The Writings of John Paul the Great JPII Unit Project
Option 1:Summary & Reflection Paper Read one of the texts written by Pope John Paul the Great that have not been covered in this class. Take jot notes as you read and create a summary of the main points of the text. Make connections with other texts we have read in class. Then write a personal reflection on the text, detailing what parts resonate strongly with you and why. This project will be presented in a two-part essay (1: the summary, 2: the reflection).
“Theology of the Body” Choose 3 consecutive lectures (of the 129 total lectures) (1979-1984)
“Salvifici Doloris” (Letter on the Christian meaning of human suffering) (1984)
“Letter to Young People” (1985)
“Evangelium Vitae” Chapter 3: You Shall Not Kill (Encyclical on the dignity and inviolability of human life) (1995)
Option 2:Summary & Reflection Powerpoint Lesson Read one of the texts written by Pope John Paul the Great that have not been covered in this class. Take jot notes as you read and create a summary of the main points of the text. Then present the text in a powerpoint presentation as a lesson with images and connections to other texts that have been covered in class. At the end of the powerpoint presentation, include at least one slide with a detailed personal anecdote; for example, answer one or more of these questions: how did this text resonate with you? What was the most meaningful part of this text for you personally and why?
“Theology of the Body” Choose 3 consecutive lectures (of the 129 total lectures) (1979-1984)
“Salvifici Doloris” (Letter on the Christian meaning of human suffering) (1984)
“Letter to Young People” (1985)
“Evangelium Vitae” Chapter 3: You Shall Not Kill (Encyclical on the dignity and inviolability of human life) (1995)
Option 3:Jeweler’s Shop Summary & Analysis Summarize the three acts of the Jeweler’s Shop. Then, analyze the state (and history) of each relationship and deduce the lessons about love and marriage that can be learned from each couple. Make connections to other texts we’ve read in class. Lastly, write your own reflection on what you think are this play’s the most valuable lessons and how you will apply them to your own life now and future marriage.
Option 4:Jeweler’s Shop Play & Reflection In a group of 3, perform one of the three acts of the Jeweler’s Shop (you can do this live in class or create a video). All group members must also submit a one-page reflection on the relationship presented in the chosen act of the play. Explain the most valuable lessons you can learn from this act of the play for your own life now and future marriage.
Option 5: Jesus Dignifies Women Paper & Reflection Read Chapter 5 of “Mulieris Dignitatum” about how Jesus dignified and affirmed women in the Gospels. Summarize this reading and make connections to what you’ve learned about “Feminine Genius” from JPII’s “Letter to Women”. Connect this text to related discussion from Jason Evert’s Saint John Paul the Great as well. Then write a personal reflection on the text, detailing what parts resonate strongly with you and why.
Option 6:“Forming the Arrow” Paper OR Powerpoint Lesson Write an expository essay OR persuasive essay OR create a powerpoint lesson about Karol Wojtyla’s formation in his younger years. Specifically, choose at least four figures that had a significant impact on who he would become, “forming the arrow”, so to speak. Detail each figure’s influence on Karol, with context (who are they? When/where did he know them? What was their influence on him at the time? What was their lasting influence on him?).
Details on length, bibliography, formatting, etc. are included in the rubrics (see links at top of this page).