St. John Bosco High School Fall Semester: 2022-2023 Christian Vocations: Course Syllabus Instructor: Mr. McArthur Classroom: 244 Phone: 562-920-1734 ext. 583 E-Mail: gmcarthur@bosco.org St. John Bosco High School Mission Statement: Our mission is to: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Provide a safe environment for learning and celebrating Christian life; Embrace diversity as an advantage for our school community; Encourage the highest standards of excellence in academic, athletic and community efforts; Develop young men, parents, faculty and staff with the spirit to contribute to our school, our communities, and our country; Maintain our commitment to the legacy of St. John Bosco through our faith, fellowship and funding; Apply a positive moral work ethic to our environment; Give assistance to all in need of our passion for living and learning in the ways of St. John Bosco. Course Description: This course offers students the opportunity to begin to reflect on and apply what they have come to believe as their vocation as a Christian. The course is designed to be a “practical discipleship” for young men living in the United States in the 21st century. Through the reflection on real life choices, students are able to begin to prayerfully reflect on their personal gifts and unique call by God. Special attention will be given to surveying the various life vocations within the church: single life, married life, religious life and priestly life. Learning Targets and Goals: The goal of the course is to help students understand and have some methods of coping with the opportunities, challenges, and developmental tasks facing young adults today. Also, to help students reflect on who they are and how God is personally calling them to live in the world. [One Semester] Student will be able to: determine their own sense of mission and purpose define love and happiness from various perspectives and ways of life explain how vocation is a Christian response to ministry articulate a Christian understanding of human intimacy describe and evaluate the different types of lifestyle choices examine lifestyle issues and choices in light of Gospel values identify the components that contribute to a meaningful Christian life Required Materials: The following course materials must be brought to class every day: ● BYOD device – Academically oriented device such as: laptop, iPad, or tablet. phone as a last resort to be used for with the written permission of the student’s parent for academic purposes only, and is subject to confiscation if used inappropriately (see BYOD info below). (B.Y.O.D.) Electronic Devices: Students are expected to bring an electronic device for each class meeting. A device can be a necessary and amazing learning tool. It can also be a notorious distraction from learning and sabotage a student’s ability to focus on course material. Device Discipline Students may not use devices after entering the classroom before the bell. A student’s device is to be used ONLY when the instructor gives specific verbal permission for students to take it out of storage. Having a device out at any other time is strictly prohibited. Phone Policy Upon entering the classroom, phones and headphones (Air Pods, ear buds, Beats, etc.) must be stowed and If a student uses his phone without specific permission, the phone will be confiscated. Of course, this includes any clandestine viewing of the devices attempting to camouflage its use, which will be interpreted as intentional defiance of classroom policies and school rules. Consequence progression: The first time a student’s device is confiscated, the incident will be recorded and the device will be returned at the end of the school day if the student is compliant. A second confiscation will also be recorded and the student’s parent will be notified by phone at the end of the school day. Whether the device will be returned at the end of the day will be determined by the parent. A third violation will require that the device will be confiscated and delivered to the main office, where the student will have to retrieve the device (SJBHS policy). Students must understand that taking photos, videos, or any other form of unauthorized electronic recording/photographing of assessments, other students, any teacher or staff member is absolutely prohibited. In the event that a student violates this policy, his parents will be immediately notified, he will face administrative disciplinary consequences, and may face further legal and civil consequences in accordance with California laws governing privacy, possibly including harassment and bullying. Grading Information: Percentage Values 30% Course Notes, Journals, and Exercises - (Which demonstrate student engagement with course material, articles, and Gospel) 40% Signature Assignments and Projects 10% Mid-Term- (Assesses student understanding of major course concepts at the end of the first quarter) 20% Semester Summative Final- (Assesses student understanding of ALL major course concepts and is standardized by the Religious studies Department) NOTE: This course will employ a hybrid grading system. Both numerical and letter grades will be used for different outcomes. SJBHS Traditional Grading Scale: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 50-59 Failing Grades Students who earn a failing grade (D or F) in a core class must remediate the course during the summer in order to receive his transcript. Incomplete Grades Students may be issued incomplete grades for (but not limited to) the following reasons: extended absences, unforeseen circumstances, injuries that impair cognition, and any other circumstances that are approved by the administration. All incomplete grades will be documented and submitted to the Vice Principal of Academic Affairs. The Incomplete designations are Incomplete-C (IC) and Incomplete-F (IF) this indicates that grade that would be earned if the student did not complete what is expected to finish the course. Assignment Descriptions: Students are expected to attend class regularly, read the articles prior to class meetings and come prepared to engage in the discussion of the readings, verbally demonstrating their understanding of the reading assignments, and make informal presentations. Attendance, group work, and participation are strictly required. The following are examples of other required assignments. Small and large-group discussions as well as threaded discussions on Schoology Long term projects and reflections Journal keeping and agenda submissions Text reading and article summary. Signature Assignment and Project Calendar The dates and projects listed below are tentative and subject to change. In the event of a date change, students will be notified in class and via Schoology. Signature Assignment #1 - Digital Shields - due Friday, August 27th Signature Assignment #2 - Tool Box - due Thursday, September 8th Midterm - Due Tuesday, October 5th Signature Assignment #3 - Goal Chasing Template - Due Thursday, October 28th Signature Assignment #4 - Bucket List Project - Due Thursday, November 18th Final - Due the week of December 13th Communication Protocols Students should be checking Schoology as well as their Bosco email on a daily basis for any important updates or announcements. As students are required to bring a laptop or tablet with them to every class meeting, they will be expected to access course materials every day. The instructor will be reachable in person and electronically during the school day, roughly 7:30am to 4:30pm. Students may use Gmail or Google Chat to communicate with the instructor, however