Humanitas Plene

Welcome

2007-10-14T22:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Reading Lists for the Dear Brother Thomas Curriculum in Moral Theology

These lists of books, lectures, web sites, articles, and readings from the Summa Theologica support each lesson in the Dear Brother Thomas curriculum. However, if you are not currently studying the curriculum you may still find these lists useful.

The lists are organized by topic, beginning with natural law subjects (at the top of the menu to the right), moving into divine law subjects, and ending with particular moral issues.

The reading lists are always growing. If you have a suggestion for a resource to add, please add a comment to the appropriate list post. Please make sure your suggestion is faithful to magisterial teachings - we will review each suggestion before posting it.

While that may seem closed-minded to some people, we don't believe it is closed minded to want to create a list of resrouces that accurately present the Catholic teaching on these issues. Other resrouces are readily available that oppose Catholic teaching.

Reading List: Alcohol & Drugs

2007-03-07T13:18:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Cannabis Increases Risk of Psychosis:

Many people claim that marijuana is less harmful than cigarettes. However, marijuana's bad reputation as a mind-altering drug continues to be supported by science.

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Just War & Capital Punishment

2007-03-05T21:59:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lord, Please Don't Hear This Prayer:

Take, for example, a petition I heard (in the #2 slot, of course) a few weeks ago: "That all world leaders may put aside their political differences and work for true and lasting peace, let us pray to the Lord." I didn’t. Why? Because that petition, however innocently crafted, reflects a host of misconceptions about world politics, world peace, and world order: misconceptions that I have been trying to counter — evidently, without much success! — for more than a quarter-century.

Lectures

Summa Theologica
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Reading List: Culture of Life

2007-03-04T23:09:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Bioethics class visits neonatal facility:

The famous rogue "bioethicist" who believes that even newborn babies do not have an inherent right to life takes his class to see prematurely born babies to "prove" to them that they are not really human persons.

Catholic hospitals commit – and U.S. bishops condone – live-birth abortion:

Catholic hospitals are by and large not living up to Catholic moral teaching. They often do so by misinterpreting (or misrepresenting) the principle of double effect or some other moral principle.

China Fears a Baby Bust:

After years of mandating the one-child policy, current government efforts to loosen the restrictions to try to thwart a population shortage are finding many Chinese families, especially in urban areas, have grown used to the idea of having only one baby. In 2003, about half as many babies were born as deaths were reported in the city of Shanghai, which is a trend that worries officials. Los Angeles Times

Eggs 'fertilised' without sperm:

Scientists have devised a way to make human eggs behave as if they have been fertilized - without using sperm.

Feeding Tube Decisions: The Hospice Language Barrier:

The culture of death has hijacked language to the point that medical hospice professionals speak a foreign language, a language that family of hospice residents need to learn!

A Meeting of the Minds?

If one were to judge from the callers on the radio talk shows, Americans on the right are not very optimistic about the country’s future. They see our schools and public institutions falling under the control of a variety of secular humanists and are convinced that Hollywood is undermining our traditional values.

Of Mice, Men and In-Between:

As genetic science advances, ethical concerns become more and more complex. Unfortunately, abortion, cloning, and embryonic stem cell research have already put us behind in our ability to think truly about biological ethics. This article is about ethical concerns surrounding the creation of chimeras, human-animal hybrids.

Catholic Health Care Providers and the Issue of Emergency Contraception: Offering Compassion and Truth in Cases of Rape and Sexual Assault

An excellent analysis of emergency contraception, problems with the redefinition of pregnancy, and morally acceptable alternatives to EC.

Lectures

Pro-Life Philosophy:

The philosophical case against abortion

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Homosexuality

2007-03-03T23:06:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Homosexuality: The Untold Story (6 parts)

The phantom gene:

Beginning here, The Catholic Standard & Times will publish a six-part series that will focus exclusively on the untold side of this issue. We will explore what is known to the medical, social, scientific and religious communities about homosexuality, giving our readers and their loved ones an opportunity to make an intelligent and fully informed choice about their lifestyle.

Known causes of same-sex attraction:

If genes are not the cause of same-sex attraction in some people, what is?

Health risks of the homosexual lifestyle:

"As a nurse, I watched 100 of my friends and acquaintances die of AIDS and AIDS related illnesses. After that, I stopped counting."

Treatment and Prevention:

The theory that homosexuality is irreversible has become so politicized that almost no one heard the news story that broke in October, 2003.

Gay Marriage: Who’s Minding the Children?

The whole issue of gay marriage can be summed up in one word — children.

In the Image of God: Church Teaching on Human Sexuality:

Throughout this series, we have attempted to show how Church teaching and medical science agree on many aspects of the issue of homosexuality. But in order to fully grasp Church teaching on this subject, we must go much further than the few catechetical quotes cited in this series. In order to fully grasp what the Church teaches about homosexuality, we must first come to understand what she teaches about human sexuality in general.

National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality:

There are a lot of excellent resources on this web site about how to interact with loved ones who struggle with same-sex attraction, and on the hope that the disorder may be healed.

Lectures

Moral Theology and Homosexuality:

Traditional moral wisdom for modern moral confusion

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Chastity

2007-03-02T23:03:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Sex and the Natural Law
Mark Minardi offers some reasons for chastity that can be known through human experience and reason - in other words through the Natural Moral Law.

Feminism and the Unraveling of the Social Bond:

It has not been easy to acknowledge that feminism has promoted the unraveling of the most binding and important social bonds. Not easy, but unavoidable.

Kinsey’s Secret: The Phony Science of the Sexual Revolution:

It’s now more than 50 years since the revolution began. Sexual “liberation” has been endlessly ballyhooed by the national media, promoted in the movies, embraced by Playboy guys and Cosmo girls as a freedom more delicious than Eden’s apple.

QUESTION: Should I move in with my boyfriend before we get married? It seems like a smart move, because you want to really know a person before you commit to life together.

Aside from all of the spiritual factors regarding premarital sex, let's take a look at what researchers have found about living together before marriage. Two researchers summarized the findings of numerous studies by stating that "expectation of a positive relationship between cohabitation and marital stability . . . has been shattered in recent years by studies conducted in several Western countries."

SHOULD WE LIVE TOGETHER?

What Young Adults Need to Know about Cohabitation before Marriage: a Comprehensive Review of Recent Research

Waxman's anti-abstinence report is melting:

Last week, California Democrat Congressman Henry Waxman issued a report claiming that most federally funded abstinence-only programs teach "false, misleading, or distorted information about reproductive health."

