RELIGION DEPARTMENT
Department Head: TBD
Four credits in Religion are required for graduation from Notre Dame High School. This requirement is to be fulfilled in the following manner: FRESHMEN: Christian Person and Sacred Scripture, SOPHOMORES: Living Church and Encountering Jesus, JUNIORS: Moral Development and Death and Dying, SENIORS: Life Choices and Social Justice.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Required Courses
CHRISTIAN PERSON
.5 credit
The student will explore the personal components and values that identify the mature Christian woman. She will look at her own developing humanity and spirituality in relation to her tremendous potential to influence her world. She will determine what ultimately gives life meaning as she nurtures her unique gifts from God.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshman
SACRED SCRIPTURE
.5 credit
The student will learn to read and pray with the Bible. She will investigate important people and events, the various forms of writing used by biblical authors, and the relation of Christian Scriptures to Hebrew Scriptures. She will be encouraged to integrate scriptural themes of faith, forgiveness, covenant, prayer and the call to justice into her daily life.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshman
LIVING CHURCH
.5 credit
The student will explore what it means to be the people of God and will investigate the central characteristics of Catholicism, church history, our faith heritage, and our social justice doctrine. She will describe how as a follower of Jesus, a member of the body of Christ, she will continue His work to bring the reign of God to completion.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of freshman courses
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore
ENCOUNTERING JESUS
.5 credit
The student will encounter Jesus, review the sacraments in the light of His ministry, and explore the implications for her life. She will understand Jesus as the most complete sacrament of God to the world. She will reflect on how we meet God most clearly by meeting Jesus, and that when we celebrate the seven sacraments we are joining with the Church in making Christ alive and visible in the world.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of freshman courses
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
.5 credit
The student will learn principles of Catholic spirituality in becoming a moral woman who chooses truth, love, freedom. She will develop her conscience and learn the process of Christian decision making. She will take steps to grow in forgiveness and in virtue.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of sophomore courses
CLASS STATUS: Junior
DEATH AND DYING
.5 credit
The student will explore the mystery of death and the experience of loss and pain in light of the central reality of the resurrection. She will consider ways to handle loss, grief, and healing in her life. She will consider ways to minister to others who are grieving. She will reflect on liturgical and personal rituals as means for healing and hope.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of sophomore courses
CLASS STATUS: Junior
LIFE CHOICES
.5 credit
The student will study vocation and ministry in light of her call to love God, others and herself. She will discern how she can best respond to the particular ways God calls her at various times in her life. She will deepen her insight about healthy relationships, and reverence the values and challenges of life’s three major vocations. This content is based on Pope John Paul II’s teachings on the theology of the body.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of junior courses
CLASS STATUS: Senior
SOCIAL JUSTICE
.5 credit
The student will learn the principles of Catholic social teaching. She will learn to incorporate Catholic values into her frame of reference while studying social issues. She will choose various topics to research and examine some systemic change possibilities from a Christian perspective.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of junior courses
CLASS STATUS: Senior
Electives
SENIOR RELIGION SEMINAR
.5 credit
Senior Religion Seminar is a course that may be used for general elective credit. This course is designed for any senior who is interested in pursuing more developed ideas in theology, such as readings in the history of women mystics and other topics. Primary qualifications for participation in this course are an enthusiasm for reading challenging material and a desire to share ideas in a seminar type of setting. Enrollment in this course is limited to fifteen (15) students in two sections in order to encourage a seminar style of discussion.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of junior courses
CLASS STATUS: Senior
CATHOLICS & CULTURE
.5 credit
The student will grow in her understanding of Catholic identity and spirituality learning to articulate that viewpoint in relation to contemporary moral issues. She will critically analyze and compassionately respond to the challenges and values present in our culture.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of sophomore courses
CLASS STATUS: Junior/Senior
RELIGIOUS WOMEN
.5 credit
The student will study past and contemporary women who light the journey of religious growth. She will choose specific models whose teachings will help her life. She will determine ways to deepen her prayer life and her point of view in living as an adult religious woman.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of sophomore courses
CLASS STATUS: Junior/Senior
WORLD RELIGIONS
.5 credit
This is a fast-paced survey course of the major religions of the world. Students will compare and contrast the major religions of the world with regard to concept of God, creed/sacred writings, ethics, ritual and prayer/worship; present a research project on a selected Christian religion; explain the root causes of the Holocaust along with the importance of studying it; and describe the contributions of the various religions in promoting a culture of peace.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of sophomore courses
CLASS STATUS: Junior/Senior