Theology

The Theology Department requires all students to complete four years of the required or core theology courses, a retreat experience each year, and a minimum of 25 hours of Christian Service. The theology curriculum provides students with the opportunity to participate in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church. The Theology of the Body for Teens, based on the teachings of Pope John Paul II, is integrated into the scope and sequence of the four year theology curriculum. Each course develops and enhances the student’s relationship with God through different types of prayer.

 

714theol I Theology I: Our Catholic Faith
GR 9 | QP 4.33 | 1 CREDIT | YEAR
The freshman curriculum provides an introduction to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, a study of the Sacraments, a brief history of the Catholic Church, an introduction to World Religions, and recognition of elements of personal growth, development, and human sexuality. The curriculum also includes a study of the basic elements of the Catholic faith: worship, Church structure, the liturgical calendar, and devotional prayer forms.

724theolII Theology II: Scripture
GR 10 | QP 4.33 | 1 CREDIT | YEAR
Theology II offers a survey of the scriptures of Judeo-Christian tradition, highlighting the content of Genesis and Exodus, the Deuteronomic History, the Prophets, Wisdom literature, the four Gospel portraits of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles, and the letters of St. Paul. Students develop an appreciation for the Jewish roots of the Christian faith as well as the relevance of the Bible for their personal faith life and the liturgical life of the Church. Intended outcomes of the course are to foster a growing love for the Bible as a valuable companion in students’ lives.

 

734theolIII Theology III
GR 11 | QP 4.33 | 1 CREDIT | YEAR
Peace and Justice
This course applies Gospel spirituality and values to daily living. The message of the Gospels is viewed in connection with the active response required of Christians called to discipleship. Special attention is given to the Church’s responses to peace and justice issues as well as current social problems in American society and the worldwide community. The mysteries and doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ are emphasized through solidarity with the poor and suffering.

Conscience Formation and Morality
The course exposes the adolescent to the major principles and traditional teachings of Catholic morality. It provides a method of moral-decision making through critical thinking to help students form a Christian conscience and to guide them in making ethical choices. This course highlights moral issues facing the Christian in the 21st century and emphasizes the example of those working toward solutions to the issues studied.

 

744theolIV Theology IV
GR 12 | QP 4.33 | 1 CREDIT | YEAR
Living the Christian Life
This course utilizes contemporary theology and provides practical guidelines for living the Christian life more fully and concretely. Students investigate the importance of developing a Christ-like attitude of love and the implications that has on personal discernment. The course focuses on the vision of self, others, life, the world, and God, with special emphasis on the Christian perspective as found in the life and teachings of Jesus. This course seeks to enhance a student’s relationship with God through a deeper exploration of prayer.
Current ethical issues facing the Catholic Christian in the contemporary world are integrated as part of this course. Consequently, topics for discussion are drawn from various fields of concern: medical ethics, criminal justice, sexual morality, social justice, and environmental affairs. A seminar format offers students the opportunity to articulate and analyze moral perspectives in response to primary sources.

747wldrelH Honors Comparative World Religions
GR 11, 12 | QP 4.67 | ½ CREDIT | SEM 1 OR 2
Especially in a world marked by change, diversity and conflict, there is a pressing need toward respect and openness to the truth expressed by all world religions in the universal search for salvation. In addition to nurturing our own faith life rooted in the Christian tradition, this course offers a stimulating survey of the modern religious world by examining the following particular religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism as well as new religious movements in the 21st century. The basic elements of each religion--teachings, sacred stories, rituals, and its stance on the fundamental questions of life will be examined. The course will also explore the changing nature of each religion, the spread of religious pluralism, the rise in violence in the name of religion, and the movement toward interfaith dialogue as called for by the Second Vatican Council.
Note: This course is an elective and does not fulfill the Theology III or IV requirement.