Syllabus

= Morality and Justice = ** Ms. Shields **

This course will consider the role of morality and justice in forming our lives as Christians. Our response to justice issues, in light of Catholic Social Teaching, will be examined, as well as our responsibility to life issues. We will also study the importance of properly forming and informing our conscience, utilizing the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our main resource.

Course Objectives: · Understand Catholic social justice principles as an essential part of the Catholic faith tradition · Apply Catholic social justice principles to life decisions and justice issues · Articulate Catholic moral principles and their relevance to today’s issues · Recognize and apply virtues of a Christian life · Develop appreciation for the dignity of each person as made in the image of God · Research a complex moral or justice issue from various perspectives · Understand the role of Christian conscience in moral decision making · Access encyclicals and Church documents as sources

Grading: The standard grading scale will be used; A = 93 - 100% B = 85 - 92% C = 77 - 84% D = 69 - 76% F = 0 - 68%

Final grade considerations: · Cooperation/Respect · Tests/Quizzes · Daily Assignments

Every day you must come prepared with a notebook, textbook, and writing utensil. **You will not be allowed to go to your locker to retrieve these items and may lose points if not prepared.**

All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day in which they are due. **Daily assignments will NOT be accepted late**. I will drop ONE daily assignment grade per semester. Anything beyond that will be a zero.

In the event that you are gone for a test, you must make arrangements to take the test either before you leave or on the day you return. Tests that are not made up by the end of the grading period will result in a zero.

If you would be better served by taking your test in the study center on a regular basis, please discuss this with me so that arrangements can be made.

Cheating has no place in academic success and will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form! **All assignments and tests** are to be done on your own, unless otherwise instructed by me. If you are having difficulty, please see me for help. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment or test. Plagiarism, presenting someone else’s ideas as one’s own, is also not allowed. This includes paraphrasing without giving credit to the original author. If you are unsure of how to site sources, please see me for help.

You are required to ask for the work missed while being absent and have it turned in promptly (usually the next day). Assignments will be posted on my web page and usually on the board in the front of the room. You are responsible for all homework assignments, notes and discussion that occur, whether you are in class or not. //Morality and Justice// is based heavily on class discussion, and therefore any time missed will leave you at a disadvantage. Work missed due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up and will result in a zero.

Tardiness is unnecessary; therefore students should be in their desk when the bell rings. You are expected to use the restroom, fill your water bottle, etc. **in between classes**. On the rare occasion that the need should arise to do these things during class, please wait until after attendance and prayer to take the pass. You will receive 5 passes to be used during the semester. Once your passes are gone, you may not leave the classroom for any reason. Each pass turned in at the end of the semester will earn you an extra credit point.

Respect of oneself and others is required at all times. Please treat the desks and other shared items in the room with care. All students are responsible for their own belongings and should not touch other people’s property. My computer, desk and belongings are completely off limits to students. If you need to use or borrow something from me, please ask first. I will extend the same courtesy to you.

You are expected to conform to the standards set by the school for dress code. Jackets, sweatshirts and non-O+Gorman fleece brought into the classroom **will be held for you until the end of the day**. Food, soda, coffee, etc. is not allowed in my classroom. However, water in clear plastic bottles is encouraged. Gum is okay as long as I do not see or hear it. If I find gum anywhere other than in the garbage, it will no longer be allowed. Cell phones, MP3 players, Calculators (this isn’t math J ), etc. **will be taken for a period of one week**, if seen or heard. Book bags and materials from other classes should be kept off of your desk during class time. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Please feel free to visit me during my free periods (4th, 5th or 7th) if you have any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to this year and expect that we will learn much from each other!