St. Joseph's College CHRTC 250 B1: The Theological Education of ...

St. Joseph’s College
CHRTC 250 B1: The Theological Education of the Catholic Teacher
Winter Term, 2013
Instructor: Fr. Daniel Kuc
Time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
E-mail: kuc@ualberta.ca or metaphrasis@mac.com
Office Hours: after class or by appointment
Classroom: SJ 102
Office: n/a
Course Description: This course aims to equip those preparing to teach in Catholic
schools with knowledge of the basic tenets of the Christian faith. While the course relies
on the Church’s Catechism as a guide for understanding the faith, it seeks to delve into a
deeper level, exploring and reflecting upon the theological foundations of the Church’s
teachings. This is not a course on teaching methodology, but rather an investigation of
those elements of the faith that are basic to the religious component of Catholic
education.
Required Texts:
Knox, Ian. Theology for Teachers. Revised Edition. Ottawa: Novalis, 1999.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (any edition that incorporates the 1997 revisions).
• Edition published by Doubleday recommended as most inexpensive and most
compact
• Also available online here:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Optional Text:
The Holy Bible (recommended editions include the Ignatius Bible and the Catholic Study Bible)
Course Requirements:
• Class Participation (10%): All students are expected not only to carry out
conscientiously the assignments given, but also to contribute to class discussions with
pertinent questions or reflective comments. It should be noted that frequent absences
from class meetings will be taken note of and figured into the calculation of the final
grade.

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• Mid-Term Exam (30%): This will be written in class on Monday, March 11, 2013.
Review materials will be provided in the class session previous to this test (Friday, March
8, 2013).
• Review of “Catholicism” Program (20%): This is a 3-5 page report on the first three
episodes of Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” DVD series, which will be viewed in class on
February 4, 6, 8, and 11. This report has two elements: a description of each episode
(including both what is shown and what is talked about) and some personal reflection on
this content. This latter element can be a critique, an assessment of the episode’s
educational value, or a reflection on how the content relates to the student’s own
understanding of the Catholic faith. More information will be provided in class. This
assignment is due on Friday, February 15.
• Final Exam (40%): The date for this test has been tentatively set for Tuesday, April 23
at 9 a.m. While this exam will especially emphasize the content of the course from the
second half of the semester, it will also draw from material from all topics covered in the
course.
• Evaluative course material, such as representative questions, will be made available in
paper form distributed in class.
• Policy about course outlines can be found in § 23.4(2) of the University Calendar. (GFC
29 SEP 2003)
• The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity
and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding
academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students
are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of
Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any
behavior which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a
serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. (GFC 29
SEP 2003)
Notes on Course Workload
• There is a lot of reading required for this course and therefore it is imperative that the
students keep up with the scheduled assignments.
• As regards the review assignment, it is to be submitted following the standard academic
requirements: double-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font; duly recognizing
sources where appropriate. These assignments are expected to conform to the rules of the
Chicago Manual of Style (Kate Turabian). The content ought to reflect a well-organized
synthesis of information and include thoughtful, independent theological reflection.
Please refer to the University of Alberta's policies on academic integrity
(http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/TIE/).

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• Students who consult in advance with the instructor regarding contingencies preventing
the timely completion of an assignment may, at the discretion of the instructor, be granted
an extension. Otherwise, assignments may be handed in one class-day after the stated
deadline without penalty, with a 5%-per-class-day penalty assessed for each subsequent
class-day of lateness. In cases involving incapacitating illness or domestic affliction,
notify your instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding absences that may be
excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult
sections 23.4.2 and 23.4.3 of the current University Calendar.
Grading Policy: Each assignment is graded with a letter, which is then converted into its
Grade Point Value. These values are then calculated into a final grade, giving due
proportion to the weight of the four course requirements outlined above.
Class Meetings and Assigned Readings
January 7 (Mon) Introduction
9 (Wed)
11 (Fri) Reading: CCC, §26-§49; Knox, pp. 13-29
14 (Mon)
16 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §198-§324; Knox, pp. 30-59
18 (Fri)
21 (Mon) Reading: CCC, §50-§73; Knox, pp. 63-75
23 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §74-§100; Knox, pp. 76-88
25 (Fri) Reading: CCC, §101-§141; Knox, pp. 89-117
28 (Mon)
30 (Wed) Reading: Knox, pp. 118-136
February 1 (Fri)
*4 (Mon) *excursus: DVD “Catholicism” (Episode 1)
*6 (Wed) *excursus: DVD “Catholicism” (Episodes 1 & 2)
*8 (Fri) *excursus: DVD “Catholicism” (Episodes 2 & 3)
*11 (Mon) *excursus: DVD “Catholicism” (Episode 3)

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13 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §422-§483; Knox, pp. 137-162
15 (Fri) “Catholicism” assignment due
18 (Mon) Alberta Family Day – No Class
20 (Wed) Reading Week – No Class
22 (Fri) Reading Week – No Class
25 (Mon) Reading: CCC, §748-§945; Knox, pp. 165-187
27 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §484-§511; 963-975; Knox, pp. 188-200
March 1 (Fri) Reading: CCC, §2558-§2758; Knox, pp. 201-213
4 (Mon) Reading: CCC, §1210-§1321; 1499-1666; Knox, pp. 214-232
6 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §1136-§1199; §1322-1419; Knox, pp. 233-248
8 (Fri)
11 (Mon) Mid-Term Exam
13 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §2052-§2082; Knox, pp. 251-273
15 (Fri) Reading: CCC, §1691-§1876; Knox, pp. 274-290
18 (Mon)
20 (Wed) Reading: CCC, §976-§987; §1422-§1498; Knox, pp. 291-311
22 (Fri) Reading: CCC, §1877-§1948; Knox, pp. 312-326
25 (Mon) Reading: CCC, §988-§1060; Knox, pp. 329-347
27 (Wed)
29 (Fri) Good Friday – No Class
April 1 (Mon) Easter Monday – No Class
3 (Wed) Reading: Knox, pp. 348-361

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5 (Fri)
8 (Mon) Reading: Bishops' Statements
10 (Wed) Excursus: The Eastern Churches/Ukrainian Catholics
Reading: CCC §1200-§1209
12 (Fri) Final Review; Conclusions