COURSE SYLLABUS: Social Justice

Term: Fall 2014 (2014-1) Instructor Name COURSE SYLLABUS: Social Justice Course #: RLST 110 C Instructor Information: Mrs. Nan Onest Office Number: 531 Phone Number: Email: nonest@ccsj.edu Other Contact : Hours Available: By appointment Instructor Background: M.A., Theology, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL Director of Recruitment, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL Adjunct Instructor, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL Pastoral Associate, Diocese of Gary Staff Liaison, Peace and Social Justice Commission, Holy Name Parish Course Information: Course Time: Classroom: Prerequisites: Monday/Wednesday 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. none Textbooks: No textbook. Handouts, Articles and PDFs on BB. Learning Outcomes/ Competencies: Through this course, you will be able: To explain various concepts of justice To analyze current social justice issues To explain your role as an individual within a variety of communities To demonstrate familiarity with the hundred twenty year social teaching of the Catholic Church To help your community through a service project To explain the impact of your service on your community and yourself To believe that you can make a difference 2400 NEW YORK AVE. WHITING, IN 46394 TEL. 219-473-7770 773-721-0202 FAX 219-473-4259

Course Description: This course focuses on reading and discussion of social justice issues. There is also emphasis on the development of college-level skills. A community service project is mandatory. Learning Strategies: Blackboard, activities, reading, conversation, technology, lecture, journal writing, reflection and research papers, service projects, collaborative learning, oral presentations, exams. Experiential Learning Opportunities Service projects. Assessments: Formative Assessments: Midterm 50 points Summative Assessments: Interview with Steve Kramer Questions 10 points Presentation 15 points Native Plant Report 25 points 800 Word Article 25 points Service Project Planning 25 points Update Reports 25 points Group Evaluations 25 points Group Presentations 25 points Finals Oral Exam 25 points Written Exam 25 points Final Paper 25 points Homework/Assignments: Journals/Reflections 10 points Protest Song Project 15 points Total: 175 points Total: 175 points Total: 25 points Participation: Round Table Discussion Daily Total: 25 points Total Possible Points: 400 2

Grading Scale Grade Percent A 100-92 A- 91-90 B+ 89-88 B 87-82 B- 81-80 C+ 79-78 C 77-72 C- 71-70 D+ 69-68 D 67-62 D- 61-60 F 59 and below Course Schedule: Class/Date Description Assignment/Homework Due Date Day 1: Sept. 3 Day 2: Sept. 8 Introductions, Learning Community Linked Classes Utopia/Dystopia Theme Review Syllabus. - Take note of the finals schedule and prepare in advance. Take note of days with lengthy homework or reading. Plan accordingly. What is Social Justice? Service Project Discussion. Brainstorm issues. Service Project Group assignments. Breakout to discuss possible projects. Turn in Journals at the beginning of class. The Gift of Creation/Natural Utopias View BBC Series Planet Earth, episode 1 Write in your journal about a time when you were treated unfairly. Make sure to include details to draw your reader into the experience: describe where it happened, describe your feelings, and recreate any dialogue. Be sure to include a reflection on why the treatment was unfair, what you could have done differently and what you learned or took away from the experience. Reading: Thomas Massaro, S.J., Living Justice, The Environment in Catholic Social Thought. 165-172. BB Handouts Due: Day 2, Sept. 8 Write a 1 page reflection about something that struck you in episode 1. Describe in detail what you found striking and be sure to answer the following: What caught your attention and why? What does it demonstrate about nature? How does it inform your understanding about humanity s place in creation? * This reflection is to be typed. Double Space, Times New Roman, 12 pt. Due: Day 3, Sept. 10 3

