Pontifex University

MTS Program

 

Foundations of Catechesis

3 credit hours

Professor: Arielle Harms, PhD

 

 

 

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the foundations of catechesis.  Beginning with an examination of the mission of the Church, the course will look at the place of catechesis in the realization of the mission.  The nature and goals of Catechetical instruction will be studied and contrasted with other types of education, including theological education.  The relationship of Scripture, Catechisms and Liturgy as sources of catechetical instruction in the Church will be examined.  the class will conclude with a look at the situation of those to be catechized and the office and role of the catechist.

 

Texts and Required Materials:

 

Augustine, On the Catechizing of the Uninstructed.  Available online at: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1303.htm

 

John Paul II. Catechesi Tradendae: On Catechesis in Our Time. 1979.

 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. National Directory for Catechesis. 2005.

 

Vatican II. Lumen Gentium. 1964. Available online.

 

Various handouts provided by the instructor.

 

System Requirements:

This course is offered asynchronously on our LMS, NEO.  To access the course and complete it successfully, you will need an internet capable device with sound and a current internet browser: either the current or the previous release of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, or Internet Explorer 11+ (for Windows 8 and previous versions), and Microsoft Edge (for Windows 10+) to run the LMS.  In addition, courses require the use of, a PDF viewer, word-processing software compatible with Microsoft Office suite and a current email address. For help with the NEO platform see the Help Center in the LMS, found by clicking on the “?” in the upper right hand corner after you have logged in.  For log in questions, registration questions, or problems with missing content or content malfunctions, contact the teaching assistant, Elizabeth Froula at [email protected].

 

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to give an account of:

1.        The place of Catechesis in the Mission of the Church
2.        The nature and goals of Catechetical Instruction
3.        How Catechetical instruction differs from other types of education
4.        The sources of Catechetical instruction in the life of the Church
5.        The personal nature of Catechesis

 

Grading Criteria:

 

Class engagement 10%

Projects/Assignments 40%

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 30%

 

Course Expectations and Policies:

Students in this course are expected to read, discuss, and write about the course content in a way that reflects the competency of graduate level theological studies.  Proper grammar and good writing style is expected both in longer and shorter written assignments.

 

Any discovered instance of plagiarism will not be tolerated.  All submitted work should be original.  Any direct quotes or paraphrasing of other authors should be cited properly using in-text citations for shorter assignments or Chicago Manual of Style for essays and papers.  The professor is happy to help you give proper credit for sources used.  If you have questions, please ask.  Penalties for violations may include grade reduction or course failure.

 

Description of Assignments:

•      Papers: will periodically gauge the student’s engagement with the overarching themes of the course. All essays require a strong introduction, appropriate thesis statement, well-supported argument, and a solid conclusion.  Graduate level writing ability, expression, grammar, and use of sources are expected.
•      There will be one “in class” presentation project that puts to use what is learned in the class. The details for this project can be found in Lesson 12 and the project is due in either lesson 12 or 13, depending on what the student chooses.
•      There will be one case study project, due at the end of the course. The student will be asked to examine a particular catechetical program or curriculum, applying the themes and ideas present in the course, and write a 10-12 page paper.  Invention, organization and style will be stressed.  Paper topics with a proposed outline must be approved by the professor.  Once you have an idea for the topic, submit the idea to the professor for approval before beginning work on the outline and the paper.  The topic may be proposed at any time, however, it is suggested that you wait to start outlining and writing until you are half-way through the course or more. 
•      The midterm exam will gauge the student’s familiarity with the texts under consideration.
•      The final exam will gauge the student’s overall understanding of the course material. The final exam will test both the student’s engagement with the course’s overarching themes and with the details of the course texts.  The final exam will be comprehensive. 

