Theology Department

Essential Knowledge and Skills

This course offers students the opportunity to focus on the development of morality in the Gospels and how Jesus taught us to live. Students will study about the reality of sin and the moral formation and decision making that God has instilled in us as humans. Students will deepen their understanding of moral teachings by learning to apply the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Students will learn about the injustices in our world and how to respond to these injustices as followers of Christ. Students will also continue to develop their commitment to service and to fully participate in the faith life of the school.

Indicators of Student Learning

Upon completion of this course, students will:

Understand, explain, and recognize his/ her part in our world:

• Develop an understanding of how Christ has taught us to live a new life in Christ based on the teachings of the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Catholic moral and social teachings.

• Be educated in the reality of sin and its social dimensions.

• Be able to articulate the issues behind each of the major themes of Catholic Social Teaching.

• Understand the social and ethical issues society is faced with and the implications of the results of those issues on our world.

Articulate basic beliefs of the Catholic faith in matters of Ethical and social issues:

• Connect this academic content with a lived faith experience.

• Develop a sense of community in class and school

• Develop respect and love for self, God, and others

Recognize a personal connection to the larger community and the responsibility we hold for Christian Service:

• Participate in the service-learning program.

• Participate in service reflections.

• Reflect on their personal relationship with God for inclusion in the Spiritual Portfolio.

Develop communication skills:

•Share ideas and information in small group and whole class discussions, visual presentations, written reflections, and multimedia presentations.

• Use writing as a tool (i.e. journals, summarizations, reports, and essays)

• Use communication strategies to facilitate retention of information such as repeating information constructing mnemonic devices, and taking notes.

• Build vocabulary by explaining terminology used by the Catholic Church

Enhance personal use of technology:

• Collaborate with peers to use technology projects and creative works.

• Create multi- media presentations, participate in web quests, collaborative presentations, and/ or Power Points.

Assessments

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

•Learn and be tested on the elements of the USCCB’s (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) Doctrinal Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age.

•Demonstrate competency in the basic beliefs of the Catholic faith connecting this academic content with a live faith experience

•Participating in school-wide liturgy and the class retreat.

•Complete the required number of service hours

•Complete the reflections and projects that tie service with personal experience and affects on others.

•Expres ideas clearly

•Present ideas and information in visual presentations, written responses, and multimedia presentations.

•Create and present digital projects and/or multi-media presentations.