COURSE CURRICULUM

 

RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

 

Christ: The Eternal Word

This course introduces the student to Sacred Scripture without expecting a foundational knowledge of the Bible, or of church tradition.  This course will explore a bare basics overview of the Old Testament and the New Testament, with particular attention to the Ancient Israelites, Old Testament Patriarchal history, and Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah.  Students will learn to see the Bible as prayer, and the teachings of Christ as life-altering guidance.

 

Grade 9 (1st semester)

 

Christ: Who is Jesus?

An introduction to Scripture continues with a study of Christology.  Students will study the person of Jesus Christ as a human being, a vibrant preacher, a holy man, the Son of God and the Savior of the world.  Students will also discuss those philosophies in the world that challenge and contradict Christian beliefs, namely materialism, radical individualism, and moral relativism

Grade 9 (2nd Semester)

 

1 Credit
 

Christ's Accomplishments

The Paschal Mystery (Jesus’ life, death and resurrection) is the central mystery of the Christian faith.  This course will explore what Christ’s Paschal Mystery means to the world, the church, and the individual Christian – how His Paschal Mystery impacted the salvation history of the people of God, and what is required of those who call themselves Christian.

 

Grade 10 (1st Semester)

 

 

 

Christ's Continuing Work

This course examines the impact of Christ’s church in the history of the world.  The student will study how the church went from being persecuted to being an accepted part of society, the highs and lows of the church history throughout the early church, the middle ages, and the modern age.  This course will include such topics as the Church Fathers, the lives of the Saints, the Reformation, and the history of the Catholic Church in the United States.  The student will also explore and discuss the meaning of Church, and being a member of Christ’s church in today’s world.

Grade 10 (2nd Semester)

 

1 Credit

 

Sacraments

At this point in their faith formation, students are aware of the meaning of the seven ritual sacraments.  This course aims to build upon that knowledge with a deeper understanding of the meaning of sacrament as a sign and symbol of God’s love through Jesus Christ.  Additionally, a greater understanding of the meaning, matter and form, grace, and other spiritual benefits of each of the seven sacraments is discussed.

Grade 11 (1st Semester)

 

 

 

Life in Christ I

This course is an introduction to, and  in-depth overview of the moral teachings of the Catholic Church, and essentially all of Christianity.  The student will consider the moral life in response to the Christian life.  We will examine the moral implications of the teachings of Christ and the tradition of the Church.  Topics discussed in this course include conscience, original sin, personal sin, mortal and venial sin, the Decalogue, the Beatitudes, the spiritual and the corporal works of mercy and so forth.  Students will learn to define sin and understand its destructive consequences in each individual’s life, as well as society as a whole.

Grade 11 (2nd Semester)

 

1 Credit

 

Honor Religion: Sacraments/Life in Christ II

During the Junior year of study, upper level students have the choice of taking the Junior courses at the honors level.  A high grade point average, and a higher level of maturity is required in order to participate in the level of critical thinking, reading, and ability to understand complex philosophical and theological ideas necessitated in an honors level  religion course.  The objectives for the for the honors course are mandated by the diocese, and thus the same as the regular religion courses.  However, the students will take a greater in-depth view of moral teachings of the church.  Students will required to do extensive  reading, expression of ideas, and writing, as well as critical thinking exercises.

Grade 11

 

1 Credit

Life in Christ II

Building upon the information learned in the first part of this course, students will further study and investigate the social thought of the Catholic Christian Church.  Students will discuss issues such as poverty, prejudice, racism, abortion, capital punishment and so forth, as well as the responsibility of each Christian to apply the Gospel message to the world in which we live.

Grade 12

1 Credit

 

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

Beginning with the universal call to holiness, this course discusses one’s vocation in life as well as vocations in general.  A greater in-depth study is made of the sacraments of marriage and holy orders.  In addition, the vocational calls of single life and religious life are also discussed.  The student will discuss church teachings as they relate to marriage, sexual responsibility, and life issues.

Grade 12 (2nd Semester)

 

 

 

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