Syllabus

Theology 575

Foundations of Christian Spirituality

Spring 2006

TTh 12:30-1:45 pm

HC 7A

Dr. Wendy M. Wright

Office: Theology Department

Humanities 140

Office Hours: TTh 2-3 and W 1-2

(402) 280-2611

wmwright@creighton.edu

Class description

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic presuppositions, history, theories and practices of the varied Christian spiritual traditions that have flourished in the tradition’s two thousand year existence. The first half of the class will explore the paradigmatic form of the Christian spiritual life; its shape, essential components and basic assumptions. The second half of class will be devoted to a consideration of the diverse forms, practices, and lifestyles that Christianity has assumed and been expressed in different eras and cultures. The approach will be both theoretical and experiential. Thus students will engage in both study and spiritual practice.  Christian spirituality has been from its inception rooted in the scriptures, in the ecclesial life and in the rhythm of the liturgical year. Following that tradition, students will be asked to keep a journal based on their own appropriation of the daily scripture and to attend liturgical services appropriate to the time of the church year.

Course requirements

1) Creation of a weekly journal based on attentive reading and reflection on the scriptures based on the church lectionary. This will be due at midterm and at the final exam time.

2)  Completion of two academic papers of 7-10 pages each. The first will be based on the assigned class readings, the second on a research topic of the student’s choice. The format for the second must follow the Chicago Manual of Style (i.e. footnote, endnote style). Consult Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations.  

3) Preparation of assigned reading or viewing of the day and participation in class discussions. Students will be asked to lead discussions or to prepare short reports on the significance of the lectionary or sanctoral cycle. They will also be expected to participate in two exam/discussion sessions (Feb. 7 and April 4) for which they will have prepared as for an exam. 

4) Students will present the results of their final research paper to the class during the last weeks of class. The presentation should not last more than ten minutes.  There will be a ten minute question and answer period following each presentation.

5) Attendance at services on Ash Wednesday and the Easter Triduum, either on campus or off.

6) Extra credit (not required but recommended) will be given for attendance at selected events on and off campus, including Spirituality Plus luncheon sessions presented by Collaborative Ministry. See website.

Grades

Grades will be determined in the following manner:
40% papers
10% journals

10% oral exams/discussion

10% final presentations
25% participation and attendance

 5% extra credit possibilities

Papers will be assessed according to the following criteria. An excellent (A) paper should exhibit: a clear thesis persuasively developed, logical organization, good grammar, syntax and style, a superior grasp of content, a critical use of sources, correct documentation, originality of thought. An above average paper (B) should show: a clear thesis well developed, strong organization, above average grammar, syntax and style, an informed grasp of content and use of sources, correct documentation. An average paper (C) should show: a developed thesis, good organization, average grammar, syntax and style, a good sense of content and use of sources, correct documentation. The below average paper (D) would show: inadequate thesis and development of argument, poor written expression, lack of organization, poor grasp of content, poor documentation. An unacceptable paper (F) would show: no thesis, lack of organization, substandard writing, lack of documentation, plagiarism.

Journals entries can be brief (one to two paragraphs) but should show that the student 1) read the daily scripture meditatively, 2) understood its significance in the liturgical cycle, 3) has given thought to personal appropriation of the Word.

Academic honesty policy

The University policy on academic honesty will be upheld. (See student handbook). DO YOUR OWN WORK. Infractions of this policy will result in a lowered grade and will be referred to the appropriate University offices and committees and incorporated into the student’s file.

Required reading/viewing/listening

Rohlheiser, Ronald. The Holy Longing. New York : Doubleday, 1999.

Zagano, Phyllis. On Prayer: a Letter to My Godchild. Liguori , MO :
               Liguori, 2001

Cunningham, Lawrence.  Francis of Assisi : Performing the Gospel Life.                        Grand Rapids : Wm. Eerdmans, 2004.

Merton, Thomas. Wisdom of the Desert. Shambala, 2004.

Chmiel, Mark. The Book of Mev. Xlibris, 2005.
Daily prayer with the scriptures using the Website  
               www.jesuit.ie/prayer

     “Sacred Space” created by the Irish Jesuits

Reading/viewing/listening of various handouts, DVDs, audiotapes and
               videos will also be required for class.             

Schedule of classes

Jan uary 12        

(1st Week in Ordinary Time)

                   Introduction to the course

                   Begin daily 10 minute checking of website
                  www.jesuit.ie/prayer and practice of keeping a personal                          journal

Jan uary 17 

(2nd Week in Ordinary Time; Memorial of Anthony, Abbot)

                   What Is Spirituality?

                   Read: Rohlheiser, Holy Longing, Part One, “The Situation”

                   and handout, M. Downey, “Reading as a Basic Spiritual                                   Discipline”   

Jan uary 19
(2nd Week in Ordinary Time)
                   The Basic Shape of the Christian Spiritual Life

                   Read Rohlheiser, Part Two, “The Essential Outline for a
                   Christian Spirituality”

Jan uary 24
(Third Week in Ordinary Time; Memorial of Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor)

                        The Basic Shape of the Christian Spiritual Life

                   Attend Brown Bag Lunch: Race: Power of an Illusion, SC 104

Read Rohlheiser, Chapter 8, “A Spirituality of Justice and
         Peacemaking.”  

