Christ and the Human Person
Spring 2000
Course: TH 2213 Time: TTH 8:00-9:10 a.m.
Instructor: Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B.
Telephone: (O) 878-5432, (H) 878-5463 (Please, no calls after 10:00 p.m.)
E-mail: frlawrence@sgc.edu
Office: AD 011, (In the Center for Spiritual Development)
Web-site: http://intranet.sgc.edu/people/faculty/frlawrence
Hours: Except for when I am in class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am generally in my office from 9:30-11:50 a.m., and from 1:00-4:00 p.m. I am, however, often in meetings or off campus for various business. You can check my calendar on my web-site. If you need to reach me, please leave a message with Trish Koehler in the CSD or on my answering machine. Spontaneity is good, but appointments are often necessary.
Course Description: This course examines the Christian vision of the human person, the key issues in developing an understanding of the human person which integrates the full richness of the person’s ecclesial, sacramental, physical and transcendental dimensions. The course treats creation, the human person, and redemption in Jesus Christ in light of scripture and the Catholic tradition. Questions posed by modern and contemporary culture are addressed.
Objectives of the Course:
During the semester, the instructor will strive
to cover the topics for the course as listed in the catalogue;
to raise an awareness of the issues of creation, redemption and grace which are fundamental to other disciplines of theology;
to create a foundation from which one might begin to construct a systematic moral theology;
to stir in the student an appreciation of the dynamic of grace at action in his/her life and world.
Goals of the Course:
At the end of the course, the student will be able
to identify and describe biblical sources for a developed Christian anthropology;
to describe the implications of the humanity of Jesus Christ for our own understanding of human dignity and the sanctity of life;
to describe various conceptual models of "Grace" and how they have affected the development of Christian doctrine and spirituality;
to describe how the Roman Catholic Church approaches certain modern issues in light of the Church’s ongoing anthropological tradition;
to critique anthropological models in literature in light of the Christian anthropology developed in the course.
Required Textbooks:
Sachs, John R. The Christian Vision of Humanity. Basic Christian Anthropology. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press 1991.
Dreyer, Elizabeth. Manifestations of Grace. Theology and Life Series 29. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier Inc. 1990.
St. Anselm of Canterbury. Cur Deus Homo: Why God Became Man. Edwin Mellen Press.
Other readings as assigned by the instructor
Recommended Texts:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Method of Student Evaluation
Four written examinations: 40% of final grade
Major written assignment: 20% of final grade
Three short reflection papers: 25% of final grade
Class attendance, homework and participation: 15% of final grade
Assignments are due on the date scheduled. Written assignments turned in late are subject to a deduction of one letter grade. Unless other arrangements are made, assignments will not be accepted if they are more than one week (two class periods) late. Examinations are to be taken when scheduled.
Class attendance:
Students are expected to attend every class and to participate in class discussions. In order to receive full credit for attendance, the student must exhibit that s/he has prepared adequately for class. Daily homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period for which they are assigned and cannot be accepted late. The instructor is to be informed in advance of absences if they will be excused. Use of "chat rooms" and/or the playing of computer "games" during the class period, unless such activity is assigned, will constitute an absence from class.
Course Outline
Part One: Creation and the Human Person
Part Two: Jesus Christ: God’s Word Assumes Human Nature
Part Three: Grace: The Central Question of Christianity?
Tentative Class Schedule
January 11 First Day of Class
Class Policies and Procedures
Pre-assessment
Part One: Creation and the Human Person
January 13 Creation in God’s Image
Please read: Sachs - Chapter 1
January 18 The Gift of Human Freedom
Please read: Sachs - Chapter 2
January 20 The Individual and Community / Humanity: Male and Female
Please read: Sachs - Chapters 3 and 4
January 25 Body and Soul
Please read: Sachs - Chapter 5
January 27 Sin and Death
Please read: Sachs - Chapters 6 and 8
February 1 Exam One
Part Two: Jesus Christ - God’s Word Assumes Human Nature
February 3 Introduction to Christology
** Reflection Paper One Due **
February 8 Jesus Christ: Son of God, Son of Mary
February 10 Cur Deus Homo
February 15 Cur Deus Homo
February 17 Cur Deus Homo
** Reflection Paper Two Due **
Part Three: Grace: The Central Question of Christianity?
February 22 Grace: The Central Question of Christianity?
Please read: Sachs - Chapter 7
Dreyer - Part I (Chapters 1-5)
February 24 Grace: Scriptural Background
Please read: Dreyer - Chapters 6 and 7
February 29 Guest Speaker: Reading Literature Thematically
March 3 Exam Two
March 10 Augustine and Pelagius
Please read: Dreyer - Chapter 8
March 12 Thomas Aquinas
Please read: Dreyer - Chapter 9
** Topic for Major Paper Due **
March 7 Julian of Norwich
Please read: Dreyer - Chapter 10
March 9 Martin Luther
Please read: Dreyer - Chapter 11
March 11-19 Spring Break
March 21 Trent, Molinism, Jansenism
Please read: Dreyer - Chapter 12
March 23 Review Day
March 28 Exam Three
March 30 Grace Today
Please read: Dreyer - Chapters 13 and 14
April 4 Grace Today
Please read: Dreyer - Chapter 15
April 6 Vatican II
** Reflection Paper Three Due**
April 11 Vatican II
April 13 Vatican II
April 18 Student Presentations
April 20 Holy Thursday
April 25 Student Presentations
April 27 Student Presentations
** Major Paper Due **
May 2 Student Presentations
May 7 Last Day of Class
May 8-11 Semester Exams