Day 3: Sept. 10 Day 4: Sept. 15 Day 5: Sept. 17 Day 6: Sept. 22 Turn in reflection papers at the beginning of class. Service Project Groups will meet to finalize project decision and divide responsibilities. (will discuss in class) The Gift of Creation Our Little Piece of the Planet The Region Visit to the Native Plant Garden *Bring your journal to sketch a plant of your choosing. Take note of the type of plant and record any other observations that will help you with a small research report. Note: I will be looking at your sketch and your journal notes. Turn in journals at the beginning of class Research Report Presentations Students will be expected to take notes on all presentations Finish up Research Report Presentations (if necessary) Round Table Discussion use notes 9:00 10:00 Workshop 2 Active Reading. Charity and Justice Finish Round Table Discussion *Turn in notes upon completion of discussion. Service Project Groups will meet during class to finalize project proposals. Prepare a research report on the plant that you sketched. Be sure to include the name of the plant, interesting uses for this plant and any creatures that are dependent upon this plant (explain the dependency). I will be providing you with a handout from Dr. Crist with specific guidelines for formatting your presentation. Review your notes from the presentations. What fact did you find interesting and why? Be prepared for a round table discussion on Day 5, Sept. 17. Reading: Massaro, Living Justice, From Charity Alone to a Justice Orientation, 10-15. BB Handouts. Project Proposals: This will be formatted as a group however each group member will turn in a typed and signed copy of the proposal. Be sure to include the following: Name of Project What is the Project? What will the group be doing? Where this project will be carried out. Will you be partnering with a local agency? If so, who? Provide the name, phone number and email of a contact person. What is the goal of the project? In other words, what is the point of doing this project? What specific injustice does this project address? Which principle/principles of Catholic Social Teaching does this project promote/address? How is this project oriented towards social justice? Remember, it is not enough for this project to be just charity work. It must somehow raise awareness about issues of injustice within the society. 4

Day 7: Sept. 24 Day 8: Sept. 29 Day 9: Oct. 1 Day 10: Oct. 6 Day 11: Oct. 8 Turn in journal at the beginning of class Human Dignity The Issues Community, Participation and The Common Good. What is the Common Good? Turn in Candidate Evaluation Homework in class. Faithful Citizenship Lake County Voting Statistics Test Taking Skill Tips Midterm Review Social 9:30-11:00 Room 200 Midterm Exam (In Class) One on one midterm discussions Group discussions Turn in one copy of your report to me at beginning of class. Service Project Group Meetings and Updates. Reading: Dorothy Day, Human Dignity. BB Massaro, Living Justice, The Dignity of Every Person and Human Rights, 80-84. BB Soraya Chemaly. Newsflash: Women Are Not In A Competition For Human Rights. BB Elie Wiesel. (A selection from Night.) BB Homework: Reflect on the assigned readings. Write in your journal about something that is going on in the world today that strikes you as a clear violation of human dignity. Answer the following: Why is it a violation? What responses are falling short? What, in your opinion, would constitute a proper response from our society? Due: Day 7, Sept. 24 Reading: Massaro, Living Justice, Solidarity, Common Good and Participation, 84-87. BB Handouts Be prepared for class discussion. Homework: Look at the candidates running for office in your area. Read their platforms and, if they are incumbents, their accomplishments and voting history. (we will discuss this in class) Write a one page summary about one candidate. Make sure that you include the issues that are important to this individual. In your conclusion, indicate whether or not you will support this candidate with your vote and why or why not. *This assignment is to be typed. Double space, Times New Roman, 12 pt. Study for Midterm. Review Notes and study guide. Email me with any questions well in advance of the exam. Homework: Prepare an update on your portion/area of responsibility for your service project. What have you done? What needs to be done? Bring 2 copies of this report to class. One report will be for your group and the other will be turned in to me. Due: Day 11, Oct. 8 Reading: Massaro, Living Justice, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. 113-117. BB Handout. 5

