BOSTON COLLEGE. Exploring Catholicism: Tradition and Transformation I. TH 023 Section 5 Gasson 202. Fall Term Tu/Th 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.

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1 BOSTON COLLEGE Exploring Catholicism: Tradition and Transformation I TH 023 Section 5 Gasson 202 Fall Term Tu/Th 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Instructor: Dr. Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM Office: 21 Campanella Way, Rm 361 hinsdale@bc.edu, Office Hours: Tu 3-5; Wed 3-4 and by appointment Teaching Assistant: Jaime Vidaurrazaga Off: 21 Campanella Way, Rm 360 vidaurjb@bc.edu, Office Hours: Th 10:30-12:00 Course Description: This term covers the first part of a two-semester course which explores of the vision, beliefs, practices and challenge of Catholicism. In this semester we will look at three themes: 1) human existence lived in the light of the mystery of God and Jesus Christ; 2) how the Catholic church formulates its beliefs and doctrines; 3) the distinctive practices of Catholic Christianity, with a special emphasis on the U.S. Catholic experience. Methods: Lecture, discussion, field assignments, videos, short reflection papers, midterm and final. Required Texts: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha (RSV) *Will be used in the Spring* Ellsberg, Robert. All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets and Witnesses for Our Time. New York: Crossroad, (Abrev: AS) Gaillardetz, Richard R. By What Authority: A Primer on Scripture, the Magisterium, and the Sense of the Faithful. Collegeville, MA: Liturgical Press, (Abbrev: BWA) Fisher, James T. Communion of Immigrants. A History of Catholics in America. Oxford: Oxford University Press, (Abbrev: CI) McCormack, Patrick T. A Banqueter s Guide to the All-Knight Soup Kitchen of the Kingdom of God. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, (Abbrev: BGASK) Rausch, Thomas. Catholicism in the Third Millennium. 2 nd ed. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, (Abbrev: CTM) *Will be used in the Spring* Soelle, Dorothee and Luise Schottroff. Jesus of Nazareth. Tr. John Bowden. Louisville: John Knox Press, (JN)

2 *Other required, short readings will be found on WebCT. Each student is also expected to read the saint/prophet for the day from All Saints beginning with September 14th. A creative quiz will be held either November 1 st or 2 nd. Requirements/Evaluation: To get the most out of this course, it is expected that each student will spend a minimum of one hour of study per credit hour (i.e., 3 hrs) each week. Class attendance is required unless excused by your class Dean. Grades will be based on the following criteria: (a) participation (in addition to attendance, active participation in small group and WebCT discussions) 15% (b) Three five-page reflection papers (typed, double-spaced, no larger than 12 pt.) kept on 8 1/2 x 11 in.) 35% Due: Sept. 28, Nov. 9, Nov. 23 rd (c) midterm examination 25% (d) Final Jeopardy (a small group oral exam/experience scheduled on the assigned exam day for this course, December 16) 25% * No late papers or make-up exams will be accepted except in cases certified by the class Dean. Extensions will be considered only if they are negotiated in advance. Frequent unexcused absences (more than three) or late papers will be penalized 1/2 grade. There are a few outside lectures or videos that students are required to see/ attend. If you have a conflict, please see me well in advance to make other arrangements. ** Small group seminar discussions may be held several times during the semester on Thursdays. If the class size is over 20, half will come at 9:30 and the other half will stay until 10:45. On that day there will be a 45 minute lecture for all from 9:30-10:15. Those who stay later will be able to come to class ½ hr later (9:30 a.m). Reflection papers are due at the time of the seminar meeting. If you do not have your reflection paper finished, it is better to attend the seminar without it, than to skip, since a large part of your participation grade comes from the seminar. *** All students are expected to have /internet access and to check regularly for announcements. There will be a WebCt page for this course and you are expected to check it prior to each class. You will be expected to do certain brief assignments via WebCT which count towards your participation grade. You are reminded that Boston College has a strict Academic Honesty Integrity policy regarding cheating, plagiarism and collusion. It can be found in the BC Catalogue, p. 33, or at: 2

3 SYLLABUS (subject to change before 9/15) **Please bring texts under discussion with you to class** Week I Topic: 9/7 Introduction and video (Reflections on Vatican II, Pt. 1) 9/9 Our Context for Studying Catholicism: Vatican II Read: CTM, 1-18; Reflections on Vatican II, Pt. 2 II 9/14 Revelation, Canon, Inspiration Read: BWA, xi-xv; 1-39 **Bring Bible to class!! Genesis 1:1-3:24; 12:1-19:38 Exodus 1:1 15:21; 20:1-21 9/16 Faith and the Believing Community Read: CTM, 19-31; Isaiah 1:1-17; 10:1-4; 58:3-7 Jeremiah 1:4-19; 7:3-7; Amos 5:7-12; Micah 5:1-9 III IV 9/21 Faith and the Believing Community Read: CTM, The Gospel of Mark; See Breaking the Waves (video) 9/23 The Christian Story Read: JN, 7-36 Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2; Protoevangelium of James (on WebCT or 9/28 The Christian Story [Paper #1 due] Read: JN, Lk 7:36-50; 8:1-3; 13:10-17; 24:1-12 Mk 16:1-11; Mt 16: 13-19; 26: 31-35; 27:55-56; 28:1-15 John 11:1-37; 20:1-18; 21: /30 The Christian Story Read: JN Mt 5-7; Lk 4:14-30; Mt 20:10-16; Lk 15:

4 V 10/5 The Christian Story Read: JN, Mk 4:30-32; Luke 10: 25-37; 15:11-32; Daniel 7:1-27; Mk 13; Mt 24: /7 The Christian Story Read: JN, Luke 24: Corinthians 15:1-58; Acts 9:1-19 VI 10/12 Catholicism: A Living Tradition Read: CTM, /14 Scripture and Tradition Read: BWA, VII 10/19 Midterm Exam 10/21 A Visible Church Read: CTM, VIII 10/26 Catholic Teaching Office: Pope and Bishops Read: BWA, /28 Dogma and Doctrine Read: BWA, IX 11/2 All Saints Creative Quiz * 11/4 The Authority of the Believing Community Read: BWA, X 11/9 Catholics in the New World/Building a Community Read: CI, 1-42 [Paper #2 due] 11/11 Immigrant Church/ An American Catholicism? Read: CI,

5 XI 11/16 Reformers and Crusaders/Uneasy Triumph Read: CI, /18 Today s Catholics: A People Divided? Adrift? Read: CI, BWA, XII 11/23 The Sacramental Principle Read: CTS, [Paper #3 due] 11/25 Happy Thanksgiving! 11/30 Eating and Drinking Read: BGASK, 1-34 See: video/dvd: Babette s Feast XIII 12/2 Breaking Bread Read: BGASK, /7 Real Presence Read: BGASK, /9 Sacrifice, Scapegoats, and Dangerous Memories Read: BGASK, /16 Final (Exam) Jeopardy 5