RS 222A: Symbol and Sacrament
Syllabus- Fall 2002
T/TH 8:30-9:45 am
SCI 111
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Instructor: |
Raymond A. Patterson |
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Office: |
JE 148 |
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Phone: |
ex. 2427 |
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E-mail: |
rpatterson@smcvt.edu |
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Web Page: |
http://academics.smcvt.edu/rpatterson |
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Office Hours: |
M |
4-5 pm |
Course Description
RS 222: Symbol and Sacrament examines the ritual, symbols, and theology of Christian worship. The course will include:
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1) |
An introduction to the anthropological study of worship and ritual |
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2) |
A consideration of the major Christian sacraments from an anthropological, historical, and theological perspective |
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3) |
An overview of various concepts and practices related to Christian worship |
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4) |
An examination of the diverse forms that Christian worship takes in today’s world |
Required Texts:
Students should have access to a Bible. I’ll be using the New American Bible, but other versions are acceptable. The text for the class, available at the bookstore, is:
Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred. Ligouri Press, 2001.
Other readings will be made available on Reserve. In the library system, students should use the library catalog to look up the folder numbers of the reserve readings, which are organized by the title of the article under my name. Please do not mark the Reserve readings when taking notes.
Class Requirements:
Regular attendance is expected of all students. If a student is unable to attend class, he or she should notify the instructor. More than one absence without the instructor’s permission will negatively impact the final grade. Frequent absences will result in a failing grade.
Students should be on time for class. Arriving late or leaving during the class period can be disruptive for the class and the instructor. Excessive tardiness will be reflected in a lower grade for class attendance.
Students will be evaluated on the following course work:
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Mid-Term Exam |
25% |
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Final Exam |
25% |
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Term Paper (10-12 pages) |
40% |
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Class Participation/Attendance/Papers |
10% |
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy established by St. Michael’s College and distributed to all students.
Class Schedule
(The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule. Students will be notified in class of any changes.)
Class Schedule
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September 3 |
Class Introduction |
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Anthropology of Ritual |
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September 5 |
Encounter with the Divine / Human Behavior and Ritual Martos, pp. 3-18. |
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September 10 |
Rites of Passage and Liminality: Victor Turner Handout on Turner |
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September 12 |
Ritual and Society: Mary Douglas Mitchell reading |
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September 17 |
Forms of Christian Worship Martos, pp. 19-51, 60-64, (77-88) |
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September 19 |
Baptism-I Martos, pp. 147-169. |
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September 24 |
Baptism-II Confirmation Martos, pp. 169-181, 184-207. |
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September 26 |
Eucharist-I Martos, pp. 209-217. |
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October 1 |
Eucharist-II Martos, pp. 218-235 (236-246). |
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October 3 |
Eucharist-III Martos, pp. 246-257. |
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October 8 |
Eucharist-IV Martos, pp. 258-270. |
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October 10 |
Eucharist-V TBA |
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October 15 |
[Columbus Day Holiday] |
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October 17 |
Mid-Term Exam |
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October 22 |
Marriage Martos, pp. 351-395. |
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October 24 |
Holy Orders Martos, pp. 400-460. |
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October 29 |
Reconciliation-I Martos, pp. 275-322. |
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October 31 |
Reconciliation-II Anointing of the Sick Martos, pp. 325-348. |
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November 5 |
Funerals/Burial-I Paxton, Christianizing Death, pp. 19-27, 34-46. |
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November 7 |
Funerals/Burial-II |
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November 12 |
Eastern Orthodox Worship |
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November 14 |
Protestant Forms of Worship-I White, "Pentecostal Worship," pp. 192-208. |
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November 19 |
Inculturation Healey, "Inculturation of the Liturgy and Worship in Africa," pp. 412-423. |
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November 21 |
Cult of the Saints/Pilgrimage Carrasco, "Those Who Go on a Sacred Journey," pp. 13-24. |
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November 26 |
AAR Convention (No class today!) |
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December 3 |
Roman Catholic Devotionalism Asceticism Taves, Household of Faith, pp. 22-45. |
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December 5 |
Blessings/Sacramentals Killen, "Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament," 44-52. |
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December 10 |
Consecration/Religious Orders Killen, "Reception of Novices into the Order of the Sisters of St. Benedict," 74-86. |
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December 12 |
Sacred Time: Liturgy of the Hours/Church Year |
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December 19 |
Final Exam- 9-11:30 am |