Waxman Report Is Riddled with Errors and Inaccuracies:

A new report from Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) and the minority staff of the House Committee on Government Reform, The Content of Federally Funded Abstinence-Only Education Programs, is yet another attempt by aggressive proponents of comprehensive sex education to discredit and undermine the message of authentic abstinence education.

Acting on What We Know

Research has shown us what factors lead to divorce, giving us hope to turn the tide of divroce if we only have the courage to implement necessary changes.

Fact Sheet on Divorce in America

Statistics about the prevalence and the effects of divorce on our society.

Facts About Marital Distress and Divorce

Marriage and Family Fact Sheet

John Paul II Consortium on Marriage and the Family

Lectures

The Cosmic Dance:

C.S. Lewis's joyful cosmology of femininity and masculinity

Women and the Priesthood:

Why "only boys can be the daddies"

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Specifications of the Commandments

2007-03-01T23:01:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Conversion

2007-02-21T23:00:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Sin

2007-02-20T23:00:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Vice & Sin: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questionos 71-89

Reading List: Supernatural Virtue

2007-02-19T22:59:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Theological Virtues: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 62
Eternal effects of the theological virtues: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 67, Articles 3-6
Gifts of the Holy Spirit: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 68
Fruits of the Holy Spirit: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 70

Reading List: Natural Virtue

2007-02-18T22:55:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Fortitude by DONALD DEMARCO:

Fortitude is an engaging virtue. And when it shines from a stage, and comes directly from the heart, unrehearsed, it can prove overpowering. "No, don't go," the audience chanted. "Talk to us! Talk to us!"

Virtue and Hypocrisy

The notion that “virtue is hypocrisy” is a curious one. Surely hypocrisy, the mere pretense of virtue, is not itself a virtue. We do well to avoid hypocrisy. But the way to avoid this universally detested vice is precisely through virtue.

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Virtues: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 55-56
Intellectual vs. Moral Virtues: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 57-60
Cardinal Virtues: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 61

Reading List: Character

2007-02-17T22:54:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Potbellied Heroics

Who Are the True Heroes? A Breakpoint commentary about what makes true heroism.

Lectures

Identity: The paradoxical nature of self

Summa Theologica

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Habits: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 49-54
Cause of virtue: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 63
Virtue as balance: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 64
Relationships between virtues: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 65-66
Eternal consequences of virtue and character: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 67, Articles 1-2

Reading List: Heaven & Hell, Angels & Saints

2007-02-16T22:01:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Aquinas and the Angels: There may be more to angels than it seems

Sex in Heaven: Imaging the fire of God's love

Time and Eternity: C.S. Lewis's insights on these intriguing topics

10 Uncommon Insights Into Evil from Lord of the Rings: Calls attention to Tolkien's great words reminding us about forgotten wisdom on evil

The Dark Side: Shining light on three kinds of evil: suffering, death and sin

Summa Theologica

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Angels: First Part (Prima Pars), Questions 50-64
Angels & Demons: First Part (Prima Pars), Questions 106-114
Heaven: First Part (Prima Pars), Questions 102
The state of the soul in heaven: Supplement to the Third Part (Supplementum Tertiæ Partis), Quesitons 91-99

Reading List: Judgment & Forgiveness

2007-02-15T22:41:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica
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The soul in judgment before the Resurrection of the Body: Supplement to the Third Part (Supplementum Tertiæ Partis), Questions 69-74
The judgment after the Resurrection of the Body: Supplement to the Third Part (Supplementum Tertiæ Partis), Questions 87-90
Purgatory: Appendix I & Appendix II

Reading List: Resurrection & Grace

2007-02-14T22:34:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Christ's Resurrection: Third Part (Tertia Pars), Questions 53-56
The Ascension: Third Part (Tertia Pars), Quesitons 57-59
Sacraments & Sacramental Grace: Third Part (Tertia Pars), Question 62
Grace: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 109-114

Reading List: Passion of Christ & Christian Meaning of Human Suffering

2007-02-13T22:28:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

When Worldviews Collide: Part One:

C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud: a comparison of their thoughts and viewpoints on life, pain and death

Lectures

Making Sense Out of Suffering:

Tackles questions related to the nature of suffering, evil and sin

The Problem of Pain:

A commentary on C.S. Lewis's brilliant exposition on the problems of suffering and evil

Till We Have Faces:

A commentary on C.S. Lewis's solution to evil, worked out in fiction. Also deals with the fascinating question "Why does God wear disguises?"

A Grief Observed:

C.S. Lewis's personal and honest account of the loss of his wife, and how God deepened his love

Summa Theologica

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Christ's Passion and Death: Third Part (Tertia Pars), Questions 46-52

Reading List: Teachings & Acts of Christ

2007-02-12T22:27:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Life of Christ: Third Part (Tertia Pars), Questions 27-45
Beatitudes: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 69
Law of the New Testament: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 106-108

Reading List: Incarnation

2007-02-11T22:27:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Christ as Son of God: First Part (Prima Pars), Question 33
Christ as the Word of God: First Part (Prima Pars), Question 34
Christ as the Image of the invisible God: First Part (Prima Pars), Question 35
Incarnation: Third Part (Tertia Pars), Questions 1-26

Reading List: Divine Law

2007-02-10T22:25:00.001-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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The Law of the Old Testament: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 98-105

Reading List: Covenant

2007-02-10T22:25:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Original Sin

2007-02-09T22:24:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Creation

2007-02-08T22:16:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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God's act of Creation: First Part (Prima Pars), Questions 44-46
Six Days of Creation: First Part (Prima Pars), Questions 65-74
Creation of Humankind: First Part (Prima Pars), Questions 75-102

Reading List: Happiness

2007-02-07T22:19:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Elvis, Solomon and the Search for Significance

Titanic-The Ship Of Dreams

Lectures

Christ's Concept of Happiness vs The World's: What is the meaning of happiness? How do you get it?

Desire: The innate hunger for total joy

The Good, the True and the Beautiful: C.S. Lewis on the three great transcendentals

Summa Theologica

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Reading List: Human Society & Interdependence

2007-02-06T22:17:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Civilization in Crisis:

We have become accustomed to take the secular character of modern civilization for granted.

Faith and Patriotism By Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput:

The theologian Karl Barth once said, "To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world."

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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The nature of law: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 90-92
Human Law: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 95-97

Reading List: Human Freedom

2007-02-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

Books

Online

Lectures

Fated and Free: The integration of predestination and freewill; an insightful perspective via Lord of the Rings. Download and listen for free.

History of Freedom: This lecture does not include a discussion of St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Augustine, so in my mind it is incomplete. However, it presents a fascinating review of perceptions of human freedom and the ramifications of those perceptions.

