class information

class information

class objectives:

recognize and identify justice and injustice in daily life, the broader community, and in the world
describe and understand the Scripture’s mandate for Christians to work for justice
name and apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to contemporary issues and daily life
analyze situations and identify what type of response is warranted: charity or social action
identify and apply the Pastoral Circle to any justice issue

class structure:

We'll be exploring christian justice through the lens of the Pastoral Circle:
- our own experience or ideas about justice/injustice
- social analysis of what brought about the injustice and why it persists
- understanding what our faith tradition has to say about it through Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching
- developing an appropriate action plan that works to diminish or eliminate the injustice at an appropriate level

texts & materials:

Justice & Peace.
Joseph Stoutzenberger, Brown-ROA, 2000.
Challenge.
Mark Link, SJ. RCL, 1993.
Amazing Grace.
Jonathan Kozol, Amazon, 1996.
The New American Bible

The NAB is the preferred translation for this class because it is the one used in liturgies, but other translations may be used provided that the deuterocanonical/apocryphal books are included as well.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd edition.
United States Catholic Conference, 1999.
Webster's Student Dictionary, 2001. Or another suitable dictionary available at most bookstores.
Various handouts will be distributed throughout the semester; students are responsible for bringing these to class as required.
A pen for note-taking and in-class assignments. I recommend having four different colors of pens for various tasks (see "Effective Note-Taking" below). PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS IN RED INK.
Ten extra black pens (2nd period) or a box of facial tissue (3rd period) to donate to the class' "shared supplies".
A 1 1/2-2" binder with pockets with a 5 tab divider exclusively for this class. The dividers should be marked as follows: "Vocabulary", "Notes", "Study Guides", "Work Returned" and "Journals".
Loose-leaf paper should be brought to class EVERY DAY and used for ANY assignment that is expected to be turned in on paper. Paper that is torn, wrinkled, contains "fooskies" (you know, those little pieces that half-hang-on half-fall-off when you rip a piece out of a spiral notebook) or messy isn't QUALITY WORK nor YOUR BEST WORK, and therefore, is UNACCEPTABLE. You will receive no credit for work handed in this way. The fooskies also mess the room up.

assignments:

Exams
- a mid-term exam covering 3^rd quarter given the last week of the quarter (see CALENDAR) OR unit tests at the conclusion of a unit and a cumulative final exam (the class as a whole will decide which one).
- I offer four opportunities to prepare for exams:
- the final will be a project (see under "Projects" below)
Quizzes

these are generally given once a week. Some may be ungraded to simply check for understanding and the need for further practice for mastery
quizzes may cover class notes and discussions, readings or activities
if you are absent the day before a quiz, it is your responsibility to get the information (find someone you can rely on and whom you're willing to back up as well) and come prepared to take the quiz
the format of quizzes will vary depending upon the material covered that week in class, or since the last quiz
talking to others during a quiz, or looking at another's paper, violate good test-taking procedures and will earn you a zero (besides, it doesn't really show me what you know)
I will drop your lowest quiz each quarter

Homework

reading assignments will be given for most class periods. When an assignment has been given, come to class having read the assignment and ready to participate in the discussion---our class will be the richer because of it
all written homework assignments are to be TYPED unless otherwise specified. Plan ahead so equipment malfunctions do not hamper your accomplishments.

Class Participation

your participation grade will consist of the following:

active involvement in ORDERLY & RESPECTFUL class discussions
attentiveness (no sleeping, side conversations, or working on other things)
proper class preparation. There will be a limited number of pens and textbooks to sign-out if you do not have yours, so that we can get on with class.

Projects

throughout the semester, students will be engaged in completing various aspects of a Pastoral Circle Project:

Involvement
Students will share their own experiences related to a justice issue of their choice as well as their own thoughts on why they believe this injustice is perpetuated. Part of this will also include how one has come to know about this injustice through vicarious experience (books, movies, song, etc.).
Social Analysis
This part of the project focuses on how and why an injustice exists using social research. Understanding the causes will help us determine in what area change can be most effective.
Reflecting on Our Faith
This aspect examines what our faith says about the issue through Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching but also what the Church is doing to combat the injustice.
Social Action Plan
Students will develop an appropriate plan of action to address the injustice of their choosing. Particular attention will be given to how people can locally get involved with the issue.

for the FINAL EXAM, students will take all of the pieces of their Pastoral Circle Project and create a museum exhibit to educate and engage others with their justice issue. This exhibit will be open to the public and will require students to be in attendance one evening.