The course is offered asynchronously on our LMS, NEO.  To access the course and complete it successfully, you will need an internet capable device with sound and a current internet browser: either the current or the previous release of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, or Internet Explorer 11+ (for Windows 8 and previous versions), and Microsoft Edge (for Windows 10+) to run the LMS.  In addition, courses require the use of microphone and webcam, a PDF viewer, word-processing software compatible with Microsoft Office suite and a current email address. For help with the NEO platform see the Help Center in the LMS, found by clicking on the “?” in the upper right hand corner after you have logged in.  For log in questions, registration questions, or problems with missing content or content malfunctions, contact the teaching assistant, Elizabeth Froula at [email protected]

 

Course Outline:

 

Part I: Catechesis in the Mission of the Church

Lesson 1:

Introduction

The Church

Reading: Lumen Gentium Chapters 1-4

 

Lesson 2:

Mission of the Church and Catechesis

Reading: Lumen Gentium Chapter 5-8 and National Directory for Catechesis Introduction and Chapter 2.

 

Lesson 3:

Nature and Goals of Catechesis

Reading: Catechesi Tradendae Introduction and Chapters 1-3 and National Directory for Catechesis Chapter 6

 

Lesson 4:

Catechesis and Christian Formation

Reading: Handouts: General Directory for Catechesis pp 61-68; America Magazine; Circular Letter on Religious Education in Catholic Schools

 

Lesson 5:

The Role of the Catechist

Reading: National Directory for Catechesis Chapter 8, Catechesi Tradendae Chapter 9

 

Lesson 6:

The Person to be Catechized

Reading: National Directory for Catechesis Chapters 1 and 7; Catechesi Tradendae Chapters 5 and 8

 

Lesson 7:

The Person to be Catechized (continued)

Reading: Handouts: Confronting Secularism Today; Hispanic Ministry; Hispanic Ministry in Catholic Parishes

 

Midterm

 

 

Part II: Methods and Sources of Catechesis

Lesson 8:

Introduction to Methods of Catechesis

Reading: National Directory for Catechesis Chapter 4; Catechesi Tradendae Chapters 6 & 7

 

Lesson 9:

Augustine and The Ecclesial Method

Reading: Augustine, On the Catechizing of the Uninstructed; handout: The Mystery We Proclaim

 

 

Lesson 10:

RCIA

Reading: Handouts: General Directory for Catechesis, pp. 55-61; Excerpts from The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults; handouts

 

Lesson 11:

Sources of Catechesis

Reading: National Directory for Catechesis, Chapters 3 and 5;

 

Lesson 12:

Scripture as a Source

Readings: Catechesi Tradendae Chapter 4; Handouts: How to Use the Bible in Catechesis; Cyril of Jerusalem’s Use of the Bible in Catechesis

 

Lesson 13:

Liturgy as a Source

Readings: Handouts: To Be What We Celebrate; Catechesis and Liturgy; Liturgical Catechesis in the Parish

 

Lesson 14:

Catechisms and Textbooks

Readings: National Directory for Catechesis, Chapter 10; Handouts: Fidei Depositum; Laetamur Magnopere; Handbook on the Conformity Review Process

 

Lesson 15:

Conclusion

Readings: Handouts: Catechesis and Moral Theology; The Vision of Pope Francis for Catechesis

 

Final Exam

 

Proprietary Interest Policy:

Faculty are permitted to refer to notable past work and achievements (including publications and educational activities not offered by Pontifex University, and even those offered for personal profit) in their published biography on the Pontifex website and course promotions. In the context of educational activities undertaken for Pontifex University, including videos, live or recorded, teachers, can recommend or bring to the attention such work for students (even if for personal profit, for example, books or podcasts) but only with approval by Pontifex University and when it is related to the teaching purpose of the class.  An instructor’s related work will be noted in the syllabus as appropriate.  Instructors may use their own materials as required in their courses and learning events as long as the materials are appropriate for the particular learning event.

 

Failure to comply with this policy will result in a warning or administration modification of course materials. Violations of this policy should be reported to the Provost.