Summa Theologica
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Reading List: Human Emotions

2007-02-04T22:16:00.000-06:00

Books

Baars, Conrad W., Born Only Once: The Miracle of Affirmation. Quincy, Ill: Franciscan Press, Quincy University, 2001.
Baars, Conrad W. & Anna A. Terruwe, Healing the Unaffirmed: Recognizing Emotional Deprivation Disorder. Rev. ed. Suzanne M. Baars and Bonnie N. Shayne (eds.). Staten Island, NY: ST PAULS/Alba House, 2002. (Previously published by Alba House as Healing the Unaffirmed: Recognizing Deprivation Neurosis.)
Baars, Conrad W. Feeling and Healing Your Emotions. Rev. ed. Suzanne M. Baars and Bonnie N. Shayne (eds.). Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1979, Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2003.
Terruwe, Anna A. & Conrad W. Baars. Psychic Wholeness and Healing: Using ALL the Powers of the Human Psyche. Staten Island, NY: Alba House, 1981.

Online

The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Article
A pretty good article on boredom from a psychological and faith perspective.
USNews.com: Bernadine Healy, M.D.: Disorder or temperament?
Scientists compare Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder to the four temperaments first defined by Galen.
Scientific American: The Self-Esteem Myth.
Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, researchshows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior

Rages of the Age: On 'road rage,' 'air rage,' 'rink rage'
National Review, Feb 11, 2002, by Theodore Dalrymple

Emotional Deprivation Disorder:

Lectures

Church Documents

Summa Theologica

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First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 22-48

Reading List: Human Action

2007-02-03T22:43:00.001-06:00

Books

On Being Human by Fulton J. Sheen

Aquinas by F.C.. Copleston

On Free Choice of the Will by Saint Augustine: Book 1 & Book 2

Thomistic Psychology by Robert Edward Brennan

The Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea (Paperback) by Arthur O. Lovejoy

Online

"Catholic Encyclopedia: Human Acts." New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01115a.htm

Lectures

Summa Theologica

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Detailed explanation of the nature of human actions: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Questions 1-21

Reading List: Human Nature

2007-02-02T21:33:00.000-06:00

Books

50 Questions on the Natural Law by Charles Rice: pages 143-149

On Being Human by Fulton J. Sheen

Aquinas by F.C.. Copleston

On Free Choice of the Will by Saint Augustine: Book 1 & Book 2

Thomistic Psychology by Robert Edward Brennan

This book is out of print, but well the effort to find a used copy. It is also quite advanced. However, this is the only book that I have encountered that actually discusses the specific faculties and powers of human nature. After an introduction that covers the same material that we cover in class, Brennan discusses the faculties and powers that we have in common with plants, then those we have in common with animals, and finally those that are unique to human nature. He defines and discusses each faculty or power, and explains how they interact with each other.

The Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea (Paperback) by Arthur O. Lovejoy

A Study of the De Potentia of Thomas Aquinas in Light of the Dogmatik of Paul Tillich: Creation As Discipleship by Father Robert Barron - Order from Amazon.com

Online

"The Nature of Our Minds " by Fulton J. Sheen

The Truth of Things (Veritas blog)

Trying to Understand (Veritas blog)

Lectures

“Natural Law and Human Nature” by Father Joseph Koterski, S.J. - purchase online

Saint Thomas

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Discussion of the nature of the soul from Summa Theologica (Ia, 75) The entire question is worth reading. I selected a couple of target articles below:
(Ia, 75, 1) Definition of the soul
Whether the human soul is a substance - does the soul have existence in itself, or is it simply a property of the body?
(Ia, 75, 6) The soul is incorruptible (eternal)

Discussion on the incorporeal nature of the soul (that the soul is not dependent on the body) from Summa Contra Gentiles (II, 49)

That the human soul does not perish with the body from Summa Contra Gentiles (II, 79)

Reading List: Introduction

2007-02-01T15:38:00.000-06:00

Books:

50 Questions on the Natural Law by Charles Rice: pages 17-60; 125-139; 385-394

Charles Rice writes an understandable explanation of natural law that has easily become the favorite book among natural law catechists. This book is written in a question-answer format, with a slightly sceptical voice for the questioner and a patient, reasoned voice for the responder. This book is available through the apotolate.

Lectures:

Divine Truth—The Heart's Deepest Longing

A Refutation of Moral Relativism

Arguments for God's Existence

God's Existence

Philosophy: The Handmaiden of Theology

Lost in the Cosmos

Mere Christianity

Summa Theologica

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Eternal Law: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 93
Natural Law: First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundæ Partis), Question 94

Old Testament Law vs. Christ's Law

2006-03-22T15:54:00.000-06:00

Suffering

2006-01-25T15:57:00.000-06:00

Passion & Death of Christ

Sorrowful Mysteries

Agony in the Garden
Scourging at the Pillar
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying of the Cross
Death on the Cross

Paschal Lamb

Perfect sacrifice
Lamb promised by Abraham
Passover (Paschal)
Sacrificial Lamb

Paschal Mystery

Christ’s death & resurrection applied to our lives
Carry our cross
Suffer in love
Death to sin, resurrection in grace
Healing of fallen human nature
New nature of grace added to human nature

Glorious Mysteries

Resurrection
Ascension
Descent of the Holy Spirit
Assumption
Coronation

The Meaning of Suffering (Salvifici Doloris)

Important in the Modern World

Pope John Paul II
Mother Theresa
Euthanasia
Abortion
Worldview: secular humanism vs. Catholic humanism (personalism)

The Problem Of Suffering

Suffering Disproves God?
Why do innocent people suffer if God is . . .

All-loving
Omniscient
Omnipotent

Possible Answers:

God is not all-knowing (Deists)
God is not all-powerful (When Bad Things Happen to Good People)
God is not all-loving (God is vindictive, punishing for sin by inflicting suffering)
There is no God

False Assumptions:

Suffering comes from God (Suffering comes from Original Sin)
Suffering is always bad (Suffering can be beneficial)
Suffering is final (Suffering is transitory/temporary)

Christ Redeems Human Nature

2006-01-11T16:49:00.000-06:00

Human attribute	Natural goodness	Damaged by sin	Supernatural goodness
Human action	Knowledge & Consent Gain something good	enemies of human action = less human Disordered action – don’t always attain good	Every action = cooperation with god Cooperation with grace Merit: Able to attain supernatural goodness (grace)
Human emotion	Human emotions help us to identify good and evil, and motivate us to attain good and avoid evil. Truly human emotions are understood and controlled.	Sin makes it more difficult for us to understand and control our emotions. Our emotions can deceive us and motivate us to avoid what is good and to attain an inferior or a false good.	Blessed are the sorrowful – we are able to experience emotions that reflect the heart of God – to rejoice in God’s love, to sorrow over sin and ignorance, to be motivated to conversion and love
Human freedom	True freedom is the ability to know and choose the best possible good	Sin makes it difficult for us to identify and to consistently choose the best possible good.	Christ frees us from sin and makes it possible for us to gain incredible intimacy with God, the greatest good.
Human interdependence	Human beings need each other to meet each other’s needs.	Sin makes relationships with each other difficult, making it more likely that we will take advantage of each other rather than truly love each other.	Christ binds us together into One Body, giving our love for one another a supernatural nature. We live in perfect Love.

