WEEK 1 (1/31): Convocation
WEEK 2 (2/7): Introduction to the course. We want to provide opportunities to think about your vocation—in work, family, church, community and the world. We want also want to frame issues of vocation along categories of gifts, passions, skills, purposes and convictions.
Introduction to each other
A walk through the syllabus
“10 things you need to know about interviewing”
• Read Schultze, chapters 1 (“Listening to God”), 2 (“Participating in Renewal”) and 6 (“Flourishing in Communities”)
• Write a one-page reading summary, due 2/14
WEEK 3 (2/14): Vocation and one’s COMMUNITY. We’ll hear from an alum who’s involved in civic life, who will reflect on what communities need from their members, what difference it makes to be a Christian and to see community participation as a calling, how you can be involved. (What gifts, skills, passions, conviction and sense of purpose have guided them?) And of course, there will be Q & A.
WEEK 4: Application: Participate in a community service project, write a one-to-two-page reflection paper. (What gifts do you think you could bring to community service? What skills do you have and what sense of life purpose might guide you? What matters most to you (passions) and what convictions do you hold regarding community service?)
• Write a 1-2 page paper on your community service experience (due 2/28)
WEEK 5 (2/28): Vocation and the WORLD: We’ll hear from a panel of people from around the world as they talk about their home countries, how they understand the meaning of “citizen of the world,” what the American church can learn from other cultures. Q & A.
• Read Schultze, chapters 3 (“Succeeding Wholeheartedly”) and 4 (“Caring
Responsibly”)
• Write a one-page reading summary (due 3/14)
WEEK 6: Application: Share a meal with someone from another culture. See what you can discover about his/her experience in the U.S./at Whitworth, and what life was like before coming to this culture. Write a one-page paper on what you think it means to be a citizen of the world. What skills, gifts, etc., can you use on a global level?
• Write a one-page reflection paper on what it means to you to be a citizen of the world (due 3/14)
WEEK 7 (3/14): Vocation and the CHURCH. Church leaders share their views of the church, reflect on the different roles people play there, what the church needs from its members, and how you can be involved. (How did they discern gifts, skills, passions, convictions and purpose that led to a sense of calling to the church?) Plus Q & A.
SPRING BREAK: 3/20-24
WEEK 8: Application: Attend a service at a church that’s different from one you normally attend. What do you experience that’s different? What can you learn from this other church? Write a one-page paper on what you think you might be able to bring to a church? What skills, passions, convictions, gifts and sense of purpose may help guide your involvement?
• Write a one-page paper on what role you hope to play in a church community (due 4/4)
WEEK 9 (4/4): Vocation and the world of WORK. Dr. Bill Robinson, president of Whitworth, will talk about work as a calling, how he discerned his own sense of call, how to prepare for a meaningful career, what difference it makes to be a Christian in the workplace. There will also be time for Q & A.
• Read Schultze, chapters 5 (“Celebrating Leisure”), 7 (“Loving for Good”) and 8 (“Offering a Legacy”)
• Write a one-page reading summary (due 4/18)
WEEK 10: Application: Interview a person in an area of work that interests you (may be on or off-campus). Write a two-page paper on what you learn about (p. 1) that person’s vocational journey through work and (2) your own gifts, skills, etc., and where you might be able to use them through employment.
• Write a 2-page paper on another person’s calling lived out through work, as well as your own (due 4/18)
WEEK 11 (4/18): Vocation and FAMILY--Guests will reflect on their family lives, how they think about family life as a calling, how they’ve made family decisions, when they’ve needed support, where they’ve found help. Q & A.
WEEK 12: Application: Spend time (perhaps have dinner, if you can get an invitation) with a family other than your own. How does this experience help you think about the kind of person/spouse/parent would you like to be? What are your passions and convictions as they pertain to family life?
• Write a one-page paper on your sense of calling to family life (due 5/2)
WEEK 13 (5/2): Small group conversations with faculty members you’ve been working with for the term. Process the semester…What have you learned about your own sense of vocation?