messages sent after 4:30pm will not be read or responded to until the following day. Assignment Submission Protocols All assignments, unless otherwise specified, must be submitted electronically to the appropriate Schoology submission portal (these will always be found in the folder corresponding to the week/day the assignment is due.) In order to be considered “on-time,” the assignment must be submitted and timestamped prior to the deadline discussed and posted on Schoology. Late and Missing Assignments Any work submitted past the assigned deadline will earn a maximum grade of 70% with the exception of work submitted after a student was ill. If a student misses class due to an extracurricular, early sports dismissal, rally, field trip, etc. they are still responsible for any work that needs to be submitted. Any assignment that has not been submitted will be marked as “missing” in the Schoology Gradebook and logged as a “0.” Student Behavior Expectations: Each student’s focus in the classroom must be on: ● Self-motivation and self-discipline for academic achievement and the development of personal maturity ● Standing out from “the crowd” by making positive contributions to the learning community ● Respect for, and a positive attitude toward, the critical importance of education as the primary method of advancement in life for a young person ● Respect for all aspects of the classroom environment: people, products, and property ● Respect and consideration of others as persons, including each student’s right to learn, be respected as an individual and to state answers, opinions or ask questions without being ridiculed by others ● Collaboration with and openness to all members of the class, including students from different backgrounds and life experiences; students are challenged to move beyond the confines of their current peer group to find the Image of God (Imago Dei) in all students ● All required learning materials brought to class, every day, including device Please do NOT: ● Disrupt the academic environment of the classroom by selfish, narcissistic behavior that attempts to get attention through inappropriate means ● Talk or make comments without raising hand prior to be acknowledged by the teacher ● Interrupt anyone or ridicule anyone’s answers or opinions at any time, such egregious behavior will not be tolerated ● Make idle sounds including singing, humming or making other noises that are disruptive ● Bring food, drink, especially sugary drinks like soda and sports drinks (except for bottled water) into the classroom unless secured in backpack. No eating or chewing gum in the classroom. (Students must eat during the nutrition or lunch periods, not before class) ● Bring non-academic electronic devices to class without specific permission ● Put head down on his desktop at any time unless given specific permission ● Do work for another class without specific permission Absences: In the event of an excused absence, the student is responsible for any work they miss while they are out. This means that the student is responsible for checking Schoology, communicating with the instructor, or reaching out to fellow students in order to access any assignments or materials. In the event of an unexcused absence, any work that a student misses will automatically be marked as “missing.” Service Requirement: All students must complete designated hours of approved service and submit all required documentation forms as indicated in order to successfully complete the course (info on Bosco website: Campus Life/Campus Ministry). Academic Integrity: The philosophy of SJBHS embraces a commitment to the moral development of each student. As a Catholic and Salesian community, the school adheres to a code of moral values that challenges its students to demonstrate academic integrity in all of their efforts. Academic integrity requires that each student assume responsibility for producing work that reflects his own pursuit of knowledge, and that teachers, in support of parents as the primary educators of the student, provide the moral companionship necessary to the development of character. Honesty, right-reasoning, and ethical decisions are upheld and advanced in all academic endeavors. Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to the following: Unauthorized aid or assistance in the giving or receiving of information on any form of academic work. Copying language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and presenting as one's original work. Statement of any untruth, either spoken or written, regarding any circumstances relative to academic work. Just as academic integrity requires that each student assumes personal responsibility for academic work, moral integrity and similar expectation of personal accountability, the deportment of all students as Christian gentlemen is extended to all areas of school-life and school events including all social activities, which also demands a high moral standard of conduct. Consequences: 1) For the first offense, the student will receive a grade of “F” on the assignment or assessment, parent notification and Saturday School. 2) For the second offense, the student may earn a semester grade of “F”, and may be subject to suspension. The violation may also be noted on his transcript. 3) For the third offense, the student may be subject to expulsion. The violation will be noted on his transcript. Teachers will notify parents, the Vice Principal of Academic Affairs, the Department Chair, the Dean of Students, and the student’s counselor after any incident of violation of academic integrity. The school administration reserves the right to alter or revise the consequence based on the severity of the violation. There is a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism. Students caught plagiarizing will receive an F grade on the assignment and will receive further school disciplinary consequences. Restroom Policy: Students should make every effort to use the restroom before or after class. If students need to use the bathroom in class, they must ask for permission from the teacher. A student must surrender a personal item for collateral while he is gone; this will normally be his phone. Students will not be permitted to use the bathroom during times that are disruptive to the whole class, such as during teacher-led direct instruction or peer presentations. Students may ask to use the bathroom during times that do not disrupt others, such as class time allotted for independent work or group work. Disabilities: Students with disabilities who need reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations in this course should speak directly with the instructor at the beginning of the course. Restroom Policy: Students should make every effort to use the restroom before or after class. If students need to use the restroom in class, they must ask for permission from the teacher. Students will not be permitted to use the bathroom during times that are disruptive to the whole class, such as during teacher-led direct instruction or peer presentations. Students may ask to use the bathroom during times that do not disrupt others, such as class time allotted for independent work or group work. Collateral, such as a student’s device will be required before the student has permission to leave the classroom. Students should report any particular medical issue in this regard to the instructor. Accommodations: Students with special needs who need reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations in this course should speak directly with the instructor at the beginning of the course.