Christ's Teaching Fulfills Divine Law

2006-01-10T16:48:00.000-06:00

Old Law	Christ’s Law
External	Internal
Written on stone	Written in our hearts
Letter of the law	Spirit of the law
Goal is loving obedience	Goal is cooperation with grace à perfection

Revelation & Redemption/Recapitulation in the life of Christ

2006-01-10T16:47:00.000-06:00

How are these mysteries at work through Christ’s work?
Revelation: God’s love; God as source of goodness & healing
Redemption & recapitulation: model of perfect human nature (humility, prayer, poverty); healings & exorcisms undo effects of Original Sin

How are these mysteries at work through Christ’s word?
Revelation: Law of God; fulfillment of divine law
Redemption & recapitulation: teaches us to love perfectly; his words come with grace to live them out

Revelation & Redemption/Recapitulation in the life of Christ

2006-01-09T16:44:00.000-06:00

How are these mysteries at work through Christ’s Incarnation?
Revelation: Christ is God revealed to the human senses & through human relationships
Redemption & recapitulation: “Only humanity should pay the debt for human sin, but only God could pay the debt”

How are these mysteries at work through Christ’s hidden life?
Revelation: God humbles Himself to humanity = great love
Redemption & recapitulation: model of obedience to God; atonement for the disobedience of Adam (and us)

Incarnation

2006-01-02T22:01:00.000-06:00

Joyful Mysteries
Annunciation
Visitation
Nativity
Dedication
Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

Questions for thought

What is the significance of God performing daily human tasks, thinking with a human intellect, choosing with a human will, desiring with human appetite, sensing with human senses, experiencing human emotions?

How does the Incarnation elevate human dignity?

How does the Incarnation lead to a potential for a deeper intimacy with God than the original covenant?

Salvation History

2005-12-20T21:52:00.000-06:00

The Hebrew people alternatively alternated between faithfulness to the Covenant and failure to trust God. When they failed, they became weak and got into trouble. God sent heroes (Judges) to save them, and they would be faithful again for a while. Then the cycle would start over again.

Ultimately, the Hebrew people failed to trust God and demanded a king like other civilizations had. Having a king was fine as long as the king was faithful to God, but the seduction of power overcame them and even David (a man oafter God's own heart) takes advantage. Solomon marks the height and downfall of the kings, as he takes many wives and concubines and the country becomes seduced by foreign gods.

Eventually the Hebrew people become so weak, because they ignore the covenant, that they are scattered and exiled. Prophets rise up to try to bring them back to the Covenant. The prophets give the message that a savior will one day be born to renew the Covenant and establish the Kingdom forever in the line of David (and the priesthood in the line of Malchezedek.)

Moses

2005-12-19T21:44:00.000-06:00

God reveals to Moses His name, his power, and his Law

Purpose of Divine Law is to teach us to love God and neighbor

10 Commandments
Have no other gods but God
Do not take the Lord’s name in vain
Keep holy the Sabbath
Honor your father and mother
Do not kill
Do not commit adultery
Do not steal
Do not bear false witness
Do not covet your neighbor’s wife
Do not covet your neighbor’s goods

Two Great Commandments
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength
Love your neighbor as yourself

Law guides us away from the two obstacles with God: ignorance & sin

Sacrifices
In general, sacrifices were represented . . .
an offering of oneself to God in covenant
Sacrifice those things that are seen as more important than God (Summum Bonum)

Sacrifice of Communion: Repaired damaged relationships between people
Sacrifice of Atonement: Repaired damaged relationship between people and God
Holocaust: Complete offering to God

Abraham

2005-12-15T21:40:00.000-06:00

God makes a covenental promise to Abraham: descendents, land, worldwide blessing

God tests Abraham in order to teach him to trust: moving, promise of descendants past childbearing age, sacrifice of Isaac

Abraham struggles to trust: lies about wife being sister in Egypt, laughs at angels, has child through Hagar.

Abraham finally learns to trust in sacrifice of Isaac

Covenantal sign = circumcision (reminder of Abraham's lack of trust)
Covenant with Abraham: God raises up a people to teach them how to love Him and to draw all people back to the Covenant

Noah

2005-12-14T21:33:00.000-06:00

What is the meaning of the flood, recalling what water & the flood gates mean in the Creation story?

What does it mean that God "remembered" Noah? Hint: what does it mean that God knows something?

Why all the "sevens" in this story?

Covenant with Noah: God promises never to revoke the Covenant because of mankind's sin. This indirectly promises a savior, since a loving God would not allow the human Fallenness to continue.

Humanity given permission to eat animals = continuation of the Fall (loss of harmony between humanity & Creation).

Commandment given to humanity: Do not take human life

Salvation History

2005-12-13T21:21:00.000-06:00

How does God offer Adam & Eve mercy?

Revelation
What God has shared with humanity about Himself

Salvation History
The story of God’s plan to bring humanity back into a loving relationship with Himself
Part of revelation

Covenant
A sacred family bond between God and humanity

Cain & Abel
What causes Cain to sin (how does he follow the same pattern as Adam & Eve)?
How does God offer Cain mercy?

Effects of Original Sin

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Loss of Original Justice
Loss of harmonious relationships
Loss of Preternatural Gifts

The Fall

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Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil = power to define moral reality
Free choice - covenant
Knowledge of God’s mercy

Path of Sin

Rivalry
Pride
Concupiscence
Sin
Scapegoating

Preternatural Gifts

2005-12-08T21:16:00.000-06:00

Freedom from sickness
Freedom from suffering
Freedom from death
Potential for perfect freedom
Potential for perfect knowledge
Potential to know the meaning & purpose of work

Relationships that Caused Happiness

2005-12-07T21:10:00.000-06:00

Relationship with God

Creation = Covenant
Enjoyment of physical goods = benefit of God's love
God's presence
Cooperation in God's life: Co-Creation (technology, work)

Relationship with each other

Man & woman = complementary
Created to give selves to each other in perfect selfless love
Sign of Trinity

Relationship with Creation

Original Justice

Intellect rules the personality
Will follows the guidance of the intellect
Sense appetite controlled by the will

Before the Fall

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What was it like before the Fall?

