CelticSp:Directed Readings/JPNewell

Instructors: John Phillip Newell and Teresa Crist

Course Description

This course focuses on readings and discussions of selected themes and topics in the theology of John Philip Newell.  Engaging in questions about what constitutes “celtic,” we will examine Dr. Newell’s theology as an example of the contemporary revival of Celtic spirituality. Dr. Newell will be on the Iliff Campus for two weekends of public presentations: attendance at his presentations is strongly encouraged.  He will make himself available for lunch and further conversation with the students enrolled in the class on each of the two Saturdays he is on campus.

Required Texts:

J. Philip Newell, The Book of Creation: An Introduction to Celtic Spirituality (Paulist Press, 1999)  ISBN-13: 978-0809138999

J. Philip Newell, Listening for the Heartbeat of God (Paulist Press, 1999)  ISBN-13: 978-0809137596

J. Philip Newell, Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation (Jossey-Bass, 2008). ISBN-13: 978-0470183502

All other readings will be provided on CANVAS.

 Grading Criteria

Weekly Posts:  (10 points)

Your Tuesday posts (DUE EACH TUESDAY AT MIDNIGHT) should be a substantive engagement of the assigned readings, taking in guiding questions or prompts, if given.  Posts should not be simple summaries of the material, but should show an attempt to put the various readings in conversation with each other.  This might be through thematic discussions, compare/contrast, or critical analysis of parts of the readings.  Perhaps one argument resonated with you, you question the author’s evidence, or you see connections with your life or other coursework.  Please cite the various authors within the post.  Your posts should be a maximum of 500 words and a minimum of 250. 

Weekly Responses: (10 points)

Your Friday responses (DUE EACH FRIDAY AT MIDNIGHT) should be to one of your classmates whose post has not yet been engaged.  (Once you have done this, you may, of course, respond to any other posts that catch your eye!)  Try to respond to different people each week so that you can experience the variety and perspective of each of your unique classmates!  

The responses should also be substantive, engaging both your own analysis of the readings as well as the poster’s.  If you do quote one of the readings, please cite the author appropriately.  Responses should be a maximum of 500 words and a minimum of 250.  

Lecture Response: (25 points)

The lecture response will be a reflection and evaluation of your experience of the lecture content in conversation with your readings up to that point.  Describe your encounter with Dr. Newell’s lectures (either in person or through the recordings).  How did the lectures compare with the information you had received thus far in the course?  What new insights (if any) did you gain?  Do the course readings align with what you hear in the lectures?

Remember that though this is a “Response,” your paper should be argument driven.  This is not a stream-of-consciousness reflection, but an exploration of your experience.  You should have a thesis.

Final Reflection: (50 points)

The final reflection will be a 4-5 page paper submitted at the end of the term.  This paper will be thesis oriented writing centering on a topic that interests you from the course.  Please submit topics during week 5 to Teresa Crist (tcrist@iliff.edu) for approval and direction.  The paper should be both reflective of your experience in the course as well as an engaged analysis of the readings.  

Remember that though this is a “reflection,” your paper should be argument driven.  This is not a stream-of-consciousness reflection, but an exploration of your insights from the course. 

Please note that while there are two "assignments" for each week, one post and one response, only one will receive the grade.  The "response" category on the syllabus is merely a reminder for the due date.   

Grading is fairly straightforward, but if you are ever worried, please feel free to email me (tcrist@iliff.edu).

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community. 

Syllabus