Jan uary 26

(Third Week in Ordinary Time; Memorial of Timothy and Titus)

          The Basic Shape of the Christian Spiritual Life

                   Read: Rohlheiser, Part Three, Chapters 4 and 5,
                   “The Incarnation as the Basis for Christian Spirituality”               

Jan uary 31

(4^th Week in Ordinary Time; Memorial of Don Bosco, priest)

                   Key Spiritualities

Read: Rohlheiser, Part Four, Chapter 6,

“A Spirituality of Ecclesiology”           

February 2

(4^th Week in Ordinary Time; Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

                      Key Spiritualities

                   Read Rohlheiser, Part Four, Chapter 7,

                   “A Spirituality of the Pascal Mystery”  

February 7

(5^th Week in Ordinary Time)

                        In class Discussion/Exam     

February 9
(5^th Week in Ordinary Time)

                   Personal Prayer

                   Read: Zagano, pp. 1-37 on the “breaths” of prayer

February 14

(6^th Week in Ordinary Time; Memorial of Cyril, monk and Methodius, bishop)

          Personal Prayer

                   Read: Zagano, pp. 38-60 on methods of prayer

February 16

(6^th Week in Ordinary Time)

                   Spirituality and Justice

                   Attend Brown Bag: Race: Power of an Illusion. SC 104

                   Read Fr. Kolvenbach’s 2002 address, “The Service of Faith                            and the Promotion of Justice in American Jesuit Higher                                     Education”                                http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/kolvenbach_speech.html

February 21

(7^th Week in Ordinary Time; Peter Damien, bishop and doctor)                                          

                   Sustaining Practices for a Lifetime

                   Read: Rohlheiser, Part 4, Chapter 10, “Sustaining Ourselves”

February 23
(7^th week in Ordinary Time; Memorial of Polycarp, bishop and martyr)

                        Attend Brown Bag: Race: Power of an Illusion. SC 104     

February 28

(8^th week in Ordinary Time)    

In class Discussion/Exam

(March 1 Ash Wednesday)

March 2

(Lenten Weekday)

No class. Paper and journals due    

Spring Break

March 7(1st Week of Lent; Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs)

March 9 (1st Week of Lent; Frances of Rome , Religious)  

March 14
(2^nd Week of Lent)

                      Models of the Christian Spiritual Life

                   Martyrs past and present

                   Read: handout       

March 16 

(2nd Week of Lent)

                    Models of the Christian Spiritual Life

                    Read: Thomas Merton, Wisdom of the Desert, intro. And I-                           XXX

March 21

(3^rd Week of Lent)

                        Models of the Christian Spiritual Life

                    Read: Thomas Merton, Wisdom of the Desert, XXXI-end

                        View video: “Seeds of the Desert: Charles de Foucauld

March 23

(3^rd week of Lent; Toribio de Mogrovejo, bishop)

                        Models: Monastic Life

                   View: Film on Merton

March 28

(4th Week of Lent)

                        Models: The Mendicant Life

                   Read: Cunningham, Francis of Assisi , forward through Chap. 4                

March 30

(4^th Week of Lent)

                    Models: The Mendicant Life

                   Read: Cunningham, Francis of Assisi , forward through Chap. 4  

April 4

(4^th week of Lent; Isidore, bishop and doctor)

                        In class Discussion/Exam                 

 April 6      

(4^th week of Lent)

                        Models: Mystics and Visionaries

                   View DVD: “Divine Negotiators: Bridget of Sweden and
                  Catherine of Siena ”

April 11    

(Tuesday of Holy Week)

                        Models: Missionaries and School Masters: The Jesuits

                   View video: “Black Robe”

                   Read: handout on Catherine MacCauley        

April 13

(Holy Thursday)

                   Models: Contemporary Search for Justice

                   Read: Chmiel, The Book of Mev, pp.1-125.

(April 14, Good Friday)

(April 15, Holy Saturday)

April 16, Easter Sunday

April 18

(Solemnity of Easter Tuesday)

                   Models: Contemporary Search for Justice

                   Read: Chmiel, The Book of Mev, pp.125-250.

April 20

(Solemnity of Easter Thursday)

                   Models: Contemporary Search for Justice

                   Read: Chmiel, The Book of Mev, pp.250-375.                  

April 25
(2nd Week of Easter, Feast of Mark, Evangelist)

                    Models: Sacred in the ordinary

                   View videos: “Discovering Everyday Spirituality”

                   Final projects presented

April 27

(2nd Week of Easter)

                        Final Projects Presented

May 4 (Thursday)

(3^rd Week of Easter)

                  Final Time, 10-12 a.m.

                  Final paper and journals due.