Work
Nakedness
Naïve?

Image of God

Intellect
Will
Love

Seven Days of Creation

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God's first act of creation = to bring order to chaos = Law of Nature
God's second act of creation = to form the earth
God's thrid act of creation = to fill the earth with life

What comes before is preparation for what comes next. All of Creation is preparation for human life. All of Creation is meant to serve human life.

The Hebrew word for "seven" means "covenant." Creation is the first covenant - all of Creation is an expression of God's love for us.

"Seven" also means perfection. Human beings created on day six indicates that we are incomplete without the seventh day - the day of the Covenant. Without the Covenant, we are just animals (who were also created on the seventh day).

Fundamental Goods of Natural Law

2005-11-22T11:06:00.000-06:00

Truth

Love

Religion à meaning, transcendence

Freedom

Society

Relationships

Life

Survival

Personal growth

Dignity

Reproduction

Family

Identity

From "The Natural Law in Tradition and Ethics" (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/natural-law-ethics/#2.3)

The goods that Aquinas mentions in his account include life, procreation, social life, knowledge, and rational conduct. Grisez 1983 includes self-integration, practical reasonableness, authenticity, justice and friendship, religion, life and health, knowledge of truth, appreciation of beauty, and playful activities (pp. 121-122). Finnis 1980 includes life, knowledge, aesthetic appreciation, play, friendship, practical reasonableness, and religion (pp. 86-90). Chappell 1995 includes friendship, aesthetic value, pleasure and the avoidance of pain, physical and mental health and harmony, reason, rationality, and reasonableness, truth and the knowledge of it, the natural world, people, fairness, and achievements (p. 43). Finnis 1996 affirms a list much like Grisez 1983, but includes in it “the marital good” (p. 5). Murphy 2001 includes life, knowledge, aesthetic experience, excellence in work and play, excellence in agency, inner peace, friendship and community, religion, and happiness (p. 96). Gomez-Lobo 2002 includes life, the family, friendship, work and play, experience of beauty, theoretical knowledge, and integrity (pp. 10-23).

Freedom Questions

2005-10-25T11:03:00.000-05:00

Is freedom subjective or objective?
Freedom includes a sense of hope?
“Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all”?
Does more knowledge (intellect) add to freedom?
Is ignorance bliss?
Does freedom mean taking advantage of your opportunities?
Freedom = thc chance to do more things?
In what way does money make you more free?
Does freedom mean self-reliance?
Is freedom the ability to do whatever you want?
Is choosing not to do anything as much freedom to do what you want?
To what extent is freedom defined as lack of restriction?
Does freedom mean an absence of authority? Can authority contribute to your freedom?
Is freedom measured by the number of choices?
Does freedom mean the ability to do better – to meet your potential?
Can lack of restriction decrease freedom by causing us to be distracted?

Human Action Essay Organization

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Human Action Essay Organization

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Temperaments

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Temperaments: Mostly permanent, inborn dispositions that affect how we interact with the world, especially emotionally

Temperaments are part of our personality: who we are as individuals.

Temperaments are the part our personality that we cannot control easily.  Our character is the part of our personality that we can control.  It is created by our choices.

Phlegmatic:  rarely reacts emotionally.  Slow but steady, cool to the world. Prefers to follow
Choleric:  Never does anything half-way.  Is a doer, and has lots of energy.
Sanguine:  Emotional reactions are quick and strong, but don’t last long.
Melancholic:  quiet and thoughtful.  Emotional reactions are slow, but long lasting.

Temperaments influence our behavior and personality but do not determine (force) them.  We can use our intellect and our will to shape our temperaments so that we maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

Boredom

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Boredom is defined as Emotional reaction toward an experience that doesn’t match our definition of fun, interesting, or useful.  Since it is an emotion, it may be an accurate reaction to an objective reality.  We may be experiencing an even that does not meet our needs or desires to be intellectually stimulated and/or physically entertained.  However, as with all emotions, boredom may also have a subjective cause.  One such cause is a lack of mental flexibility.  Mental flexibility is the ability to see larger meaning of an experience.  Without mental flexibility we may miss out on the good that an experience has to offer us because we too narrowly define the experience.  For example, people with greater mental flexibility have greater senses of humor, mainly because they just catch more of the life around them and understand it more, so they catch more of the humor.

In our faith lives, if we lack mental flexibility we may define our faith by needing to go to Church, needing to go to Catholic school or catechism classes, needing to follow the rules, and needing to meet the demands for time and money.  If we narrowly define faith in this way, we will be bored with it. However, in this case our emotion is misleading us.  Faith is really a relationship with God, who created us, saved us, loves us, and desires us to live His life.  Faith could never fail to meet our needs and desires.  If we find faith boring, the problem is in us, not in faith.  This is one example of how boredom, and other emotions, can deceive us.

To be fully human, we need to think about all of our emotions and to decide how accurately they are pointing to authentic goods and evils.  If we are bored, we need to first determine if we are bored because the experience is objectively boring or because of some deficiency in our participation in the experience.   If the experience really is lacking, then we can choose to do something about it.  If we are lacking, then we should choose to change.  That is what it means to respond to boredom in a fully human way.

In our faith lives, remember – holiness is the antidote to boredom!

Emotions Can Deceive

2005-10-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

Emotions originate in the faculty of the sense appetite. The sense appetite mainly attracts us to physical pleasure, so our emotions draw us mainly to physical pleasure. Because emotions are grounded in physical pleasure, they ignore spiritual realities. Therefore, emotions can deceive us into thinking that something that is actually good for us is bad for us or that something that is really bad for us is good for us. In order to be more fully human (in order to apply natural law to our emotions), we must think about what our emotions are attracting us toward or moving us away from, and decide whether the perceived good or evil object is objectively good or evil.

Emotions

2005-10-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

Emotions: a movement of the sense appetite toward a perceived good or away from a perceived evil that causes a physical response

Emotions motivate us to attain a good or to avoid an evil.

Ordinary emotions = good that is easy to obtain (desire, joy) or evil that is easy to avoid (disgust, sorrow).

Emergency emotions = good that is difficult to obtain or an evil that is difficult to avoid

We can experience emotions toward spiritual goods and evils when we know the good or evil through our intellect and choose to experience the emotion (using the will).

