Dear student,

When you were young, you were greatly "formed" by influences of which you were not even aware. As you grow older, you need to take as much control of your own self as you can. As you mature, the real responsiblity for your education, growth, well being and happiness is more and more with you.

Freshman year is a time of tremendous change. It will probably, at times, be difficult, confusing, discouraging. But it will also be exciting, fun and exhilarating. I am here for you. I am here to help you grow intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually. I will do all I can, but I cannot make you do anything.

How you learn is not graded. But realize that there will be continuous suggestions concerning how to best learn the material. Students are strongly urged (encouraged, pleaded) to follow the teacher's recommendations concerning note keeping and study.

I am available before school, during activity period or can be reached at home (home phone: 771-2098). I get to school and open the library by 6:45am. At the beginning of most activity periods I am in J127. Before school or during activity period is the best time to see me.

I hope you like coming to class, learn a lot about yourself, about God, and about learning. And I hope I do too!

AMDG + M.Sciuto





Men for Others: Open to Growth, Academically Competent,
Religious, Loving, Committed to Doing Justice



Freshman Theology


The ultimate and ever present goal of what we are doing in this course is trying to foster a true metanoia, a conversion, a change of mind and heart, away from sin and towards freely and knowlingly trying to put on the mind and heart of Jesus.



OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this course, students will
� Be able to describe the structure of the Hebrew Scriptures and literary styles.
� Be able to identify many Jewish heroes and tell of their significance then & now.
� Have a good knowledge about salvation history before Jesus
� Understand the foundations of the Catholic Faith, and begin to consider what it really means to be Christian and a Catholic
� Be able to describe where he and SLUH (school, mission) fit into the Jesuit Tradition, as well as the contemporary world.
� Have had the opportunity to learn more about organization, study and learning skills.
� Have gained some knowledge about the American Civil Rights Movement


TEXTS:

Understanding Catholic Christianity by Thomas Zanzig.
The New American Bible, St. Joseph's Edition. (used all four years)
Hebrew Scriptures workbook


MATERIALS:

During class, you will need 
	
		**  Text books (as announced)
		**  Two pocket folder
		**  Pencil case, with pencils, rule, pens and highlighter
		**  Loose-leaf paper  (for notes, pop-quizzes, in class assignments)
		**  spiral notebook




GENERAL GUIDELINES: 

	**BE RESPECTFUL     **BE RESPONSIBLE     **BE PREPARED



GRADING: Students earn points in this course. In general, grades will be determinded on a point basis as described upon each assignment. Assignments can include a combination of any of the following: written (in-class or homework); creative thinking and/or writing; individual or group activities, and possible special projects.

CREDIT IS EARNED IN THIS CLASS If an assignment or quiz or test is missed, it is the responsibility of the student to get the work done. A student can lose points by careless or irresponsible work.

THERE WILL BE READING QUIZZES are given to improve preparation for class discussion. Expect a quiz after each reading assignment.

SPELLING AND NEATNESS COUNT! On quizzes/tests the misspelling of key words makes the answer incorrect. During the first quarter misspellings will be corrected withou penalty. Second quarter -1 pt per assignment for a lack of attention to spelling or grammar on any assignment. Second semester penalties will increase. Attention to detail is one of the most important things you should learn at SLUH.

CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED This includes copying homework or plagiarism. The consequence will be substantial. See student handbook.

LATE WORK WILL BE PENALIZED 10% off per class late, up to -30%. Assignments will have a final due date, but can be handed in early. Most assignments are week long or more. Assignments are designed to be done slowly and with time for reflection. Homework invariably sets us the class due, hence doing the same work and handing it in late does not accomplish the goal of the assignment. The worst thing you can have in my grade book is a ND, which does not stand for Notre Dame.

THESE KIND OF EXCUSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED: "I FORGOT!" "I DID NOT KNOW" "I LOST" The key difference between a student who does well and one who struggles at SLUH is not intellectual ability but organization and discipline. You will be taught organizational skills in many areas throughout your freshman year. I will not reinforce lack of learning in this area. You will only be given handouts once--if you lose these you must get them on your own. There are many ways to accomplish this, e.g. make a copy from a classmates go to the internet site.

TARDINESS If you are late to class and we are in the midst of prayer, respectfully wait inside the door and join us for prayer. After prayer, please leave your card on my desk, take your seat and see me after class. ANY UNEXCUSED late arrival that results in the missing of a quiz or in-class assignment risks receiving NO CREDIT (zero points) for the assignment.

ABSENCES It is the student's responsibility to get missed work. Three key questions should be asked of a reliable classmate. (1) Was there any quiz or class assignment which earned points? (2) Class notes and/or handouts? (3) Homework or announced assignments, quizzes? If the student does this and still needs additional help,then the teacher should be consulted.
Realize that if you go to a classmate and ask "What did we do in class?" and he says "nothing" he is blowing you off. He just does not want to take the time to take out his notes and give you what we did. Ask someone who is responsible and generous. If you do thi sand still have more quesitons, check the course web site ot call me/see me for help.
CONTRACTS could be writtten by the student and approved by the teacher. Points would be earned for fulfilling the contract. I am very open to your own ideas and desires for learning.

STUDENTS SHOULD KEEP ALL THEIR WORK THOROUGHOUT THE COURSE. This is necessary for study and review and for record keeping. Students should be able to produce evidence of their effort though their collected works.

How to really get an assigned reading! The key is to READ ACTIVELY!

1. Skim the headings of the assigned reading. If there are questions to guide the study, read them after you do your skimming.
2. Read the assignment all.... the way through without any underlining or note-taking.
3. Go back over the reading and underline and highlight major ideas. Begin by using Adler�s guidelines about �How to Mark A Book.�
4. If needed, do an outline of major ideas or take additional notes as needed.
5. Review and study the assignment.




Please send any comments, suggestions
or corrections to Matthew Sciuto		 Return to Freshman Theology Home Page

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