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2021-2022 Saint Joseph’s College Online Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Non-Credit Courses
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Non-Credit Course Offerings
TH 13 - World Youth Day: The Mission Experience
For over 30 years, the Church invites its youth from all over the globe to celebrate their Catholic heritage at World Youth Day. Implemented by Pope Saint John Paul II, this unique pilgrimage affords youth opportunities “to examine their deepest aspirations, to heighten their sense of belonging to the Church, to proclaim their common faith in the crucified and risen Christ with increasing joy and courage” (World Youth Day VIII Message). This Continuing Education Unit presents materials on the role of missionary discipleship, the essential nature of accompaniment, and the importance of collaboration as the means to prepare communities for this special celebration.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Discover the importance of an evangelizing presence in the 21st century.
2. Understand the importance of the baptismal call to be missionary disciples.
3. Describe the charisms of missionary discipleship and relate them to specific lay saints.
4. Identify the different ways of collaborating and recognize the importance of Christcentered collaboration.
5. Distinguish between the roles of an event coordinator and a pilgrim leader.
6. Connect the importance of encounter, accompany, and send to ministry work.
Credits: 0
TH 14 - Catholic Political Responsibility: Building the Kingdom of God
The American political climate is becoming more polarized. In the midst of this political tension, Catholics have a moral duty and baptismal responsibility to study the issues, pray, and vote based on conscience (c.f. Gaudium et spes, no. 75). The Church may not endorse specific candidates or political parties; it does, however, advise Catholics on core Catholic Social Teaching principles (e.g. human dignity, solidarity, care for common home) that may be addressed within specific local, state, and national issues.
This continuing education unit discusses Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to engage in missionary action to continue building the kingdom of God through an evangelizing presence and political engagement. Students will review the importance of the New Evangelization, understand how one’s call to be a missionary disciple affects one’s personal and public life, and develop a pastoral outreach media piece to help inform others on specific local, state, and national issues.
Assignment Overview
5 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Define the term New Evangelization.
2. Examine how the New Evangelization is a “re-proposing of the Gospel”.
3. Review specific selections from Sacred Scriptures and Magisterial documents pertaining to evangelization and political outreach.
4. Assess current pastoral programming specifically toward Catholic Social Teaching principles.
5. Differentiate between evangelization and “de-evangelization” encounters.
6. Analyze the two “feet” of justice: social justice and charitable works.
7. Design a faith-formation media outreach program for a specific local, state, or national political issue.
Credits: 0
TH 15 - The Catechism for Catechists
The Catechism for Catechists is an online non-credit course for students at any level that provides intellectual formation for catechists and can serve idealy as the doctrinal component for diocesan catechist certification programs. For those serving as parish catechists or teaching the Catholic faith in the Catholic school system, as well as those interested in general adult faith formation or RCIA, it enables students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
- Understand and articulate the foundations of Catholic doctrine;
- Converse on matters of Sacred Scripture;
- Differentiate between missions and natures of the Trinity and the Church;
- Explain the liturgy and the sacraments;
- Discern the different aspects of Catholic spirituality;
- Understand and articulate Catholic moral teaching.
Credits: 0
TH 16 - Ministry and New Media
“Keeping the doors of our churches open also means keeping them open in the digital environment so that people, whatever their situation in life, can enter, and so that the Gospel can go out to reach everyone” (Pope Francis’ Message on XLVIII World Communications Day). Engagement in the 21st century requires knowledge about different media platforms and understanding how to leverage specific media to design ministry opportunities and build an online evangelization presence. Moving from maintenance to mission asks baptized Christians to collaborate with their communities in their outreach toward not only their religious community, but also the greater world.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Define “New Evangelization”.
2. Trace the “call to evangelize” through specific Magisterial documents.
3. Explore and evaluate popular social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube).
4. Review current communications guidelines from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
5. Develop or re-design a specific social media strategy for ministry.
6. Learn ways to schedule posts and engage social media followers.
Credits: 0
TH 17 - Marriage and Family Life
“Christian marriage is a genuine call from God which demands careful discernment, constant prayer and adequate growth and development,” notes the Synod of Bishops in Relatio Finalis (57). Marriage is the beginning of a journey, the journey of a couple together.
This course introduces participants to Church teachings exploring the role of marriage in modern society. Focus will be placed on how marriage is vocational and a place of evangelization. Participants will assess current parish programming for couples, engage in a sacred art application of 1 Corinthians 13, and produce an intergenerational evangelization audio-visual resource.
Assignment Overview
5 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Develop an understanding of the marriage vocation through historic and theological contexts.
2. Reflect on specific Magisterial documents whose focus is on marriage and family (Amoris Laetitia, Evangelii Nuntiandi, Familiaris Consortio, and Caritas in Veritate).