Stages of human action

2005-10-03T20:23:00.000-05:00

Physical and Spiritual Needs and Goods

2005-10-03T20:22:00.000-05:00

Physical Goods/Needs

water

food

shelter

oxygen

clothing

friends

money

family

fire

style

fashion

technology

order

fun

reproduction / sex

pleasure

comfort

support

communication

exercise

Emotional happiness

Spiritual Needs

happiness

love

forgiveness

faith

God

respect

hope

support

Need to know that something can be known

knowledge

guidance

companionship

honesty

self-esteem

fairness

civility

self-knowledge

responsibility

courage

independence

intimacy

Law of God

2005-09-26T20:16:00.000-05:00

Law of God

God's order present in the universe

I. Law of Nature

Laws that govern non-rational Creation

A. Laws of physics

B. Biological Laws

C. Mathematical laws

D. Chemical laws

II. Moral Law

Laws that govern human nature and guide human free will

A. Natural Law

Based on human nature

Teaches us to become more human

Knowable through philosophy & science

B. Divine Law

Based on covenant

Teaches us to love God & neighbor

Knowable through divine revelation & faith

Soul, faculties, natural law

2005-09-22T18:41:00.000-05:00

Natural Law

Teaches us to become more human

Definition of Soul

The source of an organism’s life, nature and identity.

Definition of Faculty

The potential for an ability that comes from an organism’s nature

Shared With Plants & Animals

Nutrition

Growth

Reproduction

Shared With Animals

Emotions

Sense Knowledge

Sense Appetite

Sense Knowledge (the ability to know the physical world through our senses)

Sense Appetite (the ability to desire what is good and to avert from what is bad for us physically)

Unique To Humans

Intellect - Spiritual knowledge (the ability to know spiritual things)

Will - spiritual appetite (the ability to choose what is good and to avoid what is bad for us spiritually)

The Dark Side of Freedom

Human beings are the only creature that can choose to be less than their nature.

Maturity

Our goal is to fulfill our human potential – to become more human!

Defining Human Nature

2005-09-21T18:27:00.000-05:00

Rational soul

Number one in food chain

Intellect

Forgiveness

Sins

Faith

Humor

Free will

Vanity

Will power

Original sin

Love

Responsibility

Ambidextrous

Morals

Stubbornness

Logic

Ambition

Awkwardness

Culture

Friends

Respect

Reason

Social gratification

Kindness

Language

Pride

Guilt

Creativity

Brilliance

Drive

Compassion

Commerce

Civilized war

Conscience

Bling-bling

Government

Imago Dei

Sensitive soul

Emotions

Bone structure

Intelligence

Skills/talents

Pleasure

Fatigue

Communication

Internal organs

Senses

Coordination

Soul

Determination

Locomotion

Reproductive organs

Brain

Problem-solving

Feel pain

Instinct

Memory

Hair

Hunger

Sleep

Vegetative soul

Strength

Growth

Weakness

Reproduction

Disease

Cells

Environmental stress

Internal tissue

Scent

Need for nutrients, water, air

Ability of nutrition, respiration

Beauty

Uniqueness

Flaws

Reflexes

Movement

Problems

Intellectual Standards

2005-09-16T16:15:00.000-05:00

Intellectual Standards

Strategies of clear thinking & communication

Relevance

Answer the question at hand. All support is related to the thesis and minor premise.

Clarity

Make sure your words are communicating the ideas that you intend to communicate.

Precision

Define all relevant terms and describe key concepts so there is no doubt about their meaning

Accuracy

Support your thesis and minor claims with evidence, support, and validated facts

Significance

Focus on the most important issues, supports/evidences, and conclusions

Logic

Develop a clear line of thinking and reasoning. Explain how you arrive at your conclusions

Depth

Consider the complexities of the issue including what you bring to the dialogue

Breadth

Be open to and analyze other objections to your argument, other reasonable viewpoints, or other lines of reasoning.

Intellectual Virtues 2

2005-09-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

Intellectual Responsibility

Taking ownership of your own learning and of the consequences and implications of your conclusions

Intellectual Fortitude

Having the courage to present a theory for public analysis, to stand alone when you know you are correct & to admit when you are wrong

Intellectual Independence

Thinking things through for yourself & being aware of the influence of others on your thinking

Intellectual Perseverance

Continuing to search for truth even when faced with difficulties or when the thought process gets long, difficult, or cumbersome

Intellectual Virtues

2005-09-14T15:52:00.000-05:00

Intellectual Virtues

Intellectual Civility

Being in the argument process to discover truth, not just to win.

Arguing the issues without expressing anger or rudeness at the person with whom you are arguing.

Intellectual Fairness

Considering and respecting opposing points of view while focusing on finding the truth

Intellectual Honesty

Using your own thoughts in intellectual analysis and dialogue as much as possible & acknowledging what thoughts you borrow from others

Intellectual Humility

Presenting a valid theory and objectively testing whether or not it is legitimately supported. Truthfully acknowledging its strengths & weaknesses

Characteristic of Good Thinking

2005-09-13T16:07:00.000-05:00

Accountability:

Why do science and philosophy need to use a method in order to find objective truth?

What are the characteristics of good thinking?

Open to other ideas & opinions (both sides)
Only think about what is important
Listening & paying attention to others
Think all the way through
Organizing your thoughts
Keeping record of your thoughts
Not getting sidetracked - Stay with your point
Have a goal in mind, ultimately to find truth
Know consequences of your thoughts
Try to stay unbiased
Know enough about the subject
Make sure brain is functioning properly - health
Don’t act on impulse
Seek sources of information
Define the problem
Dig deeper – don’t stick with the first thought
Get all the information before you make a decision
Be able to support your theory with evidence

Methods for Verifying Objective Truth

2005-09-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

Scientific Method
1. Make observations & define problem
2. Form a theory
3. Test theory through experimentation
4. Publish results

Philosophical Method

Make Observations & define the problem
Form a theory
Test theory through reason & logic

Reason = Providing evidence in support of a thesis to elicit the consent of a reasonably skeptical audience

Logic: Clear thinking using a standard set of rules

4. Publish results

Opinion

Good opinions are based on observations/facts

Opinion = theory

A good opinion is tested. We should be willing to change it if proven wrong

Publicly express our opinion

Tools for Knowing Truth

2005-09-08T15:28:00.000-05:00

Tools for knowing objective truth
Science: the use of a standard method that applies sense observation and measurements to discover objective truth about the physical world

Philosophy: Philosophy is the use of a standard method that applies reasoning and logic to discovering the truth about the non-physical world

Faith: Trusting that what God has revealed about Himself is true

Scientific Method
1.  Make observations & define problem
2.  Form a theory
3.  Test the theory through experimentation
4.  Publish results

Philosophical Method
1.  Make observations & define problem
2.  Form a theory
3.  Test the theory through reasoning & logic
     a. Reasoning = providing evidence in support of a thesis to elicit the consent of a reasonably skeptical audience
     b. Logic: Clear thinking using a standard set of rules
4.  Publish results

Why do we need a method?