Day 12: Oct. 13 Day 13: Oct. 15 Day 14: Oct. 20 Day 15: Oct. 22 Day 16: Oct. 27 Day 17: Oct. 29 Day 18: Nov. 3 Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Poverty in Lake County Lake County Statistics Materialism and Consumerism Subsidiarity and the Proper Role of Government. Who does What? Rights and Responsibilities Human Rights Land Rights Economic Rights Distribution Rights Food and Water Who is my neighbor? A local and global perspective. Round table discussion. Dorothy Day Entertaining Angels(Movie) Take notes on the movie. Turn in 800 word article at beginning of class. Turn in notes on movie. Forms of Protest Biko Protest Song Project We will review this in class and work on a sample together. Turn in Protest Song Project at the beginning of class. Dignity of Work and Workers Rights Yesterday and Today Due: Day 12, Oct. 13 Reading: Massaro, Living Justice, Subsidiarity and the Proper Role of Government, 89-92. BB Handout. Due: Day 13, Oct. 15 Reading: Marvin L. Krier Mich, The Challenge and Spirituality of Catholic Social Teaching. Rights and Responsibilities, 113-132. Handouts. Due: Day 14, Oct. 20 Reading: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10: 25-37). Handout Be prepared for class round table discussion. Work on anything that needs to be completed for your group service project. Remember to do your part! You re a vital part of your team and they will be evaluating you! Reading: Richard Gula, Foundations of Catholic Morality, Civil Disobedience, 259-261. BB Homework: Write an 800 word article in which you explain how acts of civil disobedience can be fitting ways of acting on behalf of social justice. Due: Day 17, Oct. 29 Homework: Complete Protest Song Project. Due: Day 18, Nov. 3 Homework/Assignment: Based on today s lecture and the Handouts you will receive and read today, formulate one question pertaining to labor unions (history, purpose, issues faced locally or globally) or worker s rights (historical, modern day, future hopes, local or global) for our guest speaker on November 17. *Please note that you will be graded on the thoughtfulness, formatting and presentation of your question. Late submissions will jeopardize your grade on this assignment. 6

Day 19: Nov. 5 Day 20: Nov. 10 Day 21: Nov. 12 Day 22: Nov. 17 Day 23: Nov. 19 Day 24, Nov. 24 Day 25, Nov. 26 Day 26, Dec. 1 Day 27, Dec. 3 Day 28, Dec. 8 Day 29, Dec. 10 Election Results How did your candidate fare? Round table discussion. Service Project Group meetings and final preparations. (I will be checking in with each group) Carry out Service Projects Carry out Service Projects Guest Speaker: Steven Kramer Please come to class prepared to present your question to Mr. Kramer. Have it typed out on a sheet of clean paper but know it well enough to not have to read it. Please dress in business casual attire out of respect for our guest. Handout Guidelines for Group Presentations on Service Projects. Due: Day 24, Nov. 24 Field Trip: Art Institute Group Presentation on Service Project Sign up for Oral Exam times. Turn in Group Evaluations in Class. Wrap up and review for Final Exam. Happy Thanksgiving! Oral Final Exams Social 9:00-10:00 Oral Final Exams Complete Course Evaluation Oral Final Exams Complete Course Evaluation Final Exam in Class Final Paper due in Blackboard as a safeassignment Questions Due: Online by Nov. 7. Remember that your questions are due online by this Friday, Nov. 7. Late submissions will jeopardize your grade on this assignment. * You will be graded on your presentation of the question so make sure that you have practiced asking the question out loud several times so you present yourself in a manner that is polished and professional. Prepare for Group Presentation on Service Projects. Complete Group Evaluations Review Notes. Review Study Guide. Prepare and Practice for Oral Final Exams. Prepare and Practice for Oral Final Exams. Work on Final Paper. Work on Final Paper Work on Final Paper Enjoy your holiday break! Continue to serve and advocate for justice in your community. 7

Policies and Procedures Class Policy on Attendance: Class Policy on Electronic Devices Class Participation: Statement of Plagiarism: Intellectual growth and success in college is reinforced through interaction in the classroom. Students reach personal goals and course outcomes through regular and prompt attendance. Therefore, if a student is absent three (3) times the student will be subjected to a grade of F or FW per policy stated under the Withdrawal from Classes section on this syllabus. NB: Due to the nature of my full time work, I will strictly adhere to this policy. Turn off and put away all cell phones, beepers, pagers for the duration of class unless you are the primary caregiver of a dependent. Do not use them during class (unless it is for an assignment, with the instructor s permission.) If there is a true emergency, please let me know. You are expected to participate in class discussion. You are expected to come to class prepared and having read and reflected upon all assigned reading. If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. PLEASE NOTE: All papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/databases. Citation Guidelines: Withdrawal from Classes Policy: Calumet College of St. Joseph uses citation guidelines, generally MLA or APA format, to document sources quoted or paraphrased in student papers. Check the syllabus for each course to see what each instructor requires. The Library has reference copies of each manual; the Follett has copies for sale when required by the instructor. In addition, there are brief MLA and APA checklists in your spiral Student Handbook and Planner and on the Library website and literature rack. These texts show how to cite references from many sources, including electronic media, as well as how to space and indent the Works Cited and References pages respectively. EBSCO and ProQuest articles provide both formats for you to copy and paste. Proper documentation avoids plagiarism. After the last day established for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered and wish to discontinue. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be completed with the Office of Academic Advising and filed with the Registrar. The Office of Academic Advising must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests should be submitted in person or, when an in-person visit is not possible, 8

