Course Outline
Philosophy of Life and
Contemporary Moral Issues
Teacher: Pastor Robert Skoretz, M.A.
Office Phone: 909-796-0161 x3409
(ID: 16021183) (PW: Skoretz)
Required Books:
The Bible
Philosophy for Dummies by Tom Morris
COURSE INTRODUCTION
How should we live? How should we decide what is right and what is wrong? How can we make wise choices for the good of our personal, social, and global existence? How have people made these decisions from ancient times to today? These are some of the central questions this class will ask, giving us the opportunity to learn, discuss, decide and live wise and godly lives!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The main goals of this class are to assist you in constructing a life philosophy and to help you learn the biblical and philosophical tools to make good ethical choices. There will be many opportunities for open and honest thinking, discussion, and personal decision-making. Coursework will include a life philosophy project, position projects on ethical issues, problem-solving scenarios and simulations, exercises in scriptural and cultural interpretation, discussion and debate. Your grade will not depend on what you believe but it will reflect your ability to use the basic tools that are part of developing a life philosophy and making moral decisions. The ultimate goal of this class is to uplift Jesus as the best guide for living life in a world full of complex decisions!
We are entering a very important and sensitive area of thought and discussion; remember to treat each issue with respectful compassion and each classmate with fairness and sensitivity. This should be a safe place to think, speak, and learn.
Welcome to class! I am really looking forward to our time together and may God bless you above and beyond your expectations!
EXPECTED SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING RESULTS
Contemporary Issues
The goals and content of this class include and reflect the overall goals of our school. Our desire is that when you graduate from Loma Linda Academy you will have grown:
Spiritually
- Accepting Jesus Christ personally and growing through His word
- Showing commitment to the Church
- Some of the ways this can happen in this class begin with our worship and prayer time. You will never be forced to participate; only invited and encouraged to worship God in a supportive atmosphere.
- This class will challenge you to give hands and feet to your spiritual life. We address contemporary issues from the perspective of God’s word and character development. This class will help you learn how to apply God’s word to your life.
Intellectually
- Demonstrating thinking skills, study skills, communication skills, and life skills necessary to succeed in college and a career
- Appreciating beauty wherever it may be found
- One primary way we will do this is in the position projects you will do in the areas of bioethics, social ethics, and personal ethics. In addition to these projects you will discuss, debate, and role play your views on certain issues.
- Aesthetics is a major branch of philosophy and will be addressed in a practical way as we look at art in society, personal entertainment choices, and as we use art in expressing our positions on issues.
Physically
- Living a healthy, balanced lifestyle
- Developing a program of life-long fitness
- Scripture gives us instruction on caring for our bodies and we will look for the connection between social and personal issues and our health.
- The opportunity for all people to live well and flourish physically is a major global concern we will examine and seek creative solutions to some of the problems our world faces.
Socially
- Maintaining healthy, interpersonal relationships
- Displaying responsible global citizenship with a desire to serve others
- Talking about issues is one thing, actually working out issues and living well in our relationships in class is even more important. We will seek to demonstrate inclusiveness, problem solving techniques, and respectful debate in class.
- Taking thoughtful and prayerful positions on important issues in the world in which we live should lead to active and responsible citizenship.
GRADING
Why give grades in bible class? No grade can measure your faith and no grade should ever be seen as a judgment of your personal worth to God! However, a grade is very useful in helping you determine what you are learning and how well you can accomplish basic skills that are related to the religious life. The following grading scale and weights will be used:
100-92% = A, 91-90% = A-, 89-88% = B+, 87-82% = B, 81-80% = B-,
79-78% = C+, 77-72% = C, 71-70% = C-, 69-68% = D+, 67-62% = D and 61-60% = D-.
30% Position Projects (3)
20% Participation/Discussion/Citizenship
15% Quizzes
15% Book Report
10% Homework
10% Life Philosophy Project
CLASS PROCEDURES
ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments are due at the beginning of class or when the teacher calls for them during class. All late work is reduced in value 10% each day it is late up to 50%. This is especially significant on large projects.
ATTENDANCE: If you come after the bell rings it is your responsibility to come to me and remind me to change your absence to a tardy. Watch me do it before you take your seat! Obviously the best idea is to be on time!
CHEATING: Don’t do it! We will talk in class about specific things that are academically dishonest. Not only is it a moral issue but there will be real consequences in your grade and standing at this school. Project papers and the book report will be submitted to Turnitin.com first and then a hard copy to the teacher. Plagiarism and cheating incidents will be dealt with according to the school handbook.
COMMUNICATION: My office is open to you all during lunch and after school to come and talk about anything, work on stuff for class, or just hang out. Call my office when necessary. Also, please feel free to talk to me through e-mail any time – I check my mail daily. My goal is to help you really enjoy this class and accomplish meaningful and relevant work. Talk to me if you have questions or concerns or if you are just having a bad day or bad week - we’ll find a way to make it work.
Please check the class website often for digital copies of all important instructions and links to online resources. This class website is http://skoretzissues.blogspot.com/. Also, please check PowerSchool often as your assignments will be listed there along with a detailed description. When we do projects that require turnitin.com check your submission for my comments so you can make some improvements, if necessary, and resubmit. I will try to keep each form of communication active to help you do your best.
DISCIPLINE: You will find that I enjoy a fun classroom with a relaxed atmosphere. However, I expect all students to follow my lead and cooperate in learning. If your behavior creates a problem that a gentle warning in class cannot solve, then I will meet with you after class to resolve the problem. If we work together, almost all situations can be easily taken care of this way. If you choose not to cooperate then I will call your parents to enlist their help. The final step is to meet with your parents and the principal. I sincerely hope there is no need for involving parents or principal. Choose now to make this classroom a fun and safe place to learn.
On the flip side, I look forward to many opportunities to call home to your parents and tell them how well you are doing in class, how much fun and helpful you are in class. Give me that chance and I will make those calls!
EXPECTATIONS: Respect for others – their personal belongings and academic work – is expected at all times. Also, each of you is given full respect by your teacher as you enter the class – I ask for the same respect back as we work together this year. This classroom is to be a safe place to worship God and talk about our beliefs – no one should be put down for sincerely voiced beliefs.
PARTICIPATION: This class needs you! Your comments, contributions to group activities, and general citizenship in the classroom will go a long way toward helping us learn and making this class fun!
LIFE PHILOSOPHY PROJECT: This project involves journals that you will write throughout the semester. You can do the minimum and get a grade but this project is designed for you to really expand into a living document that serves you throughout the next few years. Invest in it with thoughtfulness and creativity and you will enjoy reading it in the future!
WORSHIP: Each day we begin class with worship. Sometimes this will be a short verse and prayer, other times we will do something interactive. At all times we will address God with thankfulness, celebration and respect.
Welcome to class! I am really looking forward to our time together and may God bless you above and beyond your expectations!
Contemporary Issues
Important Due Dates
- Project #1 – Life and Death Ethics October 10, 2017
- Project #2 – Social Ethics November 14, 2017
- Project #3 – Personal Ethics December 12, 2017
- Personal Philosophy Project January 16, 2018
- Book Report January 16, 2018
Detailed descriptions of each project and other class assignments will be posted on the class blogspot:
Dear Parent,
Thank you for being a partner with me in the education of your student. Please read the course outline for Contemporary Issues and sign below that you have reviewed it and noted the key activities and their due dates. Please email or call me if you have any questions.
_____________________________
Printed Name of Student
_____________________________ _____________________________ ____________
Parent Signature Printed Name of Parent Date
This form is due on Tuesday, August 29, 2017! Thank you for assisting your student in returning it on time.
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