Enables you to count on other people’s findings

Keep our search for truth organized – ensure true findings

Helps eliminate bias

Methods simplify the process – reduce error

Narrows the information down to what is clearly understandable

Everyone does the same thing – we can verify the truth

Ensures facts rather than opinions

How do we know objective truth exists?

2005-09-07T11:23:00.000-05:00

How do we know that objective truth exists?

There needs to be an objective starting point. Nothing subjective can exist without some sort of objective source.

Objective truth has consequences. If we live as if objective truth does not exist, we will still experience the consequences.

Nihilism and subjectivism are not livable philosophies. If a philosophy is not livable, it is useless.
Truth is commonly experienced by everyone

Nature of Truth

2005-09-06T15:17:00.000-05:00

Subjective Truth: Truth as it is perceived through our point of view.
Objective Truth: Truth as it exists independently of our point of view.

Discussion: how can we defend objective truth against someone who does not believe in it?

Course Syllabus

2005-09-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Moral Theology I

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Jeffrey S Arrowood

E-mail: arrowoodj@mfldacs.net

Web Sites:

http://cchsmoraltheology.blogspot.com for daily class journal

http://www.schoolnotes.com/54449/arrowood.html for weekly homework schedule

Course Description

This course will begin with an examination of natural law, which God has built into our human nature, and our state of interdependence. Next, the course will explore salvation history and divine law to highlight the truths that we were all created to participate in a relationship of love with God and with others, that sin destroys those relationships, and that Jesus Christ is the only way those relationships can be restored. The course will focus on the role morality plays in cooperating with the graces of Jesus Christ to help us fill our vocation to holiness.

Materials Needed

Textbook Dear Brother Thomas (provided)

Bible

3-ringed binder

Loose leaf paper

Unit packet (provided at the beginning of each unit – if you lose the copy given to you, you will be required to purchase a replacement copy)

Key Concepts of the Course

This could be one of the most important classes you will ever take. The things you learn in this course will do more than fill your mind. They could actually affect the person you become by helping you to form your character. As in any class, and in any situation, attitude is everything. What you will get out of this class depends upon what you put into it. This class is filled with the truth of our faith. Even if I fail to reach or interest you as a teacher, you should be able to learn things that make you think, and that could change your life.

The main theme of this course is how to find true, lasting happiness. This semester will focus on how we know there is a difference between right and wrong, where our standards for right and wrong come from, and why morality should be an important part of our Christian lives. Next semester will cover how we follow the norms of Christian morality given to us by God through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition by focusing on specific moral issues. If you study carefully, you may just discover the answer to every person’s most fundamental question, “how do I find fulfillment in my life?” This answer evades most people. Most people never truly live their lives to the fullest, because they don’t take the time to study life’s instruction book in order to find out how it should really be lived. Will you be a member of the unfulfilled herd? Or will you strike out and be different in order to find fulfillment and eternal happiness? Something to think about…

It is important to note that rote memorization of facts is not the focus of this course. Rather, the focus of this course is on learning to think with the mind of the Church, with the mind of Christ, in our moral lives. By understanding the reasons that God gave us the moral law, and how specific moral laws fulfill those purposes, we will be better equipped to make wise moral decisions. Furthermore, by understanding why moral laws exist, we will be better able to defend them in the face of a culture that wants to ignore their importance if not their very existence.

Heavy focus will also be placed on good thinking skills. These skills are useful in all areas of our lives, not just in moral decision making. People who think deeply and carefully do not just passively absorb what is on television, in the movies, or in entertainment literature. They examine their life philosophies and ideas so that they do not unconsciously absorb the philosophies and ideas of those around them. As a result, they do not become products of forces they do not choose. They make up their own minds about what to think and who to become. A good place to start is to take charge of the ideas that you have about the moral life. Learn to think consciously, deliberately, and skillfully about your beliefs. This process can help you to remake your own mind and to understand its inner workings, to take control so that you can make it healthy and fit and fine-tuned. Whenever you are doing a task in or for this class, ask yourself, “would an independent observer watching me closely conclude that I am engaged in taking charge of my mind, or my ideas about morality, or would such a person conclude that I am merely going through the motions of doing an assignment, trying to succeed by rote memorization?”

Course Goals, Objectives, and Assessments

Goal 1: Students will learn about the role of clear and complete thinking in gaining a clearer understanding of moral theology.

Objective 1: Students will learn how the philosophical method leads to a clearer understanding of natural law and divine law

Objective 2: Students will identify how the scientific method supports natural law and divine law.

Objective 3: Students will learn about the interaction between faith, science, and philosophy.

Assessment: participation, presentation, essays, informal writing activities, quizzes, exams

Goal 2: Students will learn the role of natural law in making us more human, fulfilled, and happy

Objective 1: Students will apply natural law to human actions, needs, emotions, freedom, and society.

Objective 2: Students will learn how to form their character around human maturity.

Assessment: quizzes, tests, essays, participation, worksheets

Goal 3: Students will learn the role of divine law in helping us live the life of grace and charity, and in becoming fulfilled and happy

Objective 1: Students will learn why a relationship with God brings us true fulfillment and happiness.

Objective 2: Students will learn why gaining perfect happiness is hindered by sin and ignorance

Objective 3: Students will learn about the role of grace in living the divine life

Objective 4: Students will learn how divine law helps us to cooperate with grace to gain perfect happiness

Objective 5: Students will understand the relationship between divine law and natural law

Assessment: quizzes, tests, essays, participation, worksheets

Goal 4: Students will learn how to reason clearly and completely, especially in their moral decision making process

Objective 1: Students will learn intellectual standards and intellectual virtues

Objective 2: Students will apply intellectual standards and intellectual virtues to their own thinking process

Objective 3: Students will apply intellectual standards and intellectual virtues to the thinking process of others

Assessment: essays, in-class activities

Grading Policy

Grades will be figured based on a points system (not by weighted categories). The points students earn will be divided by the total points possible for a grading period. Since this course is designed to be flexible and guided by student progress and interest, the total points possible will be variable. Graded assignments will include the following:

Daily accountability. Students will be held accountable each day for previous material. This may take the form of a quick writing exercise, a longer Catechism exercise, or a pop quiz. These daily accountability exercises will not all be graded. Students will keep them in a portfolio and I will randomly grade about one per week.

Homework will be assigned periodically. These are usually textbook assignments or discussion prompts. Most of these assignments will be graded for completion and are worth 5 points each. However, I will randomly collect these assignments to take a more careful look at them. Collected assignments will be worth 10 points each.

