MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AS VOCATION
Spring 2003
Course: RS 310
T 11 - 12:50 and Th 1 - 2:50, Boyle 201
Instructor: Bridget Burke Ravizza, Ph.D.
Office: Boyle 433 (ext. 3174); bridget.burkeravizza@snc.edu
Office Hours: Monday 2 - 3, Thursday 11 - 12 and by appointment
Course Description: This course explores the moral and religious dimensions of
marriage and family, with particular attention to resources within the Catholic-Christian
tradition. The course will critically assess different theological models of marriage and
family within the Catholic and other Christian traditions, in conversation with nonChristian and secular understandings of marriage. The course will attend to such
questions as: How are Christian understandings of marriage and family distinctive from,
and challenged by, contemporary non-religious views of intimacy? Can traditional
notions of marriage as vocation and sacrament offer meaningful guidance for couples in
today’s context, which is marked by increasing gender equality and the existence of
multiple models of marriage and family life? Topics examined will include: biblical
perspectives on marriage and family; sexuality, commitment, and marriage; gay and
lesbian marriage; personal and societal implications of divorce; gender, justice and
marriage; and responsibilities of Christian family life.
Expectations: Students are expected to fulfill the requirements of the course in a manner
consistent with the St. Norbert College honor code as detailed in your student handbook.
Required Texts:
Margaret A. Farley, Personal Commitments: Beginning, Keeping, Changing
Kieran Scott and Michael Warren, Perspectives on Marriage: A Reader, 2nd ed.
Paul J. Wadell, Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice, and the Practice of Christian
Friendship
Judith S. Wallerstein, The Good Marriage: How and Why Love Lasts
Students are expected to have a bible
Class Format and Environment: The class will be a blend of lectures--to clarify and
expand on the readings--and discussion. My hope is that you will openly engage with the
readings and with one another. In order to foster an environment in which students may
speak honestly and critically about issues, I expect us to show respect for one another at
all times in the classroom. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will result in temporary
or permanent removal of the student(s).
Course Objectives:
• To gain a historical and theological perspective on marriage and family
• To understand how Christian marriage is distinctive from and challenged by
contemporary non-religious views of intimacy
• To understand what it means to consider marriage a vocation and sacrament; to examine
how the vocation of marriage develops over time (e.g., how careers, children, and other
obligations affect the marriage relationship)
• To appreciate the diversity of thought on marriage and family within the Christian
tradition as well as outside it; to be able to critically assess diverse models of marriage
and family
• To recognize the distinct characteristics and responsibilities of Christian family life-both internally (as a family unit) and externally (in relation to the common good)
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to faithfully attend class. More than one
unexcused absence will negatively affect your participation grade. More than six
unexcused absences will result in failure of the course.
Course Requirements:
1. Class participation is worth 15% of your final grade. The success of this course
depends heavily on the regular and consistent participation of students. Active
participation is required; it is not enough to just “show up” to class. You are expected to
do the required reading in full before coming to class. You should be able to critically
discuss the readings and raise and respond to pertinent questions in class.
We will do small and large group discussion in class. In order to make good use of that
discussion time, you must complete the readings and be prepared to express your
thoughts on them and/or ask thoughtful questions about them.
On occasion, you will be asked to write a one page critical reflection that will be brought
to class; these are meant to foster thought and discussion on readings and/or films and
will count toward your participation grade.
2. One interview with a married couple (who have been married at least five years) and
an accompanying paper, approximately 5-6 pages in length, will be worth 20% of your
final grade. Guidelines will be distributed in class.
3. Two take home essay exams will each be worth 20% of your final grade.
4. A final paper, approximately 6-7 double-spaced pages will be worth 25% of your final
grade. Topics will be determined in consultation with the instructor.
Date and Topic
Readings
Tues Jan 14
Introduction to the Course and One Another; Marriage Survey
Thurs Jan 16
Vocation as Context
Tues Jan 21
Diversity of Marriages and Families
Thurs Jan 23
The Psychological Tasks of Marriage and
Different Marriage Types
“Heart Searching and Life Choice,” Wilkie
Au*
“Marriage as a Christian Calling” Robert
Benne*
“The Many Faces of American Families in
the Year 2000,” Rosemary Radford
Ruether*
The Good Marriage, 3-87
Tues Jan 28
Watch Ordinary People in class
The Good Marriage, 91-149
Thurs Jan 30
The Good Marriage, 91-149 cont.
Tues Feb 4
The Good Marriage, 153-208
Thurs Feb 6
The Good Marriage, 211-282
Tues Feb 11
Marriage and Scripture
Thurs Feb 13
Marriage and Scripture cont.
Tues Feb 18
Models of Marriage
Perspectives on Marriage (PM), 7-21
Genesis 1-3
Hosea 1-14
Ephesians 5: 1-33
“Family Bonds and Christian Community:
New Testament Sources,” Lisa
Sowle Cahill*
PM, 29-44
“Reformulating the Sacramental Theology
of Marriage,” Brennan Hill*
PM, 59-77
Thurs Feb 20
Christian Friendship
Becoming Friends, 1-65
Tues Feb 25
Christian Friendship
Becoming Friends, 67-118
Thurs Feb 27
No class--Evening Panel of Married Couples (7pm)
Tues Mar 4
Sacrament of Matrimony--The Ritual
Guest Speaker: Fr. Jim Neilson
INTERVIEW PAPER DUE
Thurs Mar 6
Fidelity
Personal Commitments, 1-66
Tues Mar 11
Watch Shadowlands in class
Thurs Mar 13
Fidelity cont.
Personal Commitments, 67-135
Spring Break--No Class on Tues Mar 18 or Thurs Mar 20
Tues Mar 25
Divorce and Annulment
Thurs Mar 27
EXAM ONE DUE
Sexuality, Culture and Commitment
Tues Apr 1
Sexuality, Culture, Commitment, cont.
Thurs Apr 3
What Are “Christian Family Values”?
Tues Apr 8--No Class, Advisement Day
PM, 367-386
Becoming Friends, 159-180
PM 139-147, 158-168
“A Young Person’s Perspective on
Authority and Sexuality,” Anna
Roper*
“Sexuality: Personal, Communal,
Responsible,” Lisa Cahill*
PM 202-207
“The Family Agenda of the Christian
Right,” Rosemary Radford Ruether*
Thurs Apr 10
Gender and Marriage
Anthropology
Tues Apr 15
Women and the Family
Excerpt from “Mulieris Dignitatem,” JPII*
“Mary Sheds Light on the Role of
Women,” JPII*
“What It Means to be Human,” Regina
Coll*
PM, 285-303
“High-Altitude Careers and the ‘Price’ of
Motherhood,” Sylvia Ann Hewlett*
Thurs Apr 17
Watch Juggling Work and Family in class
Tues Apr 22
Christian Family Vision
Thurs Apr 24
Christian Family Vision
Tues Apr 29
EXAM TWO DUE
Gay and Lesbian Marriage and Family
“Domestic Church” and “A Christian
Family Vision,” Lisa Sowle Cahill*
Becoming Friends, 119-158
“Toward a Theology for Gay and Lesbian
Marriage,” Robert Williams*
Thurs May 1--Last Day of Classes
Gay/Lesbian Family continued
Course Wrap-up
Readings marked with an * will be made available as handouts or at the library
Final Exam: Wed May 7, 2:15 - 4:15
Your final paper will be due at the time of your scheduled final exam.
Note: This syllabus serves as a guideline and may be reasonably changed by the
instructor as we move through the semester.