Curriculum outcomes can be categorized under three categories: knowledge, skills and dispositions. This week’s focus has been on dispositions—values (including moral code and ethics, beliefs, attitudes, and character). Curriculum is the means to a program’s ends or desired outcomes. Program ends are written as outcomes or performance standards. This application assignment is broken into three parts—spiritual formation, character and ethical outcomes. Present your standards in three parts as indicated below.

Part One, Spiritual Formation

Based upon your reading of Engaging God’s World, (Plantinga, 2002) identify a minimum of five spiritual values that should characterize the school’s graduates. These might be considered spiritual formation goals. Be sure and write these as outcome statements. Think through the implied outcomes from each chapter and then include the five you deem as most significant. Cite the page or pages from Plantinga, where the foundation for the outcome was presented. Also include a biblical text to support the outcome”

Example: Graduates will hope in the Lord through difficult circumstances and be able to explain that hope to others (Plantinga, 2002, p. 80)

“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defence to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence…” – 1 Peter 3:14-15

Part Two, Character

Identify a minimum of five character outcomes. These dispositions would represent what we often think of as one’s character as a new creation in Christ. Write these as outcome statements and identify or reference the biblical text.

Example: Graduates will, upon recognizing a need in others, demonstrate compassion by coming alongside and providing support and whenever possible meeting the need.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Part Three, Ethical

Identify and write a minimum of five ethical standards. Ethical standards would relate more directly to moral conduct (a code of right vs. wrong behavior). These are often listed within a list of character traits but because of a greater need for ethical behavior within culture, it may prove helpful to set ethics apart in order to place a greater emphasis on these traits.

Example: The graduate will not lie but instead will be counted on to, in love, speak the truth.

“There are six things the Lord hates….a lying tongue….a false witness who pours out lies…”

Proverbs 6: 16-17, 19

What are the three major types of construction bonds? Why are they required? Name three items that affect bonding capacity.

A paper that suggest a direction through a strategic plan for the Sony Corporation.

If you are in a K-12 school, to what degree would your program be characterized as college prep as opposed to “calling prep”? Is the distinction important? What would Plantinga’s (2002) position be? What changes would be needed to align a program with a biblical position as seen by Plantinga?

If you are in a higher education program, how is your program preparing students for their “calling”. To what degree is your program “calling prep”? Is the distinction important? What would Plantinga’s (2002) position be? What changes would be needed to align a program with a biblical position as seen by Plantinga?

The Foundation for Critical Thinking shares many of its documents online. Among these documents is their list of 35 Critical Thinking Skills. Experience has shown that the appropriateness of critical thinking for use within Christian Schools is sometimes questioned. The validity of using what may be considered a progressive or postmodern resource is also questioned. Christian schools should not ignore contemporary educational thought and practice, but rather think critically about these theories and practices. Do the ideas align with biblical truth? Write biblical critical thinking skills. As you complete this assignment you will be practicing Critical Thinking and developing a working list of Critical Thinking skills for use within an educational institution.

Evaluate and identify the most important skills (your subjective analysis). Perhaps reduce the list to around twenty. You may want to read through the biblical references prior to starting this process.

Once the list has been narrowed use the biblical references  to identify critical thinking that aligns with skills on the abbreviated list. In doing this you have not only validated the skill but you are in a position to write an integrated version of the skill. You need not be limited to this list of references. Consider the list a “work in progress”. Think beyond to other references (Proverbs, examples of critical thinkers (or non-thinkers etc.).

Each skill on your integrated list should include the following:

The statement of the integrated skill—the integrated skill should retain the essence of the original skill while either correcting or amplifying the skill

A question the student might ask in regard to the skill

The biblical reference (both scripture and reference)

A reference to the original skill (i.e. S-15)

This assignment may be done individually or collaboratively. Upload the document to the course website in a word document. If working in a group, all individuals must submit a document with your names of the group on the document.

Example from 35 Critical Thinking Skills

S-15: developing criteria for evaluation: clarifying values and standards (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)

Integrated Skill

Evaluate and clarify ideas (concepts), thoughts, and values through the lens of the inspired Word of God

Question: Have I evaluated the accuracy of what I just thought, heard or read by seeing if it agrees with what God has said in scripture? Does it align with my biblical worldview?