3. Discuss current programming for dating, engaged, and married couples.
4. Understand how the sacrament of marriage is rooted in the relationship of the Holy Trinity.
5. Reflect upon 1 Corinthians 13 through a Sacred Art Exploration exercise.
6. Identify challenges that may occur within marital life, specifically about procreation.
7. Develop and design an evangelization media resource on marriage and family specifically for your community’s needs.
Credits: 0
TH 18 - Philosophy for Catholic Theology
Within the parameters of the Catholic Faith, this course is to provide an introduction to philosophy, in particularly its relation to and central role in understanding theological concepts and terms. A historical survey will provide insight into the development of philosophical thought. The basics of Aristotelean/Thomistic logic will provide the groundwork for critical thinking and reasoned arguments. A concise presentation of the main branches of philosophy will be presented, followed with an understanding of the human person. Finally, as an application, various points of ethics will be covered along with selected issues that challenge the faith in the contemporary cultural.
Assignment Overview
12 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify and articulate the particular goals of both philosophy and theology, where they converge and contrast, and the harmony between them as a mutual pursuit of truth.
2. Become familiar with the major branches of philosophy, and understand the basic questions they seek to satisfy relative to their field of study.
3. Be introduced to the major philosophical figures of the ancient world, and recognize how Christianity ‘baptized’ their reasoning in and through the Christian Middle Ages.
4. Recognize the critical turn of modern philosophy beginning in the 17th century, and through the Enlightenment its effect on contemporary culture, particularly towards an understanding of the human person.
5. Navigate and disentangle the erroneous conflicts between faith and reason and in recognizing both the foundations and strengths/weaknesses of an argument, apply that knowledge in presenting the Christian faith to the present culture.
Credits: 0
TH 23 - Care for Our Common Home
From the beginning of Creation, God tasks humanity “to cultivate and care for” the Earth (Genesis 2:15). Humanity, therefore, receives the gift of stewardship. In this divinely appointed role, according to Pope Francis, “we can see God reflected in all that exists, [and] our hearts are moved to praise the Lord for all his creatures” (Laudato Si, 87). This stewardship role will be explored first through the missionary lens before investigating how it applies to the care for our common home. Participants will review the specific language of Laudato Si and discover a specific application to astronomy. Participants finally will design an Opus Laudis (Work of Praise) to discuss how they will put the teachings of Laudato Si into practice.
Assignment Overview
5 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Recognize the importance of an evangelizing nature.
2. Investigate the formation dimensions (human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral).
3. Define the term the New Evangelization.
4. Understand the historical development of the term: New Evangelization.
5. Trace the history of Church teaching centered on being stewards of Creation.
6. Discover that both faith and science are conversations about the Universe.
7. Plan an Opus Laudis (Word of Praise) for putting the teaching of Laudato Si into practice.
Credits: 0
TH 24 - Ministry and the Importance of Self-Care
Encouraged by Pope Francis’ invitation “to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, styles and methods of evangelization”, faith communities are embracing new, innovative ministry programs while revising current programming (Evangelii Gaudium, 33). This renewal of missionary vigor often leads to increased workloads, and self-care is usually the first personal item sacrificed. This Continuing Education Unit therefore begins with understanding the role of Lay Ecclesial Ministry and its challenges before delving into an exploration of the essential need for self-care. The main goal will be to develop proactive strategies to prevent burnout in a Personal Self-Care Plan.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Trace the history and role of Lay Ecclesial Ministers within Magisterial documents and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ materials.
2. Reflect on personal formation as a Lay Ecclesial Minister.
3. Identify and evaluate cultural challenges faced within ministry work.
4. Investigate different modes of a ministry of presence.
5. Explore strategies for spiritual and emotional self-care to support healthy, sustainable ministry.
6. Learn skills for building personal resilience and preventing ministry burnout.
7. Collaborate with peers in online discussion boards.
8. Research and design a personal plan for self-care.
Credits: 0
TH 32 - Encountering Neighbor: Hispanic and Latino Ministry
Waves of migrants and of refugees pose new challenges to faith-based communities. Keeping the greatest commandment, the Golden Rule, at the heart of ministry work may mean shifting and enhancing existing resources (Matthew 7:12). What if one’s neighbor does not speak the native language? Or, what if one’s neighbor has a culturally different approach to faith? Should these questions hinder any encounters? No. In fact, evangelization and education become more essential.
This Continuing Education Unit explores the importance of an evangelizing presence. Participants will investigate the importance of collaboration and the current cultural challenges specific to the Hispanic and Latino communities. At the conclusion of the unit, participants will reflect on their current ministry work using the See, Judge, Act Method (Mater et Magistra, No. 236).
