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Gospel of Life Seminar

THEO 33962/CSC 33962

Seminar Learning Agreement

Immersion Dates: Sunday, October 19- Saturday, October 25, 2008

Size: 12 students

Cost: $250 Fee and $75 - $100 for DC expenses

Application Deadline: Thurs., Aug. 28, 2008

Application: (the online application will be availible later this summer)

Seminar Director: Angela Miller McGraw

Overview

The goal of the Gospel of Life Seminar is to provide students with the opportunity to read and reflect and on a variety of life issues through experiential learning. Exploration begins in the orientation classes where students will become familiar with the issues through reading Roman Catholic Church documents such as The Gospel of Life and by meeting people who work on life-related issues. During the week in Washington, DC, seminar participants will meet with representatives from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, elected officials, advocacy groups, legal professionals, and bioethicists whose work involves life-related concerns. The follow-up classes facilitate analysis and synthesis of insights gained during the week of experiential learning.

Objectives

To understand the moral framework surrounding and linking all life issues (death penalty, children not yet born, issues of death and dying, people with disabilities, bioethics, etc.).

To have students read, understand, and be able to articulate Catholic Social Teaching through an examination of Evangelium Vitae and other relevant documents.
To expose students to immediate and post-graduate opportunities both locally and nationally at social action organizations that work on life-related issues.
To provide students the opportunity to focus their understanding of life issues, especially as they consider their role as civic participants.

Course Requirements

This seminar is a one-credit course cross-listed in the Theology (THEO 33962) and Center for Social Concerns departments (CSC 33962), and graded “S” or “U”. To receive an “S” grade, students must complete the following in a satisfactory manner:

Attend and participate in all required orientation and follow-up classes.
Complete all readings and written class assignments.
Participate in all group activities prior to and during the week in Washington, D.C.
Write a 5 to 6 page final paper that poses and attempts to answer a specific question of concern regarding the readings and experiences of the seminar. Please see paper guidelines for more information (this will be included in the Seminar course packet). The paper requirement may be fulfilled by completing a special project or group project. A written proposal for special or group projects must be approved by the Seminar Director.
Complete all course evaluations as requested by the Seminar Director.

**NOTE** Please check your class schedule to see if you have departmental exams that might conflict with the Gospel of Life Seminar class schedule. If so, please contact your instructor to request an alternative exam time.

Application Process

Online applications are due Thursday, August 28(the online application will be availible later this summer).
Saint Mary's college students must contact Sally Burns for application and registration instructions.
By completing the application, you are agreeing to all requirements of the Gospel of Life Seminar.
All applicants will be notified regarding seminar selection by email on or before the first Sunday of the semester (Sunday, August 31, 2008). If you are applying to more than one seminar, you will receive a single email noting whether or not you have been selected to participate, and the name of the seminar you will be taking part in.

Criteria for Selection

The seminar is open to any undergraduate or graduate student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame or Saint Mary's College. Admittance to the seminar is based on a variety of factors. Primary criterion is expressed interest in the course objectives and aims of the seminar.

We have a limited number of spots available. Students who submit their application later than others may be placed on a wait list. Preference will be given to upper class students who may have fewer opportunities to participate in the future.

Course Registration

You will receive email notification on a) whether you have been selected to participate in a seminar and b) which seminar you have been selected to participate in (this circumstance applies if you have applied to more than one seminar). Subsequently, the course instructor will email instructions for course registration, and you will need to register within the first seven days of the semester.
Contact the Assistant Dean's office of your College if you are over the maximum number of credit hours (Maximum Hours Exceeded) allowed by your College. The assistant deans of your college will be able to grant special approval. Contact Sally Burns at the Center for Social Concerns if you have a class time conflict.

Fees and Expenses

The cost of the seminar is $250. This fee will be assessed through Student Accounts after September 5th. This fee contributes to van rental, housing, site fees, building materials, gas, tolls, and food. Personal expenses are the responsibility of each student. Students will be responsible for their meals while they travel to and from the site and for metro charges. An additional $75-$100 should cover these expenses.
If you are accepted into the seminar, and you decide not to participate in the seminar before September 5th, your student account will be billed a $40 cancellation fee. If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the seminar after September 5th, your student account will be billed the full $250. (This is necessary because the Center has pre-paid many of the expenses of the seminar based on your acceptance into the program, and your acceptance may have precluded someone else from participating.)

***Limited financial aid is available. To apply for financial aid, please contact Sally Burns.

Withdrawal from the Course

Please notify the Seminar Director if extenuating circumstances prevent your participation in the seminar. Final day to drop is Friday, September 5th. To withdraw from this course, an Academic Course change form (obtained from the Center for Social Concerns), must be completed and signed by the Center’s Director of the Gospel of Life Seminar. Saint Mary’s students must complete the SMC drop-slip, signed by the student’s academic advisor and the Director of Gospel of the Life Seminar, and then processed through the SMC Registrar’s Office.
Drops after September 5th and failure to follow proper withdrawal from course procedures will automatically result in a grade of “U.”

Calendar Fall 2008

Thurs., Aug. 28
Online application deadline (the online application will be availible later this summer).

Sun., Aug. 31
Acceptance confirmed by email. If you apply to more than one seminar, you will receive ONE email for the seminar you have been admitted into.

Wed., Sept 3

Last date to register. You must register with ND's online system and/or complete all registration forms by midnight.

Fri., Sept. 5
Final day to withdraw from course without penalty of being charged full fee.

Tues., Sept 23

REQUIRED: Gospel of Life Seminar Class I 5:00-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 133

Tues., Sept 30

REQUIRED: Gospel of Life Seminar Class II 5:00-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 133

Tues., Oct 7

REQUIRED: Gospel of Life Class III 5:00-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 133

Thurs., Oct 16

Seminar Send-Off Mass

Sun., Oct. 19

Depart for Washington at 6:15/6:30 am. Meet at A15 parking lot behind Keenan-Stanford Halls/Health Center and near to St. Michael’s Laundry.

Sat., Oct. 25
Students return to ND late in the afternoon/ early evening.

Tues., Nov 4

REQUIRED: Gospel of Life Seminar Class IV 5:00-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 133