church teaching as well as the reflection and stories of Catholic theologians and activists.
The course will explore major themes in Catholic social teaching including human rights,
economic justice, war and peace, liberation movements, and the consistent ethic of life. Students
should gain a critical understanding of the “Course Questions” listed below.
Course Questions
1. What are the central principles and themes of Catholic social thought and how are they
grounded in the life and message of Jesus?
2. How does the historical context of Catholic social thought illuminate it?
3. How does Catholic social thought speak to contemporary social issues?
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Catholic social thought and how can it enrich
our own reflection on social issues?
Participation and Attendance
Student participation through reading and discussion is a high priority. We are all learners in this
class and need the full participation of each person to get the most out of the course. Student
questions, insights and critical thinking are very important and valued. Reading and preparation
before each class is essential to the conversation. Be an interactive reader. Write down
comments and questions as you engage an author. The conversation will have greater continuity
and be more meaningful if you are present for every session.
Absences will lower your grade for class participation. Three absences will drop your final
grade one full letter. With six absences you will fail the course. Tardiness will count against
your participation grade.
Spring 2007
RS 301/PJ 419/CAS 460E SYLLABUS
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Disability
If you have a documented disability requiring academic adjustments for this class please contact
Joie Williams, Director of Disability Services (303)458-4941, jwilliam@regis.edu. She will
review your documentation and help determine appropriate accommodations. Then, make an
appointment with your professor to discuss your situation in light of the course.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is “the appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas, and thoughts of another
[person], and the representation of them as one’s original work” (Random House Dictionary of
the English Language, 1983). It is one of the most serious violations of academic ethical
standards. It is the equivalent of fraud and theft combined. The consequences for those who
plagiarize will be severe.
To avoid plagiarism in your papers and portfolio, be sure to enclose quotations in quotation
marks. Follow appropriate formats for quotations of more than four lines. It is wise to use
quotations sparingly. Always give an in-text citation and a reference for quotations and for any
ideas, facts, and interpretations that you have gotten from any source, especially published or
electronic materials.
If you have any doubts about how to provide citations and references in an appropriate format,
visit the Writing Center in Loyola Hall, Room 2.
Grading
Attendance, Participation and
Learning Activity
In-class Writing & Quizzes
Study-reflection Papers (3)
Final Paper
A
AB+
93-100
90-92
87-89
15%
15
30
40
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
Grade criteria:
A = outstanding work
B= very good work
C= adequate, complete work
D= inadequate, minimally acceptable work
F= fails to meet minimum requirements
Pass= C- or higher; P/F student with a D+= F
C 73-77
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 59
Assignments
All papers are typed, 12 point font, double-spaced. Please keep your papers during the semester
for reference and discussion. The emphasis is on quality research and reflection.
1. In-class Writing & Quizzes. At the start of many classes you will have 5-10 minutes to write
on questions concerning the assigned readings or take a short quiz. For example, “Explain the
author’s thesis and how she supports it.” You may use your notes but not the text. Good notes
on the text will be helpful. If you are absent or arrive after the writing exercise has begun you
earn a zero. Your two lowest in-class writing/quiz grades will be dropped.
2. Study-Reflection Papers. There will be three study-reflection papers based on the
integration of text material, class discussion, outside research and Community Based Learning
experiences. The topics are: Human Rights, Economic Justice, and War and Peace. Each paper
Spring 2007
RS 301/PJ 419/CAS 460E SYLLABUS
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will demonstrate your understanding and application of Catholic social teaching in relation to the
primary topic. Critical analysis, scholarly thought and personal reflection are all part of the
paper. 3 pages.
3. Learning Activity. Students will form groups and sign up for one of the class meetings listed
on the syllabus as a “Learning Activity.” Each group will lead a 25-30 minute hands-on
learning activity designed to help the class understand and reflect upon two main elements: 1) a
promising practical response to an important social issue and 2) how this response embodies one
or more principles of Catholic social teaching. A “hands-on” activity is one in which each
member of the class learns by doing some activity. It is not a student presentation. However,
groups may briefly present background information and are always be responsible for summing
up what has been learned at the end of the activity. The primary goal is to generate highly
engaged learning and reflection among your classmates about the social issue and Catholic social
thought. Students should select a social issue that they find most important and engaging.
4. Final Paper. This is a formal research paper. The topic is “Catholic Social Teaching and
____________.” You will choose a focus area for your research. Catholic social teaching offers
fundamental principles and values that challenge us to a consistent ethic of life. Many “life”
issues are grounded in those foundational values. Present your subject focus within the context
of Catholic social teaching and the consistent ethic of life. 8-9 pages.
Re-writing Papers. If you would like to re-write a paper (except the final paper) it will be
accepted anytime up to April 30 (last class). Please talk with the instructor about specific details
concerning your paper. When turning in a re-written paper also turn in the original paper with
changes indicated as well as a marked up draft from the Writing Center with the following
information attached: name of consultant; date of session; total time of session; key items
addressed in session, e.g., grammar.
