    Kenefick Chair |
Syllabus
Dr. Wendy M. Wright
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 daily 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 daily 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 10-15 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.
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:
10% final presentations
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
Required reading/viewing/listening
Rohlheiser, Ronald. The Holy
Longing.
Underhill, Evelyn. Practical
Mysticism and Abba.
Zagano, Phyllis. On Prayer: a
Letter to My Godchild.
 January
15 (1st
Week in Ordinary Time)
January 20 (2nd
Week in Ordinary Time; Fabian, pope and martyr, Sebastian, martyr)
January 22 (2nd
Week in Ordinary Time)
January 27(Third
Week in Ordinary Time; Angela Merici, virgin)
The Basic Shape of the Christian
Spiritual Life
February 3
(4th
Week in Ordinary Time; Blasé, bishop and martyr)
February 5
(4th Week in Ordinary Time;Agatha, virgin and martyr)
February 10
(5th Week in Ordinary Time; Scholastica, virgin)
February 12
(5th
Week in Ordinary Time)
February 17
(6th Week in Ordinary Time; Seven Founders of the Order of
Servites, religious)
February 19
(6th Week in Ordinary Time)
February 24
(7th
Week in Ordinary Time) (February
25 Ash Wednesday)
March 2
(1st week of Lent)
March 4
(1st
week of Lent; Casimir)
March 9
(2nd Week of Lent;
March 11
(2nd Week of Lent)
March 16
(3rd Week of Lent)
March 18 (3rd
Week of Lent; Cyril of
March 23
(4th Week of Lent; Toribio de Mogrovejo, bishop)
March 25
(4th Week of lent; Solemnity of the Annunciation)
March 30 (5th
Week of Lent)
April 1
(5th
Week of Lent)
April 6
(Tuesday
of Holy Week)
April
8
(Holy
Thursday)
(April 9 Good Friday)
(April 10 Holy Saturday) (April
11 Easter Sunday)
April 13 (Easter
Octave; Solemnity of Easter Tuesday)
April 15
(Solemnity
of Easter Thursday)
April 20
(2nd Week of Easter)
April 22
(2nd Week of Easter)
April 27
(3rd Week of Easter)
April 29
(3rd
Week of Easter, Catherine of
May 6 (4th
Week of Easter)
Data Bases ATLA Religion Database Networked Electronic Databases Manual of Style Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations Z253 T929M 1973 Z253 T929M 1987 Z253 T929M 1996
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