Course Descriptions - Religious Studies
Course Numbers: 0101 - 0401
All courses are College-Preparatory
Requirement: All students are required to take 4 years of Religious Studies courses.
Introduction to the Old Testament (0101) GRADE 9 SEMESTER
This course analyzes the Old Testament in its many literary forms in order to better understand the faith message. It involves a study of the major divisions of the Old Testament and how they are related to our faith life today.
The Prophetic Tradition (0101) GRADE 9 QUARTER
This course will introduce students to the themes of the prophetic writings and the role played by the prophets in the history of the Jewish people. Attention will be concentrated on the literary prophets of the Old Testament.
Prayer (0101) GRADE 9 QUARTER
This course is designed to explore the meaning of prayer as a relationship with God and to provide opportunities for prayer experiences. Students explore the nature of God and the praying person, and the communication skills necessary for any relationship. Attention is given to personal prayer as well as liturgical prayer with specific reference to the Catholic liturgical cycle.
Conscience and Moral Decision Making (0201) GRADE 10 SEMESTER
This course explores the nature of Christian morality, examines the formation of a personal conscience, the role of authority and responsibility in the exercise of freedom. It studies the processes of value choosing and decision-making, presents a theology of sin and reconciliation, and invites the students to a model for response-morality.
Jesus in the Gospels (0201) GRADE 10 QUARTER
This course explores the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ by examining the theological and historical background of the gospels. A study of the message of each gospel affects a clearer understanding of the challenge of Christian living.
Social Justice (0201) GRADE 10 QUARTER
This course is designed to raise the consciousness of the students to the network of injustice and oppression which are obstacles to the Christian task of building a global community. Students will be led to an awareness of individual and corporate responsibility to establish justice based on the themes of Catholic Social Teaching.
World Religions (0301) GRADE 11 SEMESTER
This course shows how religion is a way of life for all peoples. This is accomplished by the study of the development of religious awareness from primitive times and a survey of the principal religions of the world, including their beginnings, scriptures, beliefs and worship.
Sacraments (0301) GRADE 11 SEMESTER
This course presents the sacraments as a celebration of Christ's values and His presence among us. It seeks to explore the symbolic action of human life and the profound social dimension of sacramental experience. In addition, a study of the historical, liturgical, and theological dimensions helps students discover the relationship between the sacraments and their own life.
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SENIOR YEAR
Christian Lifestyles (0401), a semester course, is required for all Seniors. In addition, two other quarter courses are selected as preferences from those courses shown below.
Christian Lifestyles (0401) GRADE 12 SEMESTER
This course presents students with a comprehensive overview of Christian lifestyles. It combines good information, sound psychology and a meaningful religious dimension. Emphasis is on Christ as the model for Christian values inherent in marriage, the single life and the religious life.
Death and Dying (0401) GRADE 12 QUARTER
This course is designed to help students acknowledge and confront the reality of death in a truly human way by a consideration of how we should deal with the dying, the beliefs about death and resurrection in Scripture, and the idea of creative grief. Emphasis is on Christ as the one who is the Resurrection and the Life.
Search for Meaning (0401) GRADE 12 QUARTER
This course explores contemporary media and writers, alongside ancient thinkers in an attempt to understand the human search for the meaning of life. Students will consider a spirituality that seeks to fulfill Jesus’ promise, “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.”
Social Justice II (0401) GRADE 12 QUARTER
This course will continue the work begun in the 10th grade Social Justice course. Taking an integrated approach of prayer, study and action, the course will examine current social issues in the light of the gospels and Catholic Social Teaching documents. Students will practice methods of taking action toward the transformation of unjust structures.
Women of Faith (0401) GRADE 12 QUARTER
This course begins with a second look at scripture--both Hebrew and Christian Testaments--to focus specifically on the stories and roles of women and the images of God already contained in the Bible. Emphasis will be on the unique contribution of women, past and present, in the areas of theology, prayer, social justice and morality as we discover what it means to be a woman of faith in our own time.
(Updated 3/10/10)