Rel. Studies Course Descriptions

Religious Studies Department
Updated for Year 09-10

This is a full year survey course designed to give students a comprehensive overview of Catholic belief and practice.  Topics to be covered include Faith, Revelation, Scripture,
Trinity, Church, Tradition, Sacraments, Spirituality, and Prayer.  Service projects will be required.

This course will integrate specific themes which are central to the study of both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures.  Some themes to be explored are Revelation, Promise, Compassion, Faith, Forgiveness, Justice, Service, and Trust.  The goal of this course is for students to comprehend the roots of the Judeo-Christian tradition, to interpret present-day issues against this tradition, and to foster their spiritual growth.  Service projects will be required.

The Religious Studies Program for juniors is divided into two courses.

Catholic Morality:  This course deals with moral decision making in the light of Catholic Christian teaching.  It examines various aspects of conscience formation, and is designed to help the student make intelligent, logical, and compassionate moral decisions which reflect their Catholic Christian education.  A service project will be required.

Social Justice:  This course focuses on Social Justice.  Jesus spoke of the world as a place in need of justice.  Students examine the call to social justice, and look at a variety of contemporary areas of concern including poverty, hunger, sexism, racism, ecology and peacemaking.  This course is intended to encourage a creative and hopeful response to the call to justice.  A service project will be required.

Christian Life and Vocation:  Keeping in mind the growth of each student as an individual, this course explores marriage, the single life, and the consecrated/religious/ordained life within the Church and within the wider community.  Communication and discernment and their importance are stressed.  It is hoped that, by means of class presentations, readings, and class discussions, each student will come to envision his/her future with deepened awareness.

Theology of Suffering and Death:  This course deals with the mystery of suffering and death.  Students will examine religious traditions regarding death and afterlife.  They will also study some of the contemporary research on the dying process.  Death and resurrection is the starting point for students' exploration of their own attitudes and beliefs about death and afterlife.

All seniors must complete the senior service project
through the Campus Ministry Program.