0707-698/798-08 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES IN HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

                        FOUNDATIONS OF CATECHESIS                                Francis J. Buckley, S. J.

 

June 17-July 5, 2002    8:30-11:10 AM       Room 308             Office hours by arrangement

 

June 17        (1)  INTRODUCTION TO COURSE   -   CATECHETICAL LANGUAGE  

              Key principle in religious education: KNOW PERSONS…Positive & negative exp.

              Language:  faith, evangelization, catechism, catechetical, catechesis;                                          cognitive, affective, and behavioral.  What do I want?  40 Years after Vatican II.

 

 Assignment     Read:  NCD, Preface and ch. I; Catechesi Tradendae  I – II.

 Dialogue, Ch. 12-13.  Write a personal story on a catechetical experience (2-4 pages)

 

June 18       (2)   MAIN APPROACHES IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/ CATECHESIS  

              Historical overview of key trends and movements.

              Present approaches and mentalities in religious education.

              Critique of the classic, kerygmatic, experiential  approaches;

              their values and weaknesses.  When and how to use them.

 

 Assignment     Read:  NCD, ch. II, III, V, VIII, # 173-184; Catechesi Trad. III-IV

              Summarize three or four catechetical principles contained in these chapters which                          you consider essential. What obstacles do you perceive in applying them?

 

June 19      (3)   BUILDING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY 

The art of building Christian communities in parish organizations.  How to deal with conflict.

 

Assignment:   Read:  Evan. Nunt., # 57-58; NCD, # 25, 70, 94, 181-186, 208-209. Dialogue, Ch. 11, 24. How facilitate community building with a specific group?

 

June 20       (4)   CULTURAL DIMENSION IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

Meaning of enculturation: how are values acquired? Appreciating cultural values & customs.

Meaning of acculturation: importance of value clarification.

 

 Assignment:  Read: NCD, Ch. IV; Dialogue, Ch. 1, 3, 21, 23.  List cultural values and counter values in society today. How does the Gospel relate to them?

 

June 21       (5)   PRE-EVANGELIZATION and EVANGELIZATION 

              Inculturation : stages of catechesis…Popular religiosity; syncretism; superstition.

              Affirmation of what is good; purification of evil.

 

Assignment:   Read:  Dialogue, Ch. 5-6, 20, 25.  Write a summary of the popular religiosity your people practice, or you perceive among the people you work with.

 

June 24    (6)  CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Revelation; development of doctrine; principal elements of doctrine.

 

Assignment       Read: NCD, Ch. III, IV, V.   Bring at least three questions for clarification, after having researched them in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

June 25     (7)  CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Principal elements of doctrine.

 

Assignment       Read: NCD, Ch. III, IV, V.    Bring at least three more questions for clarification, after having researched them in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

June 26       (8)   CATECHETICAL METHODS and TECHNIQUES  

              The art of teaching. Communication skills.  "Pyramid of learning"

              Dealing with discipline problems.

 

Assignment    Read NCD, Ch. V, VIII.  Cat. Trad. Ch. V, VI, VII.                                                Write a summary of guidelines for teaching methods.

 

June 27      (9)   DYNAMIC OF THE THEOLOGY OF LIBERATION

              Principles of Theology of Liberation applied in catechesis:

              critical awareness of socio/economic situations and cultural

              conflicts.  Growth in responsible freedom.  Christian praxis.

 

Assignment     Read:  Dialogue, Ch. 19.   Make a schematic plan of action for an outreach group following the dynamic of "See"- "Judge" - "Act"

 

June 28       (10)   THE CHALLENGE of ADULT CATECHESIS

 Special aspects/ factors in adult catechesis…secularism and pluralism; internet.

 Rise of a global, post-literate, media-driven culture.  Using media critically.

 

Assignment     Read:  Dialogue, Ch. 2, 21, 25; Growing, Ch. 9-13, 19-20.  Present (format ad lib) how you see pluralism, secularism, media enriching your parish.

 

July 1    (11)   SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION -- REMOTE AND IMMEDIATE

 Sacramental life at home - signs and symbols; cultural customs and religiosity.

 Immediate preparation – requirements; Involvement of parents and god-parents.

 Baptism - Reconciliation - Eucharist – Confirmation – Marriage.

 Criteria to evaluate existing parish programs.

                           

Assignment:   Read NCD, ch. VI; Growing, Ch. 1, 3, 5, 7-8; Dialogue, Ch. 18. What sacramental directives exist in your parish?  What changes do you suggest?  Why?

 

July 2       (12)   FORMATION OF CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE  

              Moral stages; faith development.  Meaning and use of freedom.

              Helping children and teenagers and adults become responsible.

              Facing the challenge of mass media and science.

