ST 4141: Professions of Faith: How Commitment and Leadership Transforms Church and Society

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1 ST 4141: Professions of Faith: How Commitment and Leadership Transforms Church and Society Saturdays Feb 9, 23, March 9, 23, April 13, 27 May 11 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-2:30 DSPT 3 Special Sessions: DSPT Seminar on Natural Law, All School Meeting, and Fellows Conference Jan 31 (evening), Feb 1, Feb 2 and May 18 th (tentative) Sr. Marianne Farina CSC Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology 2301 Vine Street Berkeley, CA mfarina@dspt.edu Phone: OFFICE HOURS: Thursdays: 10:30-11:30; 3:30-4:30 and by appointment This course is the third seminar of the MTS program. It examines the way the Catholic intellectual tradition connects with our social commitments and professional lives. Through the use of case studies and research and analysis, participants will explore how value-based, mission-driven models of professional engagement bring positive change to Church and society. The course will include class presentations, reflection papers and one final research/case study project. Course Goals: In this seminar, students will 1. Learn how people from various professions integrate the Catholic intellectual tradition with their own work and development in order to address issues and concerns of Church and society. 2. Discover creative ways to foster a reflective spirit of inquiry; articulation of ethical values; and to share knowledge with various groups. Students will achieve this goal in the following ways: theological and philosophical content can inform their professional work. address ethical dilemmas in the workplace using the principles of social justice. identify principles for effective leadership learn the art of individual and communal analysis and discernment discover value-based, mission-driven models of professional engagement that bring positive change to Church and society Method: Seminar and Lecture 1. Course Readings and Discussion 2. Case Study Analysis involving various groups, persons, and situations 3. Guest lecturers and facilitators from various professions, as well as those involved with religious ministry and civil service. 4. Independent research and class reporting

2 Student Requirements: Class Writing: Two Reflection Papers (4 pages): Students will write a review of the texts we are reading addressing how these topics help us to thinking theologically and philosophically and are connected to their own professions (30%) Class Presentation: Students will present their research about two persons or organizations (or combination) who are leaders in their professions. The reports are based on their independent research. Focus will be on how these professionals bring theological insights into their work and how they are leaders and innovators in their respective fields (40%). Final Project: In this paper/report students will demonstrate how theological and philosophical study connects to their professional field. (40%) Texts for the Course: Allen, John: The Future Church: How Ten Trends are Revolutionizing the Catholic Church. New York: Doubleday, ISBN-13: $28.00 Holland, Joe. Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice. Maryknoll, NY.: Orbis Press, ISBN $19.00 Langford, Jeremy and James Martin, S.J. Professions of Faith: Living and Working as a Catholic. New York: Sheed and Ward, ISBN-13: $18.95 Malloy, Richard. A Faith that Frees: Catholic Matters for the 21st Century. New York: Orbis Books, 2003 ISBN $18.00 Course Reader: Texts will be ed (PDF Files) Seminar Topics, Readings, and Practicum The course work is divided into three segments with one general evaluation session. Each segment will consist of various components such as: reading assignments, lectures, guest presentations, practical exercises, and student presentations. After each topic, students and faculty will evaluate the progress made thus far and make adjustments if necessary. The skills of social analysis, decision-making, research, and communication will help us explore the way theological and ethical principles inform professional work and the importance the way various professions can help shape Catholic thought and action. Part One: Reading the Signs of the Times and Public Discourse February 9 and 23, 2013 Key questions: What is public discourse? How is it shaped by ancient arts of rhetoric and debate? How is critical thinking central to these discussions? What is social analysis? How can we use this process to reflect on, and analyze, the current situation in Church and society, in general and your profession in particular?

