As a school in the Catholic tradition, the curriculum reflects a broad range of topics for students to study. The students are required for graduation to take a total of two credits in the area of Religious Studies.
Ninth graders take “Understanding Faith” (0.5 credit, 1 semester) which examines the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, and the student’s own spirituality. In the sophomore year, within the World Visions course, the study of World Religions (0.5 credit, 1 semester) is integrated with the study of world civilization and world literature.
In the junior and senior years, the students have a choice of several classes, all of which, except for Philosophy, are one half credit. The Social Justice course examines the scripture imperative to live God’s all-inclusive justice in the world and looks at both the problems that face our times and viable strategies each of us can employ to change the injustice that exists. Any of the other courses offered may be taken based on a student’s interest and what her schedule will accommodate. The student always has the option of taking additional credit beyond the two needed for graduation.
Understanding Faith (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
This class is designed to help students explore, deepen, and enhance the relationships they have with themselves, others, and God. The Judeo-Christian tradition is the basis for this course, with an emphasis on the Catholic perspective. Other elements of this course include Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, prayer, morality, and skills for making good decisions.
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World Visions: Religion (0.5 credit; part of two-block, 1 semester WV course)
This component of the World Visions course seeks to examine the various sacred traditions, particularly of the five major world religions. The primitive religions and the New Age religions of today will also be studied in a brief overview as well as other divisions of the five major religions. Students will be introduced to the founders, creeds, sacred texts, and beliefs of each of these religions. This course will culminate in a field trip to several of the places of worship of the religions examined in this class.
World Visions: Literature
World Visions: History
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Social Justice (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
In a world characterized by justice, conditions needed for all people and all creation to survive and flourish are met. This course develops a conceptual framework for thinking about justice issues. Attention is given to the social justice teachings of the Judeo-Christian tradition, particularly the justice teachings of the New Testament and social encyclicals. Equity issues are identified and evaluated using principles of justice specifically articulated in the teachings of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The interrelationship of teachings about justice and the experience of justice in contemporary life are examined through a variety of activities, readings, and research projects.
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Ethics Seminar (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
Morality deals with the set of values and principles that guide our choices about what kind of person we are becoming. Students study and reflect on the ways of divine love and justice that provide the ultimate standard against which all else is measured. Students further study how this standard is found in Scripture and modeled by individuals and communities faithful to the ways of God. The class considers the process of forming one's conscience in order to make good moral decisions. The students also research and debate selected ethical issues applying principles for moral thinking that they have learned in class.
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Ancient Scriptures (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
The sacred texts from various world religions will be studied with specific emphasis on selected Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, Hebrew, and Islamic texts. The class studies specific literary genres found in the texts and it explores the themes that emerge from the texts. The study of sacred texts will help the student come to understand how these writings have been fundamental in the shaping of views of the world, life, and human nature.
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Christian Scriptures (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
This course examines core themes of Christian teaching exemplified through three types of literature: narrative, letters, and apocalyptic. By reading selected letters, the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Book of Revelation, the central teaching of Jesus carried out in the community of disciples is studied. Reflection on these teachings will help the student understand how this message has shaped fundamental values and beliefs of the Christian tradition.
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The History of Roman Catholicism (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
The Catholic Church has greatly influenced the world in the past and continues to do so in contemporary times. This course looks critically at several key events in Church history. In addition, topics such as ecumenism, hierarchical authority, and methods of Scripture interpretation will be studied.
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Sacraments and Symbols (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
Humans are sacramental people by nature. Whether we are exchanging wedding rings, lighting memorial candles, or breaking bread together, symbols express human experience when words alone are inadequate. This course reflects on the universal language of symbols, the power of ritual, and the grace of sacraments. It will include a study of the seven sacraments in the Catholic tradition as well as exposure to and experience of a sacramental worldview from a variety of religious perspectives. Students will discover symbols as mirrors of who we are and sacraments as pathways to discovering the divine and the human in ourselves and in the world.
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Women and Religion (0.5 credit; half block, 1 semester)
The subject of women in the religions of the world is vast, fascinating, and complex—and full of remarkable personalities. How have social systems and religious traditions molded the spirituality of men and women? How do the ways women participate and contribute across the religious spectrum differ from their male counterparts? In our review of major world religions and cultures, we will consider theology from a variety of perspectives and learn the stories of women in religious communities, mystics, healers, and other significant spiritual figures.
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Philosophy (1 credit for Religious Studies)
Philosophy deals with the great questions of human existence. What gives human life meaning? How do we come to know? What are the characteristics of the moral life? Does a God exist? This course explores the efforts of philosophers of Western civilization to answer these and other questions and allows the students to delve into the process of answering many of their own philosophical questions.
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