Extra Credit Opportunities
Fall 2007
last update: 13 AUGUST 2007

  1. Examples of current lectures, events, and other opportunities that could be the subject of an extra-credit project:
    1. George A. Lopez tells "Why we'll never leave Iraq"
    2. The PBS website materials "From Jesus to Christ"
    3. James Cameron special "documentary" on "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" [disclaimer: I think this is bogus, but it still is fair game for a critical review]
      1. ABC News schpiel on James Tabor's view of this in "'Jesus Dynasty' Author Asks: Were There Two Messiahs?"
      2. PR News wire story: "Jesus Family Tomb Believed Found"
    4. Other lectures and special programs sponsored by the following JCU offices, institutes, or programs:
      1. The Bediüzzamen Said Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies
      2. Campus Ministry
      3. The Cardinal Suenens Center in Theology and Church Life
      4. The Department of Religious Studies
      5. The Bernard Hollander Lectureship in Jewish Studies
      6. The Institute of Catholic Studies
      7. Intellectual Enrichment Series
      8. The Office of MultiCultural Affairs
      9. The Program in Applied Ethics
      10. The Walter & Mary Tuohy Chair of Inter-Religious Studies
    5. Films, lectures, and other events available through the other Cleveland-area colleges and universities, or through local museums and cultural institutions
    6. For RL101 students:
      1. Introductory-level Zen meditation lessons at the Cleveland Buddhist Temple (1573 E 214th St.), Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 P.M.
      2. Yoga and Karate lessons, available through the JCU recreation center
  2. Previous events (to give you some ideas of what else might "count" for the kind of afore-mentioned reaction papers:
    1. "Passions about The Passion: Portrayals of the Passion of Christ from A.D. 200 –2004." A slide-lecture by Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Studies & Early Christianity, in the Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center, Monday, March 29, 7:00–9:00 P.M.
    2. An Exhibition of the Islamic Art: Mine Sultan Unver's Artwork on display - Dolan Science Center, Art Gallery - October 18-24th
      The Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies is sponsoring "An Exhibition of the Islamic Art: 'Miniature'" in the Dolan Science Center, Art Gallery (Room E135), October 18-24th from 9:00 am-4:00 pm daily. The artist, Mine Sultan Unver, has exhibited her artworks in Turkey, Vienna, and the United States. She has been awarded first place by the General Directorate of Foundations, Ankara, Turkey. The "miniature" artwork, which will be on display, is an art style with a long history in both the Eastern and Western worlds. Please stop by the the Art Gallery (E135) to view this very special exhibit!
    3. Would you be interested in joining the group going to Ft. Benning this November to protest the former School of the Americas (SOA)? Contact Chris Kerr in Campus Ministry for information about the trip.
    4. SOA Informational Event: BUT WHY? FORUM TO DISCUSS THE SOA & U.S. POLICY IN LATIN AMERICA, Thursday, October 20th, 7:30 PM, LSC Conference Room.
      Each year a group of John Carroll students, faculty and staff join thousands of others (including many from other Jesuit schools) to protest the former School of the Americas (SOA) and call for U.S. policy that respects human rights.
    5. Eva Schloss, a childhood acquaintance of Anne Frank, and the co-author of a recently-published book entitled The Promise: A Moving Story of a Family in the Holocaust, is in the Cleveland area to speak with different groups and to participate in the Notre Dame College Theater Department’s production of a play about her life, “And Then They Came For Me,” October 20-22.
    6. "Journey for Humanity" Exhibit and Luncheon on Wednesday, October 18, 2006
      "Journey for Humanity" comes to JCU on Wednesday, October 18th. A non-profit organization whose mission is to keep alive the memory of the victims of crimes against humanity and heal the wounds of the victims of such crimes, "Journey" is marching across the United States, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to raise Americans' awareness of past and present genocides. The exhibit will be available in Dolan Atrium from 11-2 pm, and the Program of Applied Ethics will host a luncheon-discussion from 11:45-1:15pm. Contact Dr. Sheila McGinn (397-3087) for more information.
    7. Wednesday (10/18) - David Hellstrom presents, "The Real Buzz: The Truth & Lies About Campus Alcohol" at 2:00 PM in Donahue Auditorium of the Dolan Science Center
    8. Reflections on national immigration issues. Dr. Shirley S. Seaton Cultural Awareness Series, 7 p.m. Jardine Room. Join us for an exciting presentation by our next guest speaker in the Dr. Shirley S. Seaton Cultural Awareness Series. Veronica Dahlberg, director of the Latino organization HOLA, will reflect on the national immigration debate. HOLA, based in Painesville, Ohio, serves the Latino Community and raises awareness of Latino issues. Dahlberg has been an advocate for Latinos for 16 years. She also serves as secretary for the Latino Business Association of Northeast Ohio.
