Syllabus and Assignment Schedule

Reln 200-1;  Spring 2005

Prof. Kloska

 

Class

Date

Pgs.

Assignment

Topic

1

Jan 11

0

Introduction; Adler: How to Read a Book; Love of Learning

Critical Thinking / Love of Learning

2                     

Jan 13

28

Severe Mercy pp. 11-39

Conversion and God’s Mercy

 

3

Jan 18

60

Severe Mercy pp. 40-100

4

Jan 20

24

Severe Mercy pp. 101-125

5

Jan 25

71

Severe Mercy pp. 126-197 

6

Jan 27

41

Severe Mercy pp.197-238

7

Feb 1

6

Discovery, Severe Mercy Paper Due

8

Feb 3

16

Intro to the Confessions – Book 1

Conversion and God’s Mercy

9

Feb 8  

33

Confessions of St. Augustine Books 2-3

10

Feb 10

19

Confessions of St. Augustine Book 4

11

Feb 15

43

Confessions of St. Augustine Books 5-6

12

Feb 17

23

Confessions of St. Augustine Book  7

13

Feb 22

47

Confessions of St. Augustine 8-9

14

Feb 24

0

Confessions Paper due

15

Mar 1

45

A Man For all Seasons (view in class)

Background

16

Mar 3

 

Finish A Man for all Seasons

Christianity and Suffering with a purpose

 

 

 

 

Spring Break

17

Mar 15

 

A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation

18

Mar 17

 

A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation

 

Mar 22

 

A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation

 

20

Mar 24

 

A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation

Thomas More Paper Due;

Conscience

21

Mar 29

75

Brave New World pp. 3-78

Critical Look at our culture today…

22

Mar 31

43

Brave New World pp. 79-122

23

Apr 5

93

Brave New World pp. 123-216

24

Apr 7

42

Brave New World  pp.217 -259;

25

Apr 12

63

DaVinci Code, Prologue, Ch 1-11

Church History and Structures

26

Apr 14

34

DaVinci Code, Ch 12-20

 

 

 

Easter Break

27

Apr 19

160

DaVinci Code, Ch 21-60

28

Apr 21

64

DaVinci Code, Ch 61-78

29

Apr 26

93

Da Vinci Code, Ch 79-100

30

Apr 28

35

Da Vinci Code, Ch. 101 - Epilogue

Final

May 5

12:30 -2:30 p.m.

 

Final

 

 

Syllabus: Spring 2005

RELN 200-1, Theological Themes in Literature

3 Credit Hours

I. Basic Information.

Instructor: Mr. Robert Kloska           

Classroom: South Hall Lounge

Office: Campus Ministry Office (across from dining room) 239-8365; e-mail: rkloska@hcc-nd.edu

Office Hours: Mon. 1:30-2:00; 3:00 – 4:30 ; but BEST BY APPOINTMENT.  I’m around quite a bit, but tend to move in and out of my office a lot.

Required books: 

1.      A Severe Mercy (Vanauken)

2.      The Confessions of St. Augustine

3.      A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (Thomas More)

4.      A Man For All Seasons (Robert Bolt)

5.      Brave New World (Huxley)

6.      The DaVinci Code (Dan Brown)

7.      Fact and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code  (Steven Kellmeyer)

 

II. Aims Of The Course.

             This is a seminar course. We read books carefully and discuss them. Students are challenged to look beyond superficial meanings and to develop a habit of reading critically. Students are expected to gain insights that may not be obvious at first glance. Class attendance, participation and preparedness are absolutely essential in this class. (This is not a course for slackers.)

            The primary purpose of this seminar is for the student to be able to recognize, critically read and competently discuss theological themes in given works of literature. In this course the student should grow towards acquiring the following transferable skills: * recognize and use multiple ways of thinking, * develop an aesthetic response, * ask relevant questions, *make connections among subjects, *be able to constructively critique society, *analyze, interpret, and appreciate the thoughts and words of others, *speak effectively about what they read, *demonstrate listening skills, *defend a position, point of view, or a particular interpretation, *demonstrate proficiency in reading competently, *understand the religious and moral wisdom of the past and present in the context of Judaeo-Christian traditions, *articulate how Catholic teaching provides a foundation for understanding the issues addressed in these works, *analyze issues in an effort to distinguish what is good, just and true from what is evil, unjust and false, *interact and cooperatively work with others, *use word processing programs to write papers, *write effectively, and *refine their writing.

            Grades will be determined by daily quizzes, class participation (which includes scrupulous attendance), written assignments, and a number of synopsis/reflection papers. Standard Holy Cross grading scale will be used.

 

IV.  Absences and Work Missed Due to Absence.

            School policy regarding class attendance will be applied.  No student is allowed more than two absences for any reason except extreme and unexpected emergencies.  Three absences could result in failure of the class.

            Daily reading assignments and quizzes cannot be made up for any reason. Exams can only be made up in extreme cases if the student contacts the instructor before the exam or within a reasonable amount of time after the exam (usually one hour).  Papers are due at the beginning of class on the date assigned.  Papers more than five minutes late will be considered one day late and will be marked down a full letter grade.  Every additional day will result in a markdown of half a letter grade per day.  You are expected to keep a copy of any paper you turn in and should be able to furnish it within 15 minutes upon request.  You may turn in your paper early.

 

V. Cheating

            Besides publicly disgracing your personal honor and the honor of your family name, any sort of academic dishonesty will result in sanctions so severe that you will wish that you had never been born.