Quizzes will be given periodically on the flash card study guide. These will measure memorization of key terms and concepts. Most quizzes will be worth 10-25 points, depending on the content being studied. If students are absent, they may make up quizzes only if their absence is excused. Students are responsible for seeing me for make-up quizzes.

Writing Assignments: If you want to learn how to think well, you need to learn how to write well. Students will be asked to perform a number of formal writing assignments throughout the year. These assignments will be graded according to a rubric. Most essays and writing assignments will come from the Thinking-it-Through Question (TTQ) Study Guide. I will grade a representative sample of the “daily” writing assignments after giving students a chance to revise them. Essay tests may also be given on the TTQ questions. Essays and writing assignments will be worth 50 points.

Participation is very important in this class, and is in fact the main activity of this class. You should consider it your opportunity to enter more deeply into the ideas presented in class. I will keep track of each person’s in-class participation and award points based on my observations and student self-assessment. Participation will be assessed according to how well it shows mastery of course goals and objectives. Participation is worth 25 points per quarter. Participation means:

Coming to class prepared with your binder, pen, loose leaf paper, and correction fluid ready.

Completing all of the homework. There is no such thing as “busy work” in this class. Home work assignments are all important. Please complete the assignments and do your best on each one.

Active, skilled participation means sharing thoughts, ideas, and questions that are well thought out and that meet the intellectual standards. There will be many opportunities – it’s the way I teach! If you don’t participate, the class does not move forward. Just remember – you could be listening to one of my boring lectures instead of having a discussion!

Taking advantage of participation alternatives, such as e-mailing comments to me or commenting on the blog, keeping a journal of your thoughts and periodically handing it in, discussing your questions with me one-on-one, etc.

Tests will be given at the end of each unit, worth 50-100 points. Each test may be some mixture of objective (multiple choice, true/false) questions from the Flash Card Study Guide and essays (2 or 3 short or 1 long) from the Thinking-it-Through Questions

Semester exams will be worth 150 points each, covering the material from the Flash Card Study Guides for all four units covered in the semester.

Self-evaluations will be worth 50 points each quarter. You will “make a case” for receiving a particular grade using criteria provided in class and citing evidence from your work across the semester. Your self-evaluations will not determine your quarter grade. Rather, you will be graded on how well you defend your case.

Scope and Sequence

1 Nature of Truth

1.1 Objective & subjective truth

1.2 Tools for knowing objective truth

1.3 Intellectual virtues & standards

2 Natural Law

2.1 Law of God

2.2 Human nature

2.3 Human Action: What makes a human action unique?

2.4 Human Emotions & Temperaments

2.5 True Freedom

2.6 Human social life

3 Divine Law

3.1 True Happiness

3.2 Covenant: Creation

3.3 Original Sin

3.4 Salvation history (focus on Moses and Divine Law)

4 Christ restores the covenant

4.1 Incarnation

4.2 Miracles

4.3 Model of love

4.4 Passion & Death

4.5 Paschal Mystery

4.6 Resurrection

4.7 Meaning of human suffering

5 Living the moral life

5.1 Sin

5.2 Precepts of the Divine Law

5.3 Grace & Conversion (sin and moral suffering)

5.4 Theological virtues

5.5 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

5.6 Virtues

6 Heaven: the fulfillment of the moral life

Teacher obligations for this class

To know the subject material and prepare handouts and lectures that will help students understand that material

To organize the course in a meaningful way so that knowledge builds over the semester leading to an increased sophistication and sensibility

To consider student concerns regarding time management when assigning homework and constructing requirements for the class

To guide classroom discussion so that each student has an opportunity to participate, and to welcome student participation with respect for all students as learners and persons

To grade fairly and to meet with students in conference to answer questions about grading or instructor comments on papers

Student obligations for this class

To read all assigned material and come to class prepared to discuss that material

To participate in all class activities. This includes being attentive when other students are speaking or making oral presentations

To complete all assignments on time, and to provide drafts and revisions of assignments as requested by the instructor

To respect all members of the class as learners, teachers, and as persons. To enter into respectful reasoned discourse in response to disagreements. As Christians, we are called to treat each other with dignity and charity. Common courtesy, awareness of each other’s needs, caring communication, and observance of the safety and comfort of those around us are all part of this call.

To enter fully into the learning process and to do your own work. Since the goal of this course is for you to become your own thinker, it is imperative that you do your own thinking and your own work. Essays need to be completely your own thought process. Plagiarism in part or in whole will result in a zero, not just a failure, for the paper. Suspected plagiarism that cannot be proven will be brought to the attention of the student, who will be given a chance to assert his or her thought process in dialogue with me. Quizzes and tests are meant to test your mastery of basic concepts, and must therefore be conquered through studying and your own mastery of the material. Copying or cheating on these quizzes or tests will result in a zero, not just a failure, of the quiz or test. The same is true for any assignment given in the course of this class.

To take pride in your work as a learner and scholar. Please type all assignments except informal in-class assignments. Please make all assignments neat and presentable before handing them in. Use only loose-leaf paper for collected assignments.

To make up any missed work. Any missed work due to excused absence is to be turned in on the day you return to school. Missed work due to incompleteness or unexcused absence will be penalized five points for every day it is late. Missed quizzes or tests due to excused absences are to be made up within one week of the student’s return to school. Missed quizzes or tests due to unexcused absences will be given a value of zero points in the grade book. If a student is absent prior to a test or quiz and feels unprepared, he or she may talk to me about taking the test or quiz at a later date. I will allow this only if I feel the absence posed a serious impediment to the student’s ability to study. Tests and quizzes will be announced ahead of time, so absence the day before is not automatically a valid excuse.

Cheating:

Students are expected to do their own work on all assignments and assessments. Copying assignments or cheating during assessments will result in a zero. The student may make up the grade by seeing me one-on-one and proving to me that he or she has learned the material.

Extra Credit

Extra credit takes the form of additional instruction. Students may come in for tutoring, perform vocabulary exercises, or retake a quiz in order to increase quiz scores. They may also re-write daily writing assignments in order to achieve a better grade. There is no extra credit available for tests or essay tests, however objective tests may be curved if necessary.

Communication

My preferred method of communication to students and to parents is e-mail and Internet communication. If you have access to a computer, please take advantage of the daily class journal and weekly homework schedule. You may also choose to have grade reports sent to you by e-mail and put onto an Internet grade report that you can access whenever you wish.

Absence Make-Up

If a student is absent, the best way to make up what was missed is by checking the daily journal Internet site and the weekly homework schedule. All necessary notes and any discussions notes recorded for the day will appear there, along with homework assignments. If Internet is not available, request an assignment sheet from the office. Students must take the initiative to make up missed work!