 

Assignment  Read NCD, pp. 55-61, 85-97, 113-116; Growing, Ch. 2, 4, 12, 16-18; Dialogue, Ch. 14-17.  Any changes needed in your parish or diocese? Why?

July 3       (13)   RECRUITING, TRAINING, EVALUATING CATECHISTS 

Recruiting and training volunteer catechists.  Requirements.

Spiritual, catechetical and pedagogical formation; evaluation of catechists.

 

Assignment:  Read: Evan. Nunt., # 67-73; NCD  ch. IX-XI;  Cat. Trad. , ch. IX – end

Write an ad and a job description to recruit volunteer catechists.

 

July 5       (14)  REVIEW OF KEY CATECHETICAL PRINCIPLES 

Evaluate class content and process.  How use the Catechism of Catholic Church?

Term paper due on a catechetical topic.

 

                        GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

 

GROUP A:

 

GROUP B:

 

GROUP C:

 

GROUP D:

 

June 18                 A=PRAYER; B=CRITIQUE

         19                 C=CRITIQUE; D=PRAYER

         20                B=PRAYER; A=CRITIQUE

         21                 D=CRITIQUE; C=PRAYER

 

         24                 A=PRAYER; B=CRITIQUE

         25                 C=CRITIQUE; D=PRAYER

         26                 B=PRAYER; A=CRITIQUE

         27                 D=CRITIQUE; C=PRAYER

         28                 A=PRAYER; B=CRITIQUE

 

July  1                 C=CRITIQUE; D=PRAYER

         2                 B=PRAYER; A=CRITIQUE

         3                 D=CRITIQUE; C=PRAYER

         5                 A=PRAYER; B=CRITIQUE

        

 Prayer  - opening and closing - can be poetry or prose, music, dance

No more than three minutes.

 

 Critique: briefly covers the process of the previous class:  what happened; what worked or not and why;  mood; creative suggestions, etc.  No more than three minutes.

 

Each day everyone should be ready to give a brief report of the content  of the previous day: the 3 most important points; points which need more clarification.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

 

DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II, edited by W. Abbott, America/Association Press.

 

Catechetical Documents: A Parish Resource, Liturgy Training Publications, 1996

[Includes Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975; John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 1979;

 Sharing the Light of Faith: The National Catechetical Directory, 1977; General Directory for Catechesis, 1997]

 

Buckley, Francis J., S.J.,  The Church in Dialogue: Culture and Traditions, University Press

of America, 2000

       ,  Growing in the Church: from Birth to Death, University Press of America, 2000

 

Recommended reading :

 

Chupungco, Ansgar,OSB  Cultural Adaptation of the Liturgy, Paulist Press, 1982

Dujarier, Michael, The Rite of Christian Initiation, Sadlier, 1979

Freire, Paulo, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Seabury Press, N.Y. 1973

Groome, Thomas, Christian Religious Education, Jossey-Bass, 1999

Gutierrez, Gustavo, A Theology of Liberation, Orbis, Maryknoll, 1973

Kavanaugh, John, Following Christ in a Consumer Society, Orbis, 1987

Killen, Patricia, and de Beer, John, The Art of Theological Reflection, Crossroad, 1994

Larson, Roland E., Values & Faith, Winston, 1976

Lonergan, Bernard, Method in Theology, Crossroad, 1972

Marthaler, Berard, Catechesis in Context: A Commentary on the General Catechetical

Directory, USCC, 1971

Nouwen, Henri J.M.  Creative Ministry, Image Book, N.Y. 1978

Sarno, Ronald A., Using Media in Religious Education , Rel. Ed.  Press, 1987

Schreiter, Robert,  Constructing Local Theologies , Orbis, 1985

USCC,  Norms and Guidelines for Catechetical Planners , Washington, D.C. 1980

Warren, Michael, ed., Source Book for Modern Catechetics, St. Mary’s Press, 1997

 

PAPERS

 

Consult the library REFERENCE ROOM for encyclopedia and "dictionary"

articles, which also provide bibliographies. The library RESERVE ROOM has

copies of some required reading books. The library PERIODICAL ROOM has

bibliographical tools and periodicals.

 

Follow  the standard form for social sciences or Alan Heineman & Hulon

Willis, WRITING TERM PAPERS, Harcourt. Include a bibliography.  (Footnotes may be put at the end.)  References to the Bible should be by version, book, chapter, verse. Papers must be done on computer in 12-pt. type, boldface, and checked for spelling and grammar, and a disk submitted with each draft version of the paper. Each term paper should be the equivalent of at least ten typed pages.

 

GRADING:  Based on regular attendance and quality of participation in class, on the extent and quality of research and critical judgment shown in the papers, & on the creativity and judgment in designing and presenting class reports.

