Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaCurrent Issues of Christianity
Main language of instruction: Catalan
Head instructor
Dr. Joan Vianney DOMINGO - vdomingo@uic.es
Office hours
Every working day, from 10 to 12 am.
During the sessions, some of the most current topics for Christianity will be addressed, such as the existence of God, the meaning of life, historical testimonies of the existence of Jesus Christ, the relationship of happiness and Christianity, etc. Questions will also be considered more philosophical.
These issues will be addressed by encouraging dialogue between the students.
No prerequisites are required for the course
In this course the following competencies will be worked:
50: acquiring the ability to relate concepts and exercises of analysis and synthesis.
52: be able to develop skills in interpersonal relations and teamwork.
54: being able to express ideas and arguments in order and coherence in both oral and written.
56: being able to make arguments that promote critical thinking and self-critical.
62: acquiring mechanisms to facilitate the adoption of ethical.
68: develop mechanisms to foster sensitivity to issues related to social welfare.
AGENDA CURRENT ISSUES OF CHRISTIANITY
1. Sense of life, happiness and Christianity
a) Access to God of the person. Attitudes and knowledge. The natural knowledge of the existence of God. Religion and faith Nature of faith Rationality of faith. Faith as man's response to God.
b) Christianity and other religions. Singularity of Christianity. What is Revelation?
c) Christianity, meaning of life and search for happiness. Why do we talk about happiness and in what sense in Christianity? What can we understand by happiness? Nature of man What does Christianity contribute to the understanding of human nature? Need to know the figure of Jesus Christ to understand man. Consequences of the Incarnation.
d) The figure of Jesus Christ. The humanity of Jesus Christ The personality of Jesus. The actions of Jesus Christ Some episodes of his life: the Cross, Death and the Resurrection. The Gospels: what they are and how to read them.
2. Christian life issues
a) Human freedom. Existence and sense of evil. Bad natural and bad staff. What is sin in Christianity?
b) Corporality and human affectivity. Marriage.
c) Christian sense of life. Abortion and Euthanasia. Artificial fertilization
d) The experience of pain. Pain with God and pain without God.
e) Sense of everyday life. Difficulties, happiness, work and party. Moral virtues and theological virtues. God and my usual life. What do Christians call prayer? God's relationship with man: what does it mean that God loves me and what does he suppose? Divine filiation. What is a sacrament? What is the Mass? Confession and forgiveness. What do Christians call "being holy"? Transformation of the world.
1. In the theoretical classes, the exchange of reasoned opinions among the students on the issues addressed is encouraged.
2. The practical part will consist in the writing of two essays with different valuation and that are described in the evaluation mode
Work
The assessment of the subject will consist of:
The writing of two essays, a shorter one, that will be 25%, and the other, longer, with a maximum value of 75%. In order for the student to be evaluated, both assignments must be submitted.
The short work, with a maximum extension of two faces of folio, will consist of the commentary of a scene of the gospel, that the student chooses. The intention of this work is, among other things, to show that you can understand a specific scene of the Gospel, what you want, comment on it, knowing to transcend the language and circumstances of the time , paying attention, above all, to how Jesus Christ works and why. It has already been exemplified in class how they can comment, in this sense, the passages of the gospel. One has to try, on the other hand, to relate the scene in question, with some of the considerations realized in class on the different themes of the syllabus.
Long work must have an approximate 6-sided folio extension. And it can be done from any point of the agenda, depending on the interest that may arise. This work is an essay, and must therefore be adequately argued. In its content it is advisable to use the texts used and sent to the students in each part of the corresponding syllabus. It must be, therefore, a reflection, rigorous work, where well-argued personal reflections can be put forward. The various ideas that have been appearing in class are helpful in this regard. To a large extent, choosing the topic and its content can be the result of personal interests and concerns.
The students who have chosen to carry out voluntary solidarity activities, following the established and indicated requirements in class, this activity will be worth two points of the final grade, in such a way that the final evaluation of the subject, for these students, It would stabilize in the following way: 20% solidarity, 20% short work and 60% long work. The solidarity activity must have a minimum duration of 10 hours and its completion must be accompanied by a relevant certificate.
Class participation will also be taken into account.
The teacher will provide the relevant texts and bibliography as the subject progresses.
E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session: