Revised 6/13/03

Summer Theology Faith course 2003
Extra Credit

All extra credit must be approved by the teacher!

Major Extra Credit

Earn up to 10 points

Book Review

This project provides the opportunity to reflectively engage a book of philosophy, theology, or literature which in some way relates to the themes dealt with in Junior Theology. Choose a book from the list below. I am open to suggestions. If you would like to read another book, bring it to class, and I will decide whether or not it fits. This must not be a book you have already read.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship.
Endo, Shusaku A Life of Jesus.
Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
Fromm, Erich. The Art of Loving
Kavanaugh, John. Faces of Poverty, Faces of Christ. and chapters 3, 4, 6, 7, & 8 from his book Following Christ in a Consumer Society: The Spirituality of Cultural Resistance.
Lewis, Clive Staples.
- Screwtape Letters.
- The Great Divorce.
- Mere Christianity.
- The Screwtape Letters
- The Pilgrim�s Regress
Merton, Thomas. New Seeds of Contemplation.
Mother Theresa A Simple Path. Other Books by Mother Theresa (upon approval from the teacher)
Tolstoy. Confessions.

I am open to other books, but they need to be good boks about faith. If you are interested in reading theological essays by a certain thinker or concerning a certain theme, please see me.

Write a 3-5 page paper in which you accomplish the following:
i. Summarize the book (1-1 1/2 pages)
ii. Reflective Engagement of the Text: how the book brings out certain themes of the course/how this work connects with your own experience (what questions or issues does this book raise in your life)

Contemporary Evangelist

Write your own modern day Gospel. Use the basic outline of the Gospel of Mark.
i. Prologue
ii. Public Ministry
iii. Passion Narrative
iv. Resurrection Epilogue

Remember Lonergan�s definition of theology: �Theology mediates between a cultural matrix and the significance and role of religion in that matrix.� Explain the Gospel in a way that connects with modern people. Be sure to address issues that are relevant in today�s world. Use contemporary scenarios. You may engage other worldviews that we have discussed (i.e atheism, indifference, Hobbes, Nietzche, scientism, deism, etc.). You may address the problem of evil, or eschatological issues. These are only a few of the topics we touched on first semester. Be creative. Your Gospel must be 6-7 pages.

Video from the University of Notre Dame

Watch a video and outline the major ideas from the Notre Dame Great Teachers Series.

Professor Mary Katherine Tillman Newman and the Thoughtful Believer
Professor Thomas V. Morris Pascal and the Meaning of Life

Smaller Extra Credit Opportunities

Earn up to 5 points

Atticus Finch was recently judged the #1 movie hero of all time by the American Film Institute. Check out the site at 100 AFI's 100 Years: Greatest Heroes & Villians

Write a critical essay on a movie

The Matrix Reloaded: Neo and The Theological Virtues
The Two Towers: The Faith of Frodo Baggins
Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Paschal Mystery
Malcom X: A Journey of Faith
Three Lessons We All Could Learn from Atticus Finch

I am open to contracting extra credit.
Want to make a movie? Write a play? How about building a really good web site?
I am open to creative ways to express learning.

This assignment has been adapted from a fourth quarter assignement from Randy Rosenberg

Please send any comments, suggestions
or corrections to Matthew Sciuto

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Summer Theology Faith course 2003 Extra Credit