SHDHS Online / Academics / Course Descriptions / Theology

COMMUNITY SERVICE: We hope that our students are helpful to others motivated by the love of God and committed to justice. Community service is 10% of the Theology grade for each quarter of each school year. Criteria is announced in Theology classes, listed on the service bulletin board, and posted on the school's webpage.

COURSE TITLE FRESHMEN THEOLOGY

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9

CREDIT 1

PREREQUISITES NONE

NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO

REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? YES

Introduction to Catholicism is a comprehensive introduction to the Catholic faith. The course explains what it means to be Catholic. The course relies heavily on sources such as Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the lives of the saints, the Fathers of the Church, and the teachings of Vatican II as witnessed by the pontificate of John Paul II. The course is divided into two self-standing semesters.

A Call to Holiness � first semester: In this semester, students are introduced to the call to be holy in response to "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Mt 5:48. In order to embrace this calling, the students gain a deeper knowledge of the meaning of sainthood, prayer, the Holy Trinity, the Church as the Body of Christ, and how God reveals Himself through Scripture and Tradition

Sacraments and Commandments � second semester: This course provides the students with a deeper meaning and appreciation for the graces received in the seven Sacraments and leading a virtuous life. The origin, history, and meaning of each Sacrament are discussed as well as how the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes are a means to holiness and salvation.

COURSE TITLE SOPHOMORE THEOLOGY

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10

CREDIT 1

PREREQUISITES THEOLOGY I

NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO

REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? YES

Scripture, Old Testament-first semester: This course offers an examination of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures and their relation to the Catholic Church. Study of the revelation of God throughout time orally and through the sacred writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, includes recognizing the importance of literary techniques in Scripture and knowing God�s plan of salvation unfolding throughout time.

Scripture, New Testament/Christian Testament-second semester: This course gives the student an opportunity to discover the world Jesus Christ chose to enter. Knowing the socio-historical significance of biblical times will encourage the student to compare and contrast those with today�s signs of the times. The Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John and the Epistles will be compared and contrasted; hopefully contributing to an unfolding relationship with Jesus Christ.

COURSE TITLE JUNIOR THEOLOGY

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11

CREDIT 1

PREREQUISITES THEOLOGY II

NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO

REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? YES

Church History, Early Church to 18^th century-first semester: Emphasis will be put on what it means to be church within the Catholic tradition and how the people of God have continued to discover the revelation of the divine throughout the ages. Studying the influence of the patristic fathers through the time of the Age of Enlightenment with emphasis on church as the People of God framed within institutional church gives a unique perspective on historical events as part of God�s saving action.

Church History, Industrial Revolution to contemporary times-second semester: The focus will be to see how gospel values continue to influence the signs of the times within Church as institution and among the People of God. Attention will be given to encyclicals including the Rerum Novarum , Vatican II encyclicals, and Deus Caritas. There is study of justice issues in the USA and globally. How our Church History influences who we are as church today and leads us into the future will frame this semester.

Junior Retreat - All juniors are required to attend an overnight retreat sponsored by the school's Campus Ministry department. Attendance is required in order to pass Theology III for the year.

COURSE TITLE SENIOR THEOLOGY

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 12

CREDIT 1

PREREQUISITES THEOLOGY III

NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES

REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? YES

Mission and Leadership � senior elective, first semester: Students will be exposed to various types of Christian service in which they learn to use their gifts to benefit others. Students will be required to perform two hours of community service each week with a non-profit organization, nursing home, etc. They will study, work, and reflect upon their capacity to impact the world just as Christ served and gave His life as a ransom for others. Special attention will be given to service as mission and evangelization modeled on the image of Jesus as the suffering servant.

Prayer � senior elective, first semester: Prayer class gives the student the opportunity to explore and to develop different methods of prayer. This course is structured to allow students time to reflect upon their life journey and to determine how their life�s spiritual journey can enhance them holistically. Students look at areas of private prayer, group worship, liturgy, prayer services, and communal spirituality.

The Dignity of the Human Person � senior elective, first semester: This course will place the human person in the context of the universe as a whole and will direct the students to see the human being as an embodied spirit linked with the universal community. Diverse views of the human person from various cultures will be compared and contrasted with the image of the human person according to Roman Catholic teaching. The course will end by connecting the material learned with an examination of Jesus� understanding of the human person as revealed by the Gospel writers.

Morality � second semester: This course explores moral decision-making. The students are challenged to consider what kind of person they are becoming. Also, they examine motives for their decisions and actions and try to understand the motives of others. Principles, values, conscience formation, and dilemma are major constructs. Catholic teaching, church tradition, scripture, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are consulted while exploring past and present events and topics.