    9. Eva Schloss, a childhood acquaintance of Anne Frank, and the co-author of a recently-published book entitled The Promise: A Moving Story of a Family in the Holocaust. Tuesday, October 17, from 7-9 pm in Gesu Parish McCauley Hall. Gesu Parish is hosting Mrs. Eva Schloss, a childhood acquaintance of Anne Frank, and the co-author of a recently-published book entitled The Promise: A Moving Story of a Family in the Holocaust. Eva currently resides in London, UK but will be in the Cleveland area to speak with different groups and to participate in the Notre Dame College Theater Department’s production of a play about her life, “And Then They Came For Me,” October 20-22. We also welcome co-author Barbara Krahe Powers, a Cleveland native and former John Carroll University student. Barbara is an artist who has created over 250 pastel portraits of children of the Holocaust, based on archived photographs, as a way to remember the nearly 1.5 children who perished from disease, hunger and murder. 100 of these portraits will be on display in conjunction with the play. Please join us on the 17th for an intimate and informal discussion with Eva and Barb!
    10. Native American Art Show & Sale; Friday-Sunday, Sept. 16–18, Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds (164 Eastman Road, Berea), Fri & Sat. 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, Sun. 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
    11. “Shaping of American Muslim Identity,” Marcia Hermansen, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, Loyola University of Chicago, Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 7:00 PM, Dolan Science Center Donahue Auditorium
    12. East Asian Studies invites you to Japanese Fesitval '05 to experience Japanese traditional arts first hand. Friday, October 28, 3:30-5:30 in the Murphy Room. All are welcome; no charge.
    13. On Friday, November 4, 2005 the Middle Eastern Student Association will be hosting our third semi-annual Hafli (Party). Please attend and show your support for MESA.
    14. Let students and other staff and faculty know that you are an Ally! Allies is facilitating the Meet Your Allies Potluck dinner on Thursday, November 10th at 5 p.m. in the Murphy Room. Bring a dish to share. There will be a DJ and an Allies slide show. Please RSVP by Nov. 8 through campus mail to "JCU Allies" to let us know if you are coming and what dish you will bring! We hope that this will be not only a fun social event, but a chance for the GLBTQ and Allied community here to come together all at once and eat each other's food!
    15. The “ONE IN FOUR” RV TOUR Sponsored by NO MORE, Inc. is coming to campus next Wednesday, November 16th! N.O. M.O.R.E. Inc. is the National Organization of Men’s Outreach for Rape Education. They will be presenting: The Men's Program: How to Help a Sexual Assault Survivor, What Men Can Do. From 9-10:30 PM in the Donahue Auditorium of the Dolan Science Center the program will be presented for anyone in the community. For more information, check out the website: www.nomorerape.org, or contact Ryan Knotts, Coordinator for Developmental Programming, at x1973 or rknotts.
    16. "The Mega-Church Syndrome" - Thursday, October 26th. Rev. Dr. Valentino Lassiter of the Religious Studies Department at JCU will be giving a lecture on "The Mega Church Syndrome: A Theological Examination" on Thursday, October 26th at 7:30 pm in the Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center. This lecture is being sponsored by the Walter & Mary Tuohy Chair of Interreligious Studies.
    17. Cleveland’s Jewish Past: Eyes Toward Zion, Thursday, October 26, 7pm, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage ($10/$8 members). From labor leaders to leading rabbis, the dream of a Jewish homeland has made an impact on Cleveland communities since the earliest days of the 20th century. Join Dr. Sean Martin, associate curator for Jewish History at the Western Reserve Historical Society, for this provocative look at the history of Zionism and Cleveland’s role in the birth and ongoing life of the State of Israel.
    18. Panel discussion: "Is there a Catholic way to vote?" October 30th at 7 PM in the Donahue Auditorium. Panelists will share insights on the process of evaluating legislation and candidate positions in consideration of Church teachings, specifically Catholic Social Teaching. They will also present resources that Catholic voters can utilize in preparation for voting in elections. There will be an opportunity for those attending to ask questions of the panelists. The panel is co-sponsored by Campus Ministry and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.
  3. Critical reviews of books pertinent to the course may earn up to 50 points. See the list of recommended texts on the course syllabus for examples.
  4. Other extra-credit options are noted on your Course Schedule or Class Calendar.

Due dates: Check your Course Schedule for specific due dates for individual assignments. If there is no specified deadline, then this assignment is open-ended. Plan ahead, however, because no extra credit will be accepted after the Thanksgiving break. Maximum Extra Credit for the semester is specified in the course Syllabus (usu. 5% of total possible points).