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NAS

Scripture Related to Critical Thinking

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB), Regarding a Standard

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Matthew 7:24 New American Standard Bible (NASB), Implies Two

Foundations

The purpose of this exercise is to practice a tool for overcoming writer’s block and developing ideas for essays.

Here are the details:

1. Find an article that sparks a reaction in you. This reaction can be agreement, disagreement, anger, fear, happiness, etc. Any reaction is fine. Your reaction might be the notion that you want to respond or say something to the author of the article.

It does not matter what article you choose. It can be anything. It can be in print, or it can be online. It also does not matter if the article is recent or old. The main thing is just that you react to the article. After finding the article, you will read it.

2. After reading the article, you will write this exercise. This exercise is made up of three parts.

A. First, you will write a paragraph where you give the title of the article, the name of the magazine it appears in and the author. Then in that first paragraph, you will briefly summarize this article. That is, you will briefly tell what the article is about.

B. Write at least one paragraph sharing your reaction. At this point, do not be concerned with the organization. This is not a formal essay (that will come later); this is just an exercise to generate ideas.

Your reaction can be whatever you like. Just whatever thoughts are flowing out of your mind as you are thinking about the article, write those down. The thought process of this part of the exercise relates to the tools and ideas presented in the Ideas for Essays Lecture notes.

This second part of the exercise where you share your reaction should be one to two paragraphs long.

C. Finally, after you write one or two paragraphs sharing your reaction, write a paragraph where you discuss possible essay topics that you see coming out of your reaction.

1) Explain fertilization process from the cellular level to fetus

2) After learning about the fertilization process, and according to nature and objectively, and scientifically speaking, when does human life begin? Why?

3) Read and summarize Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERD) PART FOUR Introduction.

As a consultant, you need to develop an in-depth analysis and evaluation of the selected agency’s human resources management system and processes, and then provide recommendations for improvement. Therefore, you will conduct interviews with agency representatives and research related academic sources and websites. The analysis will be read by the VP of accounts and client support, as well as by the leaders of the agency for whom you are working.

Analyze 3–4 of the major components of the agency’s human resource system, processes, and performance evaluation plan for hiring and retaining a diversified workforce. Title this section Human Resource Processes.

Analyze and describe the implications impacting the agency’s current employment trend, growth, and delivery of its products and services. Title this section Implications of Human Resource Workforce.

Recommend 2–3 managerial and professional skills and competencies required to improve the agency’s workforce. Explain each recommendation, providing reasons each recommendation would bring about improvement, and providing 2–3 ways the agency could implement programs in preparation for those skills not visible within the agency’s workforce as a method of promotion and advancement for current employees. Title this section Succession Planning for Human Resource Management.

Describe the consultant position you are performing by a) giving it a title; b) explaining 2–3 major specifications required of the job and how each will be measured in a performance evaluation; and c) explaining 2–3 ways this position will be used within the various departments of the agency and for meeting the specific goals and objectives of the agency. (This job description will be provided to the agency director who has requested it. As a resource, use the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.) Title this section Job Analysis and Design.

1. A new international agency was set up by the UN in London at the beginning of 2020 called the “International Piracy Rescue Agency” (IPRA). Its remit is to provide for an international standing rapid armed response unit to stop piracy on the High Seas. The IPRA contracted to buy 3 state of the art ships from 3 different contractors deliverable by 31 December 2020 and each contractor was paid a sum of £10m on a contract price of £20m.

All the ships have yet to be delivered. Contractor A is now insolvent as a result of problems caused by Covid 19 and says it can no longer complete the contract. It says it has spent £5m on materials. Contractor B has had all its assets (including the shipyard where the ship is being built) expropriated by the state where it operates and also can no longer complete the contract. It says it spent £11m on construction. Contractor C completed the ship at a cost of £15m but the ship is being held by rebels and there is no indication how long it will remain embargoed.

Advise the IPRA whether it can use the doctrine of Frustration to get back any of its deposits.

2. Discuss the extent to which the Parol Evidence Rule is a presumption rather than a strict legal rule.

One of the benefits of federalism is policy experimentation at the state level; such experimentation, however, often leads to conflict between state and national governments. Find a controversial example of state policy innovation, and explain how it conflicts with policies of the federal government. Does the particular state policy appear to have support outside its home state? Is it likely that other state governments or even the federal government will adopt this policy in the future? Be sure that the state policy you choose is in clear conflict with laws of the federal government (some possible examples include: assisted suicide in Oregon; recreational marijuana in Colorado).