Mr. Michael Shaughnessy – vm: 731-7500, ext 712;  em:   mshaughnessy@siprep.org

Office hours: by appointment in 202

One is responsible for one's spiritual life; one's relationship with God.

Course Description:

 “Finding God in all things”. St. Ignatius taught that God is present in every aspect of our world and our lives. Each of our experiences unfolds for us God’s grace at work in the world and in our hearts. This course will help the student open up his/her conscious experience of God’s grace. We still study the means by which we come to experience God: personal prayer, journaling, communal and liturgical worship, various spiritualities of the masters of religious experience, with St. Ignatius as our guide here, and the human beings we encounter in our lives, both personally and communally. Through the study and analysis of both our own life experiences and those of “inspiring lives” this semester, we will come to deepen our understanding of and relationship to our God, especially in the Catholic Christian tradition and Ignatian spirituality.

Required Texts/Materials:

l. Course reader (must be purchased NEW)

2. 8 Spiritual Heroes: Their Search For God by Brennan Hill

3. Please have a separate 3-ring binder for the reader, with section dividers, (reader, handouts, notes), and binder paper

Assessments:

l. Presentation of an “inspiring life” of your choice with two other students.

2.Weekly reflections on persons and concepts studied – also on readings, films, lectures and guest speakers.

3. Other specific written assignments.

4. You class participation (coming prepared to discuss the readings) can lower or raise your grade significantly.

5. Construction of a Prayer Service.

Classwork:

All work must be typed in the correct format and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Development and depth of ideas should reflect 12 th grade level effort and ability. The rewrites of some papers may be required under certain circumstances. If you miss class, for any reason, you are responsible for all work, handouts, etc. A "retreat" resource person will have notes for you when you return from retreat.

Your “inspiring life” presentation and Prayer Service will be 40% of your overall grade. Participation is evaluated through teacher and self observation and can lower or raise your final grade. Without consistent participation in class discussions, you cannot receive an A for the course, regardless of your written work.

Policy on Late Assignments: (read this carefully)

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. The class depends on all members of the class being prepared; excellence requires no less. Late work is not acceptable. If you foresee a problem, come and discuss it with me before the due date. This includes retreats, sports dismissals, etc. In case of illness, please see me on your return.   Computer/printer problems do not constitute a crisis or excuse. (Do not wait until the last minute to do the assignment.)

At my discretion, you might still be assigned to Study Table. At my discretion, late assignments (including any from Study Table) might result in a zero being replaced with a 50%.

Reflection Responses:

Students are required to write reflection responses to much of the material studied in class. Reflections must be typed and are graded on how the student effectively articulated his/her reaction to the issue and if the student struggled with the topic on a level that challenges and deepens the student's thinking . 

Essays will not be graded on the particular stance you take but on the following criteria: (1) Form (correct format, grammar, spelling, and formal usage), (2) Style (the paper reads smoothly, is well-organized [has a beginning, middle, and end], and varies in its expression), and (3) Argument (the paper is well-reasoned and logical; the conclusion is intelligently supported). A one-page essay should consist of at least three paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, your argument, and a concluding paragraph. In essays and papers you may not use the second person (you); write in the first and third persons only. Avoid the repeated use of words such as like , really , and very .

Class Participation/Group Work.

  Due to the nature of the subject matter, it is absolutely essential that every student actively paticipates in classwork. Students are expected to come to class having read the assigned material and answered the questions in their notebook so they can intelligently discuss the issue. This includes listening skills. Regardless of a student's final grade percentage from written work, a student cannot receive an "A" for the course without consistent preparation for and participation in classwork.

Participation requires that students be prepared for class. If a student comes to class without having completed reading assignments, it is up to my discretion whether to assign Study Table.

  This class is concerned with spiritual values, decision- making, and life choices. Your participation is essential. You will be asked to read about issues, reflect on them, and give your thoughtful judgment. You are free to express your opinions in this class. Any opinion, though, can be questioned and analyzed. You should have reasons backing up your opinions and should be able to communicate those reasons to the rest of us. As a rule, everyone should expect to speak in every class. Respectful listening is essential. We need to listen to what others have to say even if we disagree. Argument and controversy are fine—reasoned conversation gives us new perspectives and advances our knowledge. Shouting and discourtesy are not fine and will not be tolerated. The following are non-negotiable rules of discussion: (1) Everyone deserves to be heard with respect. (2) Only one person speaks at a time; everyone else listens. (3) Do not interrupt when another person is speaking. (4) Do not raise your hand while another person is speaking; listen to that person instead. We have plenty of time for people to be heard. Participation will account for 20 percent of your overall semester grade.

Presentations:

During the course of the year you will be asked individually and as groups to make presentations. These presentations may be simple ones such as summarizing a reading assignment or more complex ones requiring independent research and more detailed planning. The ability to speak before a group of peers is an important skill to develop. Everyone will have the opportunity to stand before the class and present material. Your presentations will be graded on the quality of your organization, delivery, and creativity.

Student Name _____________________________ Parent Signature_____________________________ Date ____________

I would prefer that my student be treated as a college student and not be assigned Study Table. He/she can learn to take the consequences of coming unprepared for class.

Parent Signature for this option _______________________________________________