Late & Missed Assignments, Homework, Quizzes, & Projects

Any assignment not turned in on time on the date due receives a grade of zero unless prior arrangements have been made with me, or you have an excused absence, in which case, the assignment is due in accordance with the policies in the Student Handbook. ALL PROJECTS AND PRESENTATIONS, HOWEVER, ARE DUE ON THE DATE SPECIFIED REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE AN EXCUSED ABSENCE WITHOUT PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.
It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed when you are absent, and to be prepared when you return to class. Utilize this web-site and your classmates for this.
If you miss a quiz, be prepared to make it up on the day you return. Quizzes need to be made up outside of class time (before or after school, during homeroom, during my prep periods or your Study Hall).
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TELLING ME WHEN YOU HAVE MISSED SOMETHING. If you fail to do so, and sit quietly in class every day hoping I will forget about your missing grade, you will receive a zero on that task because you did not complete it. DO THE WORK! It will help reinforce what you need to know or a skill that will be useful later on.
I will be offering some limited assignments for extra-credit. These will be in the form of additional research, reading, and presentation on topics outside of the scope of our classroom discussions.

What I Won't Do

I won't give you busy or useless work. Everything I have planned for us works toward meeting the objectives listed above and you should be able to correlate it to what is on a unit's Study Guide or in response to your questions in class.
I won't give you pop quizzes that count for a grade. I may give you one to see where the class is at with a particular concept or skill, but it won't be graded.
I won't give you homework every day of the week. This does not count Prayer Journals or the Projects---these are in addition to homework. I realize you have a life outside of this class. If not, you should.

grading:

grades in this class are determined by percentages of points earned out of points possible. Consult the Student Handbook for the school grading scale.
Students should keep track of their own progress with a grading sheet so you know where you stand at all times. I will post the previous week's effort grades at the beginning of a new week.
- To calculate your grade, add up all of the points you have earned and divide that by the total points possible for tasks to date.
Please realize that simply completing an assignment earns only a "C" grade---you are just doing the minimum; a "B" grade is earned by going beyond expectations in some areas, and an "A" is earned by being superior in all or most aspects. GO FOR 100+%!
For assignments I return to you late---more than five school days after you have turned it in (10 school days for major projects and papers) students will receive bonus points, not to exceed 100% of the points possible on the assignment. This is to give you timely feedback as well as to hold me accountable.

service hours:

ALL students at Lansing Catholic are required to complete 5 hours of approved community service work to receive credit for Theology each quarter. Failure to complete these hours will result in an "F" grade for the quarter and could result in a failing grade for the semester. The ENTIRE SEMESTER would need to be made up during summer school.
These hours need to be with an agency (generally non-profit) and not assisting a parent or immediate family member.
A Service Covenant is due by February 1 for 3^rd quarter (April 18 for 4^th) and the Supervisor Evaluation Form is due by March 14 for 3^rd quarter (May 23 for 4^th).
Students MUST complete a portion of their service this semester with an agency that is addressing the justice issue the student's project is focusing on.
For ideas on service opportunities, consult the bulletin board the board in class or listen to announcements.

conduct expectations:

Daily Routine

When the second bell rings everyone should be in their seat SILENTLY writing on the journal assignment of the day. Talking during these or doing other things is disrespectful and can't happen.
Class discussions or activities
Recap of the day's lesson or major points
Make the room look great for the next class