Required Texts
Mich, Marvin L. Krier. (1998) Catholic Social Teaching and Movements. Mystic, CT:
Twenty-third Publications. ISBN: 0-89622-936-X
Thompson, J. Milburn. (2003) Justice and Peace: A Christian Primer (2nd ed.)
Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. ISBN: 1-57075-461-6
Readings and course materials posted on the course website (abbreviated as “CW”)
Websites for Catholic Social Teaching
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/statements.shtml
http://www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/ (social development and world peace)
Vatican Documents
http://www.justpeace.org/docu.htm
http://www.zenit.org/english/
Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis
http://www.osjspm.org/catholic_social_teaching.aspx
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RS 301/PJ 419/CAS 460E SYLLABUS
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Catholic Social Thought—RS 301, PJ 419
Spring 2007 Syllabus Calendar/Assignments
Day
W
Date
1/17
Topics and Assignments
Introduction
M
1/22
Catholic Social Teaching: Environment
Mich, 13; Grazer and U.S. Bishops (handouts)
W
1/24
Environment: CST in Action
DUE: Group Project on Climate Change
M
1/29
Twenty First Century Context
Thompson, 1: DUE: Connect your key social issue to Thompson, 1
W
1/31
Foundation for CST: Jesus and Citizenship
Thompson, 8; US Catholic Bishops, Faithful Citizenship,2004 (website)
M
2/5
Background for CST
Mich, 1-2; Sign up for group learning activity in class
W
2/7
CST: Themes and Sources
CW: Leininger, “Central Principles of CST,” and “Four Sources of CST”
M
2/12
Human Rights
Thompson, 4 DUE: Your most important human right from the
Universal Declaration on Human Rights (Dec. 10, 1948)
W
2/14
Human Rights and Pacem in Terris
Mich, 4 excerpts from Pacem in Terris (website)
Th
2/15
Tom Beaudoin, “Can Catholics Make Sense of Popular Culture?,”
Chapel 7:00 pm.
M
2/19
Human Rights in Action
Guantanamo/Terrorist Action Group
W
2/21
Learning Activity…Student Choice: Laine Morgan, Ashley Reiber,
Ashley Kramb, Crystal Aquino, Laura Hornung
DUE: Study Reflection Paper One: Human Rights
M
2/26
Economic Justice
Thompson, 2
W
2/28
Economic Justice…El Salvador: University of Central America
Mich, 9 (Liberation Theology, Option for the Poor) Jon Sobrino
Recommended: CW, Leininger, “Liberation Theology”
Film: Inconvenient Truth
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Spring Break March 3-11
M
3/12
Economic Justice for All
Mich, 11 and 3 (Catholic Worker)
W
3/14
Economic Justice in Action
Micro-lending DVD Heroes, Muhammad Yunus.
M
3/19
Learning Activity…Student Choice: Megan Barngrover, Sonja Roybal,
Nicole Gendill, Shandra Knapstad, Ashley Blanchard
W
3/21
Violence and War
Thompson 6
DVD Arms for the Poor
DUE: Study Reflection Paper Two: Economic Justice
Th
3/22
Richard Heinzl, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, “Living in a World
Without Borders, Chapel, 7:00 pm.
M
3/26
CST on War and Peace: Just War Criteria
Mich, 10 and U.S. Bishops, Challenge of Peace (website)
McCormick/Connors, Christians and Violence (handout)
W
3/28
CST: Pacifism/ Nonviolence
Merton, An Enemy of the State (handout)
Muste, The Pacifist Way of Life (handout)
M
4/2
Peacemaking in Action
Catholic Worker…direct service and direct action.
DVD Conviction (Plowshares Action)
W
4/4
Learning Activity…Student Choice: CJay Kummer, David Gomez,
Blaine Miller, Patrick Terry, Jennyfer Nguyen
M
4/9
Consistent Ethic of Life…Issues
DUE: Group project on Life Issues
DUE: Study Reflection Paper Three: War and Peace
W
4/11
CST: Consistent Ethic of Life
Mich, 8 Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life)
M
4/16
CST: Death Penalty
DUE Before Class: view the movie Dead Man Walking (DML reserve)
W
4/18
Consistent Ethic in Action: Euthanasia
Th
4/19
John O’Mally,SJ., “Vatican II: Did Anything Happen? Who Owns It
Now?” Chapel, 7:00 pm
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RS 301/PJ 419/CAS 460E SYLLABUS
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M
4/23
Learning Activity…Student Choice: Craig McCoy, Jessica Carrico,
Sarah Wernimont, Emily Dufficy, Emmet Duffy
W
4/25
Final Class Meeting, Review, Evaluation; DUE: Final Paper