SFS 539 – INTRODUCTION TO FORMATION IN THE FRANCISCAN TRADITION    Maury Smith, ofm

 

 

DESCRIPTION: This course will present and analyze classical and contemporary theologies of Franciscan formation based upon nuanced responses to Francis of Assisi's question: "Who are you, O Lord, and who am I?" The Franciscan formative experience will be presented as a process of socialization which requires clearly articulated values, the handing on of the Franciscan narrative, and appropriate structures for this to transpire. The goal of the course isfor the students to develop and/or critique a formative process for their personal, provincial and cultural situations based upon the material analyzed.

 

 

Web page:   http://in.geocities.com/maurysmith

 

 

Goal 1 – Students will identify important themes of the Franciscan tradition that give direction to the process of Franciscan formation.

 

Objective 1 – Students will explore the Franciscan understanding of the Trinity as self-communicative, self-diffusive and all good.

Objective 2 – Students will explore Francis’ insight into Jesus Christ as kenosis and how Francis lived that self-emptying in his daily life and prayer.

Objective 3 – Students will explore the life of Francis as the forma minorum.

Objective 4 – Students will identify components of the Franciscan charism that are foundational for the formation of new Franciscans.

 

Goal 2 – Students will investigate different leadership styles which impact the Franciscan formation process.

 

Objective 1 – Students will use instruments which identify their leadership style (i.e., the Johari Window, the Hershey-Blanchard Situational Leadership instrument, etc.).

Objective 2 – Students will investigate how spiritual direction of a group or of a community is an important function of leadership.

 

Goal 3 – Students will utilize contemporary sociological and psychological information applicable to the varied generations of candidates.

 

Objective 1 – Students will become familiar with resources regarding cultural diversity and its impact on formation.

Objective 2 – Students will examine literature describing the Millennial Generation’s lifestyle and perspective and

its impact on formation.

Objective 3 – Students will examine Postmodernism and its impact on candidates in formation.

 

Goal 4 – Students will investigate and utilize methodologies appropriate to Franciscan formation.

 

Objective 1 – Students will employ theological reflection as a link between the Franciscan tradition and

lived Franciscan experience.

Objective 2 – Students will explore and utilize Values Clarification model as a method for both examining and linking imagined and lived values.

Objective 3 – Students will be introduced to System Theory as a resource for making adjustments and adaptations in a formation program.

Objective 3 – Students will experience and practice the principles of an Adult Creative Learning Community.

 

 

Requirements and Grading:

 

1) Completion of assigned reading for the class assigned. All Students and AUDITERS  

    are required to do the reading indicated after REQUIRED READING.

 

2) High active participation in class discussion is expected of all students.

    (A third of the final grade).

 

3) Students will volunteer to be presenters of summary of discussions, demonstrations,

    role plays, etc. -(A third of the final grade).

 

All students must have an opportunity to present once before a student may volunteer a second time.

 

4) July 28 – The FINAL EXAMINATION:

The student will be asked to write a brief essay on several themes from class materials, required reading and

from the Team Study Project.  This will be given to the students Wednesday night at 9:45 pm

and returned Thursday night at 7:45 pm.  (A third of the final grade).

 

Grading Scale:

 

A = Excellent work for Graduate School

Student demonstrates an excellent grasp of the material, articulates her/his thought in a clear and logical manner, evidences appropriate insight and the ability to make connections beyond the content of the class, and demonstrates a broad understanding and deep grasp of the material.

B+ = Very Good work for Graduate School

Student demonstrates a very good grasp of the material, articulates her/his thought in a clear and logical manner, evidences appropriate insight, and demonstrates the ability to make connections beyond the content of the class.

B = Good and Adequate work for Graduate School.

Student demonstrates an average grasp of the material and is able to articulate her/his thought in a clear and logical manner, and is able to explain and communicate the content of the class.

C = Inadequate work for Graduate School.

F = Failure

I = A final grade of “incomplete” cannot be given unless serious and grave reasons beyond the student’s control prevent the student from completing all the work and assignments of the semester.

 

Students are bound by the University Policy with regard to Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.

 

Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Services Office, Doyle room 26, at 375-2065 as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

 

The course sessions will follow a developmental sequence. There will be a CD with abundant resources.  If you have a laptop, please bring it with you.  We will use Powerpoint. A Powerpoint viewer program will be on the CD. According to standard procedures a nominal fee will be required to defray the cost of handouts.