 

A=  Outstanding (Beyond a thorough grasp of text and lectures, shows ability to relate material to life and to other subject areas and to form personal synthesis; shows excellent critical judgment in the area and in choice of bibliography; highly polished skills in speaking and writing; papers could be published; excellent candidate to do doctoral work.)

 

B=  Satisfactory (Meets all major course competencies on graduate level: beyond a thorough grasp of text and lectures, shows ability to relate material to life and to other subject areas and to form personal synthesis; shows very good critical judgment in area and choice of bibliography; very good oral and written expression.)

 

C=  Meets minimum standards for obtaining graduate credit.

 

F=  Failure, does not meet minimum standards for obtaining graduate credit.

 

                        FINAL EXAMINATION

 

1. What did you learn from this course?  In what were you reinforced?

 

2. How did you change?  What made you change?

 

3. What ideas will you put into practice in your ministry?

 

4. What criteria will you use to evaluate the changes you make?

 

Mail Final Examination to:

 

Francis J. Buckley, S.J.

2600 Turk Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94118-4347

 COGNITIVE OBJECTIVES:

 

    . Knowledge of the basic themes and trends in Theology and Pastoral Ministry.

    . Awareness of the relevance of cultural diversity to theological expression.

    . Awareness of the major areas and trends of interdisciplinary theological dialogue and

      critical reflection on significant issues involving other intellectualdisciplines.

    . Awareness of interreligious and ecumenical dialogue.

    . Awareness of major issues confronting the Church today.

    . Familiarity with essential theological and catechetical resources and tools.

    . Familiarity with the methods and content of various theological schools and traditions.

    . Familiarity with the purpose & methods of catechesis, strengths and weaknesses.

 

AFFECTIVE OBJECTIVES:

 

    . sensitivity to religious values.

    . appreciation of one's own and other religious traditions.

    . appreciation of the beauty and limits of theological syntheses.

    . enthusiasm about theology and catechesis and their role in the Church.

    . appreciation for what belief in God means for human dignity.

     . a sense of responsibility to others and for the environment.

    . appreciation of self as a child of God, for whom Jesus gave his life.

    . appreciation of others as God's children, for whom Jesus gave his life.

 

BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES:

 

    . ability to apply historical-critical and literary principles of interpretation to

       scripture, church documents, and other theological and catechetical texts.

    . ability to do research with critical analysis and judgment.

    . ability to use creative imagination in forming personal theological syntheses,

      integrating life experience with theological interpretation,

      and integrating theological principles with action.

    . ability to write and speak clearly and effectively on religious topics.

    . ability to engage fruitfully in theological interdisciplinary dialogue.

                          HOW TO READ A BOOK

 

A. General Orientation:

    Date (Bibliography)

    Preface

B. Structure:

    Table of Contents

    First & last paragraphs of chapter...headings

    Topic sentences of paragraphs

C. Mark it:

    Underline key themes

    Marginal notes & questions

    Circle matters to be explained

D. Critique it:

    1) What are the major issues discussed?

    2) Is the approach sound, plausible, acceptable? Why?

    3) What assumptions are made?  How are they justified?

    4) How does this fit in with your experience?

    5) How does this fit in with other authors?

    6) Do you agree or disagree?  Why?

    7) What conclusions follow--for you, for others?

    8) How will you act on this?

 

                             HOW TO STUDY

1. Organize time

2. Start with hardest material

3. Race the clock

4. Analyze & synthesize: find main points & interrelations

5. Test yourself: ask & answer questions

 

NAME                                     STUDENT ID #_______________________

 

ADDRESS                                  

 

E-mail                                                              TELEPHONE

 

ETHNIC BACKGROUND                                 RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND

 

ADVISOR                              

 

Any learning problems I should know of?

 

Groups which significantly affect your attitudes, values, behaviors:

 

Books you read last month:

 

What parts of the newspaper do you read?  How often?

 

Magazines you read last month:

 

Movies you saw last month:

 

TV programs you saw last month:

 

Favorite type of music:                                Favorite color:

 

How many hours a day do you spend on average:

. studying?                              . talking with friends?

. working?                               . in sports?

. in email?                               . on the internet?

. playing computer games?     . in other forms of recreation?

 

What are your favorite sports?

 

What are your other favorite forms of recreation?

 

What human problems are you most interested in?

 

What religious issues are you most interested in?

 

What values do you see in this particular course?

 

What can you bring to the community of this class? (What are you good at?)

 

Think about your personality, your relationships with others, your lifetime of experiences, your hopes, your dreams, your understanding (from this course) of what religious education and pastoral ministry are all about.

 

On the other side, list ten things that are important to you that you would like to work on to improve, to perfect, or to change during your program of study.

 

 

[Bibliography for Course]

[Academics]