3 Students will also attend the Fellows Convocation and Aquinas Lecture. These topics will be integrated into the seminar discussions February 9: 1.1: Discussion of the DSPT Conference/All School Meeting Natural Law in American Rhetoric, Jurisprudence, and Governance 1.2 Critical Thinking, Rhetoric, and Debate Paul. Richard Paul and Linda Elder, Critical and Creative Thinking Published by Foundation for Critical Thinking (Course Reader) Rhetoric, A Brief History Selections from Aristotle and Other Authors (Course Reader) February 23: 2.1Social Analysis as a Tool for Understanding and Change Joe Holland's Text: Chapter 1-3 "What is Social Analysis?", Social Analysis and Social Change, The Development Debate Part Two: Trends in Church and Society: Call to Action? March 9 and March 23 Key Questions: What does it mean to be a Catholic? What does it mean to be a Catholic Professional? How does my particular profession implicate in the social analysis identifying the condition of Church and society and its recent trends? March State of Affairs? Richard Malloy's Faith Matters Chapters Future Church-Society: Trends of the 21st Century John Allen's The Future Church How does social analysis helps us to understand these trends in the Catholic Church: World Church, New Demography, Expanding Lay Roles, Multipolarism (Trends 1, 4, 5, 6 in text) March Richard Malloy's Text: Part Two Justice Matters (Chapters 4-7, topics such as leadership, equality, global church) 2.2 John Allen's Text: Addressing social trends such as Islam, Biotechnology, Globalization, Ecology, Pentecostalism (Chapters 3, 6, 7, 8, 10). Look at the interplay between Church and society within these trends and look for related trends not identified in the text.

4 2.3 Evaluation: Review of the Principles of Debate and Social Analysis and the Trends in Church and Society that effect my professional growth and social engagement/ Joe Holland, Social Analysis, Chapter 4 John Allen's Text: Chapters 11, "Trends that Aren't" Part Three: "Reading the Signs of the Times" in My Profession April 13 and April 27 Key question: What does it mean to be a Catholic committed to my family and profession, church and society? These sessions will include: Discussions based on reading assignments and presentations by Guest Speakers. Developing a set of questions for guiding the reading of text, student research, and guest speakers' sharing so that there can be some cross-referencing of data collected Student reports about leaders from various professions who exemplify Gospel values Guest Speakers: Various individuals from the Bay Area community will share about their personal and professional experiences, e.g., those working in business, civil service, the arts, medical fields, law, etc. Some of the choices will depend on the students in the program and what might help them to think specifically about the interfacing of theology and their profession. Case Study Methods and Practice Students will review various cases that occur in professional and organizational situations: business, medical, arts, civil service, social concerns, church etc. They will learn how to develop a method for recognizing and addressing these issues. Steps will include: Recognizing an Issue or Need in a Profession Applying Social Analysis to the Issue Making a Decision to Act What are my options for action? What type of development is needed? Evaluating Effects of the Decision Reading Assignments: Short biography pieces from Langford's and Martin's Text Professions of Faith April 13: Readings 3.1 On Being a Catholic--writer, actress, architect, artist, journalist (Chapters 1, 3, 6, 11, and 12) 3.2 On Being a Catholic--spouse, parent, social worker, police officer, teacher (Chapters 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10)

5 April 27: Readings 3.3 On Being a Catholic--lawyer, doctor, business person (Chapters 2, 5, 13) 3.4 Evaluation What makes a good leader? As Catholic professionals, who are positive role models? Part Four: Preparing for the Future May 11, 2013 and May 18 th (possibly) What are positive ways to address the various needs and ethical dilemmas in the workplace? Which organizations serve as models for ethical policies and holistic development? 4.1 Class Presentations: Model Leaders and Organizations Students will present their research about leaders in their professions. We will focus on the ways these presentations help us to further our understanding of decision-making and planning according to theological and ethical principles. 4.2 Evaluation Based on our case study and reports, what might we glean as the ten basic principles for good leadership, ethical decision-making, and socially responsible development for Catholic professionals? What are the greatest opportunities and challenges for us as professionals in the Church and society today? What types of planning would help us address this need? Readings Assignments: John Allen's Text: Chapter 12, "Catholic Church in the 21st Century" 4.3 Discussion about ideas for their capstone project Key question: How am I called to "read the signs of the times" from the vantage point of my profession at this time/context? In what way has my study of theology helped me to discern future growth and development in Church and society? In what ways could my profession contribute to this growth?