Students will be considered tardy if they come to class unprepared or they arrive after the second bell. You will not be admitted without a slip from the Attendance Office, Front Office, or the teacher who held you over. If the door is shut, please do not knock, wait there until whatever we are doing is finished and then I will open the door for you after we have finished the journal. Those who an unexcused tardy will receive a "zero" for the journal assignment that day.
Students who come to class out of the proper dress code will be asked to leave to correct the problem. Learn to dress professionally for your role.
Bathroom breaks are a disruption during class and should only be taken if it is an emergency, which means this should happen RARELY.
Listening is a crucial skill to develop and is respectful of others. Only one person should be talking at a time. Side conversations are RUDE and unacceptable.
Cheating in any form is unacceptable. If you cheat:

you will receive a zero on the assignment/quiz
your parents and the assistant principal will be contacted/notified
you will still need to complete the assignment to work towards mastery of the material but it will be for no credit

Class does not end when the bell rings, it ends when I have dismissed the class after making sure it is neat and orderly for the next group just as you found it. Don't shut your brain off early!
You may not leave the room to go to the computer lab or library during this class, regardless of what we are doing, unless I have arranged for you to do something for this class. Don't even ask.
The name of this class is THEOLOGY. That's what we will be working on, not English Lit, Trig or Biology. Manage your time so you can work on those classes OUTSIDE of this class. Something BAD WILL HAPPEN to your work and books from other classes if they show up in my room.
Any racist or other derogatory comments will not be tolerated.

effective note-taking:

Your note-taking abilities and the orderliness and completeness of your notebook are essential components to your success. Writing things down helps to reinforce ideas and information.
Make sure you have a notebook EXCLUSIVELY for Theology, and make sure you bring it to class EVERY day.
I suggest writing in pen, since pencil is more likely to smear. I also suggest you use different colored pens, like red to identify important points, black for most of your notes, blue to note deadlines or due dates, and green for your own ideas or reflections based on the notes and presentations.
Each day that you come into class, if we are taking notes, write the date at the top of the page on which your notes will be written. Start a new sheet with the correct date, for each day.
If you are absent, you should make sure you leave space in your notebook for missed days, and get any notes you have missed AS SOON AS YOU RETURN. You are responsible for missed notes.
Keep your notebook neat and your handwriting legible.
Your notes should contain everything I write on the board, AND ANYTHING I SAY THAT FURTHER EXPLAINS WHAT IS ON THE BOARD, OR HELPS YOU TO BETTER UNDERSTAND.
Make sure how you write your notes will help you make sense of them later on. I will explain a concept called, "Category Note-Taking" that may help you, later in class.
Take notes along-side your Study Guide so you can make correlations between what I'm asking you to remember and what information is coming your way.
Remember! The notes on this site and those written on the board are not comprehensive. Just writing down what you find there may not be all you need for quizzes and exams. You need to analyze what is being said and written on the board.

succeeding in this class:

The key to success in this class is taking thorough notes. You must come in prepared to take notes; you must review your notes every night to reinforce what we covered in class; you must be sure you understand what you have written. (See "Effective Note-Taking" above)
Study Guides will be given out with each unit. Review your notes and the day's class in light of these.
If something does not make sense, ASK QUESTIONS, or . . . make sure you look very, very confused!
You must also come to class having read the assignment for the previous night. If you do not read, you cannot do well on quizzes and you cannot participate in class discussion, two essential components of your grade (that's two strikes). Use some of the reading strategies we'll discuss in class to make sure you are comprehending what you're reading.
Go for QUALITY WORK. Don't simply do the assignment just to get it done, its tempting but you're worth more than that. Give me your best stuff. This will take DISCIPLINE and TIME MANAGEMENT. If you need tips on these, I can give you suggestions (I still struggle with these, too).

contact me:

Telephone
My office/voice-mail number is 267-2115. The best time to catch me in person would be during lunch or after 2 p.m. most weekdays. I'll be happy to return your call within 24 hours.
At School
I am available before and after school or during 5th & 7th periods in Room 109 or next door in my office which is Room 108. If you can't find me in my office have the Front Office page me (they can only do this outside of regular school hours). Parents should schedule an appointment.
e-mail
School e-mail can be accessed from this page by clicking on the navigation bar to the left. If you need my address it is: moore@lcchs.org or moore@lansingcatholic.org.