This document provides an overview and instructions for an upcoming class. It includes: 1) A list of tasks for students to complete before the next class such as reading assignments and reviewing the syllabus. 2) Notes from a discussion with students about expectations and concerns for the class including topics like collaboration, respect, and learning outcomes. 3) The grading breakdown and assessment components for the class. 4) An excerpt from the instructor posing questions about ethics and morality to help guide students' thinking.

1. By the End of Class Today…. Get your picture taken! For Next Time…. Read assignments (print + online) listed for August 25 th Review pages 1-9 in syllabus for course policies Catch up if you haven’t done this yet by completing everything on website under New Students (by 6:30 PM Wed.)

2. Process What I heard from you about the class Collaboration & Respect Use of the internet Content Class Learning Outcomes & Requirements Ethics as self-discovery What can CST do for you? What next? Books, computers, cellphones Your questions about the class

3. Great variety in background, geography, majors, etc. Questions about Catholicism/religious background What the course should not be What you value about your education

4. “ the same type of things every class” an opinion “is ever seen as wrong by students or a professor just because it is different” “ push ideas on us” rather than “inform us thoroughly so we can make educated beliefs” “ a class where someone is judged for expressing an unpopular opinion” “ one-sided discussions” “ each class session is a lecture” “ lecture, quiz, lecture, test” “ should not be vague” without “background or supporting information for me to be able to actively participate” “ close-minded, by-the-book teachings” “ tell us what to think” rather than “help us understand the facts to we can form an opinion” “ relies on PowerPoint to teach” homework & papers are “simply busywork”

5. Acquiring information (facts, principles, concepts) Learning how to use information and knowledge in new situations Developing lifelong learning skills

6. Acquiring information (facts, principles, concepts) Learning how to use information and knowledge in new situations Developing lifelong learning skills

9. Process What I heard from you about the class Collaboration & Respect Use of the internet Content Class Learning Outcomes & Requirements Ethics as self-discovery What can CST do for you? What next? Books, computers, cellphones Your questions about the class

11. Class Participation/Assessment [20%] Voicethread Preparation [15%] 2 Ethical Analysis Essays [30%] 1 Semester Project [20%] Final Take-Home Essays [15%]

13. When you ask about ethics, you ask about what you should hold dear . When you ask about what you should hold dear, you ask about what you should love . When you ask about what you should love, you ask about who you are .

14. What aspects of life do a person ’s ethical values/principles affect? By “aspects of life,” I mean choices, activities, relationships, affiliations of one sort or another, etc. Follow someone from roughly your age to the time of death.

15. Is morality just your own personal subjective opinion? Or are there moral TRUTHS? How can the Church allow natural family planning but not artificial contraception? Can Catholics support laws legalizing abortion? Can married infertile couples use in vitro fertilization? Should feeding be removed from PVS patients like Terri Schiavo? Is being poor something that individuals can control? Do illegal immigrants have rights? What’ s the Church’s view on health care reform? Don’ t women have the right to be priests? Did the Church use to be in the death penalty business and what are its current views on capital punishment? Does the Church think that torture is ever permissible? Questions you’ll be able to answer

16. Process What I heard from you about the class Collaboration & Respect Use of the internet Content Class Learning Outcomes & Requirements Ethics as self-discovery What can CST do for you? What next? Books, computers, cellphones Your questions about the class

17. Xeroxed Packet of Readings (18 th edition) Sr. Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking Note : The Prejean book is on reserve in the Library. All handouts and paper assignments are downloadable through the course website.