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Classify the three models of an evangelizing presence.
2. Reflect on the importance of Christ-centered Collaboration in an evangelizing
ministry.
3. Reflect on the stages of accompaniment.
4. Learn practical, tangible ways to help immigrants within faith communities.
5. Explore the reality of US immigration using the See, Judge, Act Method introduced
by His Holiness Pope Saint John XXIII.
6. Identify and apply the five Principles of Migration.
7. Learn about the history of Encuentro in the United States.
8. Participate in discussion forums.
9. Submit a See, Judge, Act Strategy as a final assessment.
Credits: 0
TH 33 - The Laity and the Call to Joyful Witness in the Apostolate
Participants will understand the importance of participating in sacred liturgy and connect this
participation to their missionary mandate to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord and one
another” (Concluding Rites, USCCB). This course is designed in two units. This first unit centers
on the Mass and specific faith community needs; the second showcases the New Evangelization
and Pope Francis’ evangelization methods “to repropose the call to holiness in a practical way
for our time” (Gaudete et Exsultate, No. 2). A final audio assessment will be an opportunity for
participants to address a specific ministry and reflect on its missionary outreach—its capacity to
be a joyful witness.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Assess aspects of your ministry’s operation and mission.
2. Interpret research data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
3. Develop different methods and opportunities to improve your ministry.
4. Review practical applications for “new ways of bringing the gospel to all” (c.f. Pope Benedict XVI’s Address to Catechists and Religion Teachers, Jubilee of Catechists, 2000).
5. Identify specific characteristics of Pope Francis’ evangelization.
6. Define the term New Evangelization.
7. Explore challenges that the Church faces in the modern world.
8. Compose an audio file featuring The Joy of Mission within Ministry for your specific community’s needs.
9. Participate in Discussion Forums on specific lesson materials.
Credits: 0
TH 34 - Pope Francis and Evangelization
In an interview with America Magazine, Pope Francis commented, “Let us try also to be a church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself” (“A Big Heart Open to God: An Interview with Pope Francis”). This invitation to “find new roads” and encounter others along our faith journey is one of the marks of this papacy. Pope Francis, therefore, encourages the baptized to renew their missionary calling and discover new ways to proclaim the Good News.
Participants in this course will explore the characteristics of Pope Francis and will learn more about this missionary message within his writings. To conclude this CEU, participants will design a three minute video featuring selections from His Holiness’ writings that are pertinent to their ministry.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Credits: 0
TH 36 - Suffering: How to Accompany Others with Dignity
“Suffering, which has many levels and dimensions, can often be the most challenging aspect of the life of a disciple of Christ,” according to Christian author Aurelie A. Hagstrom. Then, why does God allow for suffering? What are some contemporary issues that cause suffering? How might faith communities encounter and accompany those in the midst of suffering? This Continuing Education Unit explores these questions and provides participants with practical, pastoral strategies to enhance ministerial outreach.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Discuss the redemptive nature of suffering.
2. Analyze the connection of suffering to character development.
3. Discuss what the Catholic community can do to respond to domestic violence.
4. Define post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and moral injuries.
5. Compare faith-based programs to Veteran Support Organizations (VSOs).
6. Understand the process of forgiveness and healing in the restoration of human dignity.
7. Analyze the two “feet” of justice: social justice and charitable works.
8. State the four dimensions of missionary discipleship.
9. Compose a written and accompanying audio reflection exploring a specific topic of suffering.
10. Participate in discussion forums related to lesson materials.
Credits: 0
TH 37 - Intentional Black Catholic Ministry
“There are 3 million African American Catholics in the United States,” according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ African American Demographics. How are Catholic faith communities educating themselves about the rich history of Black Catholicism in the United States? Are communities engaging in discussions about the social challenges facing this specific faith group? What are some ideas for improving ministry efforts to educate others about the Black Catholic community’s contributions? These questions are just a few that this Continuing Education Unit explores.
Participants will reflect on their own evangelization encounters, discuss the impact of social sins on this specific community, and consider ways in which they may enhance or change current ministry efforts.
Assignment Overview
6 Lessons - Pass/Fail
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Explore themes celebrating the cultural richness of the Black Catholic community.
2. Identify key figures from Black Catholic U.S. history.
3. Review history of and the current work of the National Black Catholic Congress.
4. Consider specific parts of the pastoral plan developed by the National Black Catholic Congress.
5. Identify specific action steps for groups and for individuals to consider for improving race relations.
6. Reflect on ministry and its current outreach toward people of color.
7. Observe the contextual frame of “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism”.
8. Analyze and review current data about racial disparity in the criminal justice system.
9. Learn ways of educating others about racial social crises.
10. Participate in discussion forums related to lesson materials.
Credits: 0
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