may be mailed to the Office of Academic Advising, emailed, or faxed to 219-473- 4336. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. If the request requires instructor approval per the College calendar, it must be forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored by the faculty member, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal from the Registrar after meeting or speaking with a member from Academic Advising, Financial Aid and Athletics (if applicable). These departments will notify the student of academic, financial, and athletic eligibility effects of a possible withdrawal. If the request is denied by the faculty member, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Please note that if the request does not require instructor approval, the student must still meet or speak with a member from Academic Advising, Financial Aid and Athletics (if applicable) before the withdrawal will be processed. An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Discontinuing a course without a written request for withdrawal automatically incurs an "FW" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule). Failure to Withdraw (FW) is indicated when the student does not complete withdrawal paperwork with the Office of Academic Advising nor does the student notify the instructor of their intent to withdraw due to an illness, accident, grievous personal loss, or other circumstances beyond the student s control. This grade is submitted by the instructor at the end of term. Student Success Center: Disability Services: Resources The Student Success Center supports Calumet College of St. Joseph students through an interactive learning experience. Students work with faculty tutors to develop course competencies and study skills such as time management, test preparation, and note taking. In addition, students are provided with tutoring support to help pass courses, to improve grade point average, and to promote continuing education and career advancement. Tutors have a specific charge: to help students learn how to master specific subject matter and to develop effective learning skills. The Student Success Center is open to all students at Calumet College of St. Joseph at no charge and is available to support academic courses at the introductory and advanced levels. For assistance, please contact the Student Success Center at 219 473-4287 or stop by the Library. Disability Services strives to meet the needs of all students by providing academic services in accordance with Americans Disability Act (ADA) guidelines. Students must meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services to complete an intake form in order to request an accommodation and/or an auxiliary aid (e.g., additional time for tests, note taking assistance, special testing arrangements, etc.). It is the student s responsibility to contact the Academic Support Programs Office to request an accommodation at least one month prior to enrollment for each academic term. Students who are requesting an accommodation and/or an auxiliary aid must submit documentation from a professional 9

health care provider to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The cost of obtaining the professional verification is the responsibility of the student. If a student believes that he or she needs a reasonable accommodation of some kind because of a physical, psychological, or mental condition, he or she should contact Disabilities Services. The Coordinator will secure documentation pertinent to the disability and work with faculty and staff, if necessary, to address the matter. All questions and inquiries pertaining to disability services should be directed to the Disability Services Coordinator at 219-473-4349. CCSJ Alert: Calumet College of St. Joseph utilizes an emergency communications system that transmits messages via text, email, and voice platforms. In the event of an emergency, of weather related closings, or of other incidents, those students who are registered for the system shall receive incident specific message(s) notifying them of the situation. Please sign-up for this important service at any time on the College s website. Alternatively, you can register at the time you register for classes. This service requires each user to register once per academic year. Therefore, at the beginning of each academic year, please remember to re-register for the system. This can be done at: http://www.ccsj.edu/alerts/index.html. School Closing Information: Internet: http://www.ccsj.edu http://www.emergencyclosings.com Facility: Calumet College of St. Joseph Phone: 219.473.4770 Radio: WAKE 1500 AM WGN - 720 AM WIJE 105.5 FM WLS 890 AM WZVN 107.1 FM WBBM NEWS RADIO 78 TV Channels: 2, 5, 7, 9, 32 10