Faculty: Dr. Suzanne Toton

Subject/Discipline: Theology
School: Villanova University
Project Area:

Fall 1998

Course Schedule:
Tuesday, 3-5 PM, Center for Peace & Justice, Class Meets
Thursday, 3-6:15 PMm St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Tutoring

Required Activities:
Sunday, September 6, 9:15-1:30 - Mass and Orientation to St. Gabriel's

Saturday, October 3, 9-4 - Diversity Seminar, St. Gabriel's

Monday, November 16, 7 PM, "Entertainng Angels"

Optional Activity:
Sunday, September 27, 9-?, St. Gabriel's Day

Course Description:

This course attempts to implement in both theory and practice Paulo Freire's "conscientization" model of education.

It also builds on the following insights of the Latin American Liberation Theologians: 1) theological reflection begins not with abstract concepts but with a commitment to the poor; 2) economic, political, and social analysis are essential components of theological reflection; 3) action is as essential to reflection as reflection is to action; and 4) the purpose of education, particularly Christian education, is human liberation in its fullest sense.

Thus, the starting point for this course is your own commitment to the poor as expressed by your service.  Through readings, lectures, discussion, guest speakers, films and writing, this course will attempt to provide a more in-depth undertanding of: a) he nature of urban poverty and its causes, b) past and present solutions to the problem, and c) the Christian moral imperative to love the neighbor in light of the above.  Hopefully, this course will enable you to understand better your own "call to service" and explore possible directions for your future.

Course requirements:

1) Punctuality and attendance and participation in every class and tutoring session.

2) Completion of a graded weekly writing assignment.

3) Mid-term and final examinations.

Breakdown of Final Grade:
25% attendance and participation
25% weekly writing assignments
25% mid-term examination
25% final examination

Required Reading:

Kotlowitz, Alex.  There Are No Children Here.  N.Y.: Anchor, 1991.

Edin, Kathryn and Lein, Laura.  Making Ends Meet.  N.Y.: Russell Sage Foundation, 1997.

National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Economic Justice for All.  Washington, D.C.: NCCB, 1986.

Day, Dorothy.  Loaves and Fishes.  Maryknoll, N.Y.:Orbis Books, 1997.

Tentative Work Schedule:
 

September 1	Introduction to St. Gabriel's Adult Literacy Program Assignment: Kotlowitz, pp. Preface through chapter 16
September 8	Discuss Kotlowitz (Video: Kotlowitz acceptance speech) Assignment: Finish Kotlowitz
September 15	Schooling in America (Video: America's Schools: What Went Wrong) Assignment: Handout - Funding Schools
September 22	A Catholic Perspective on Poverty in the U.S. (Video: "Marketplace Prophets") Assignment: Economic Justice for All, pp. v-105
September 29	Poverty Statistics, the Changing Character of the U.S. Economy, America: Two Societies (Video: "America's War on Poverty") Assignment: Katz essay and Eisenhower Report Mid-term examination question

*Note: The Saturday, October 3 seminar on diversity at St. Gabriel's will be a substitute for class on October 6
 
 

October 13	Explanations for Poverty in America and the history of Welfare Reform Assignment: Rank handout: Ch 2, Living on the Edge; "From the War on Poverty to the War on Welfare," ch. 2 and "The Raging Debate About U.S. Poverty," ch. 3, in BFW 1997 Report; Toton's synopsis Mid-terms due
Fall Break
October 27	Welfare Reform (Guest Speaker) Assignment: Rank handout: pp. 145-188
November 3	THe Reality of Being Poor and Making Ends Meet (Video: "Welfare As We Know It," part 1) Assignment: Edin & Lein, Foreward, pp. 1-8, 18 & 19, and ch. 2
November 10	The Choice Between Welfare and Low-wage Jobs, (Video: "Welfare As We Know It," part 2) Assignment: Edin & Lein, chs. 3 and 4

*November 16 at 7 PM there will be a showing of "Entertaining Angels" with a talk by Dr. Barbara Wall in the Connelly Cinema.  This will be a substitute for our November 17 class.  Assignment: Day, introduction through p. 92.
 
 

November 24	Discussion on The Catholic Worker & Dorothy Day Assignment: finish Day text
Thanksgiving Recess
December 1	Distinguishing between the Principle of Mercy and the Works of Mercy Assignments: Essay by Jon Sobrino, S.J.
December 8	Poor Communities Empowering Themselves  Assignment: handouts on the IAF and PIA

Office Hours: My office is located in LAC, Room #138.  My phone extension is 97428.  Home phone: 610-647-2744.  I will be in the office each Tuesday and Thursday between 9-1 PM.  Should you need to see me on another day, please phone to make an appointment.