These are materials that we used in our classes but can also used as general subject references.
Lectures on Stories & Character - Oikos University, Spring 2023
Lecture 1 – Introduction to Meaning & Purpose of Stories
You already know how to tell stories! Stories are our most natural way of talking about life.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, Popular Literature in English)
Lecture 2 – Understanding Virtues & Vices is Key to LIterature
How many virtues & vices can you identify in this informal story? Test your spiritual intelligence.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, Popular Literature in English)
A Guide to Virtues & Vices from ENG 102 Spring 2019
An excellent example of illustrating the virtures in vices by one class.
A Second Guide of Virtues & Vices from ENG 102 2020
Another excellent example of illustrating the virtures in vices by another class.
Chart for Character Traits Bingo, Writing Lecture 2
Play bingo! Win the great prize of self-esteem! Fill out this chart during the Writing Lecture 2 story.
Lectures on Writing from Inside Out - Oikos University, Spring 2023
Writing Lecture 1 – On the Writing Process
Do you dread writing in school? Stressed and confused? Writing in circles without focus? This introductory lecture takes a new look at the process of writing. Get an idea that interests you. Develop it through research and writing - at the same time. Produce the first draft early and naturally, then revise it into work that you're eager to share with discerning readers.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, English Writing & Composition)
Writing Lecture 2 – The Personal Essay
At its best, a Personal Essay can show readers a larger dimension of life from telling therm what you've experienced. It's also a great way for you to start developing your voice and confidence, too. This video will help you develop your freewriting to a real first draft, and then revise it into a successful and satisfying work.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, English Writing & Composition)
Writing Lecture 3 – The Narrative Story
Are you telling you story in the most interesting way? Are people on the edge of their chairs - or checking their phones for messages? Are you touching people's hearts? Showing them a deeper meaning in the events you are narrating? This video will help you understand the power of plot and character change.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, English Writing & Composition)
Writing Lecture 4 – The Imagined Story in Fiction
Is the writing process different for a story in fiction? How do you recognize an idea for an imagined story and then develop it? Can I use my imagination to write a story that actually happened? This video explores ways the imagination works in story telling compared to the use of facts in non-fiction.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, English Writing & Composition)
Writing Lecture 5 – The Academic Research Paper
Most college courses require academic research papers, not personal writing. How can the freewriting process be used in a research paper? How does it produce the tight, logical paper proposing and defending a thesis position? This video shows the intuitive way can work better than outlining for drafting and structuring the academic paper.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023, English Writing & Composition)
Lecture on Writing a Final Story
A review of how to identify what you want to write about, use freewriting to develop it and revising it to finish.
(ENG 102 Spring 2023)
Lectures on Gospel of John - Oikos University, Spring 2023
Lecture 2 – Why Learning Scriptures is Different
Before we start to discuss religious scriptures, we need to understand how to read them and avoid interpreting them through our own preconceptions and worldviews. This lecture describes the differences between sacred and secular stories.
(NT 320 Gospel of John, Synoptic Gospels NT 203)
Lecture 5 – Birth of New Life for You and Me after Easter
What happened after the Crucifixion of Jesus? How did His death heal our deepest wound? And what does this mean for you and I to become truly happy?
(Gospel of John NT 320)
Lecture 6 – On Writing a Spiritual Autobiography
Your historical autobiograhy tells the story of the events in your life; your spiritual autobiography tells the story of your inner life. Examine your life turning points, choices and their consequences. Did you gain in confidence, happiness, peace, with loving friends, wanting to help? Or did you become miserable, self-doubting, fearful, resentful, feeling cheated, betrayed, suspicious of others, isolated? These lasting inner responses to life experiences and lessons form the story of your spiritual life and your deepest autobiography.
(NT 320 Gospel of John)
Overview of Worldviews & Religions
Consciously or unconsciously, everyone lives out their personal worldview, philosophy of life or religious practice. Can you identify yours?
Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels
An overview of Jesus through the synoptic gospels
Four Levels of Biblical Interpretation, from Literal to Spiritual
The literal meaning is the body of Scripture, the spiritual meaning is the soul.
How St. Ignatius Discovered Spiritual Discernment – and Changed His Life
Noticing the difference between divine invitations and self-centered distractions is key to a happy life.
Why Spiritual Awareness is Essential for Recognizing Spiritual Experience
Pay attention to subtle interior movements that color and shape our thoughts and emotions,
Preparing Arguments for a Debate - Holy Names University
On Writing and Revising - Handouts
10 Tips on Revising Your Writing
Ever wonder what to do with your freewriting? This handout discusses the importance of revising and improving what the freewriting opens up.
Understanding the Structure of Stories and Films
To revise your freewriting, it helps to learn the basic structure of stories.
Yes, There is a Secret to Learning English
TED TALK OVERVIEW: A Simple Method to Learn Any Language
Learning to walk through the wave of resistance
(NT 320 Gospel of John)
TED TALK 1: Watch Scott Young & Vat Jaiswal learn Spanish in 3 months.
Scott and Vat start their yearlong experience by learning Spanish in Spain. Watch them progress from beginner confusion to fluency!
(NT 320 Gospel of John)
TED TALK 2: Watch Scott Young & Vat Jaiswal learn Korean in 3 months
After Spain, why not Korea? Here's a stylish K-Pop view of their Korean visit. Their progress in learning to speak Korean starts toward the end.
(NT 320 Gospel of John)
TED TALK 3: Watch Scott Young & Vat Jaiswal learn to speak Chinese in 3 months.
Chinese puts Scott and Vat to the ultimate test. It's one of the hardest languages of all. By the end of 3 months, they sound pretty good!
(NT 320 Gospel of John)
TED TALK 4: Watch Scott Young & Vat Jaiswal learn to speak Portuguese in 3 months.
Scott and Vat wrap up their year with Portuguese in Brazil. Similar but very different than Spanish!
(NT 320 Gospel of John)
Learning English
TED TALK: Teaching English WITHOUT Teaching English
Roberto Guzman shows that when you forget about English and focus on meaningful conversation, you learn English! The more you speak, the more you make mistakes. The more you make mistakes, the more you learn!
(NT 320 Gospel of John)