Religion and The Urban World                                                                   Thomas R. Mockaitis, SAC 422
Office Hours: T/Th, 1-1:30                                                                           x7471; tmockait@depaul.edu
and by appointment                                                                                       Mari Ann Curta, CNA 855
                                                                                                                        312 362-8700; mcurta@depaul.edu

Introduction: This course will differ considerably from most of the classes you will take in college.  We will study the practice of faith and the living out of faith commitments in service to the community. In addition to studying three world religions and observing how they are practiced in Chicago, you will do a service learning project of your own.

Course Goals:

1. Develop greater understanding of world religions
2. Foster respect for religious diversity
3. Appreciate the role of community service in the practice of faith
4. Experience faith communities within the city of Chicago

Common Hour Goals: Available Campus Resources; Using the Library; Using Your DePaul Email; Using Word;
Course Selection/Registration; Time Management; Study Skills; Note Taking; Diversity Appreciation/Respect; Reflection/Critical Thinking; Career/Educational Planning; Personal Safety; Academic Requirements; Advising Social/Campus; Organizations Values; Decision Making

Texts:

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, The Gift of Peace.

Diana Eck, Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banaras.

Saint-Laurent, Spirituality and World Religions

Philip Simmons, Learning to Fall: the Blessings of an Imperfect Life

You will also need a small notebook suitable for use as a journal.  Be sure to carry this journal with you throughout the immersion week and bring it to class during the plus part of the course.

Evaluation: Grades will be awarded according to the following scale: 93-100=A; 90-92=A-;87-89=B+; 83-86=B; 80-82=B-; 77-79=C+; 73-76=C; 70-72=C-; 67-69=D+; 60-66=D; less than 60=F.  Numerical averages will be calculated as follows: reflections pieces = 10%; participation = 10%; 2 papers = 40%; service learning project = 40% (20% field work; 20% final report).

Reflection Pieces: Reflection pieces are due for each class session. These papers are your personal reaction or opinion to the previous week’s reading or activity and should include what information you learned, whether it was useful/informative, and how it did or did not effect you.  They are similar to a diary.  They should not be a statement of what we did but your reaction what we did.  These papers can be short as one or two paragraphs but should not be more than two pages of an 8 ½” by 11” sheet of paper. They shold be typed, double-spaced.  Journals are not graded so do not be afraid to write what you really think, positive or negative.  All submitted journals receive the same number of points.  Papers are due at the beginning of each class.

Attendance and Participation: Since this is a highly participatory, experiential course, attendance is vital. Unexcused absences will adversely effect your grade.  Participation means maintaining a positive and respectful attitude towards the course as well as participating in class discussion.

Course Web Page: The course has its own web page (http://www.depaul.edu/~tmockait/discover).  This web page contains links to course syllabus, schedule, announcements, and other useful information.  Access to this on-line resource is required.

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism as defined on p.59 of A Student Guide to DePaul will result in a grade of "0" on the work in question and may result in further disciplinary action..