Introduction to Philosophy is a challenging course open to juniors and seniors. The purpose of

this class is to expose students to the discipline of philosophy. The goal is to teach students

some of the intellectual tools necessary to philosophize. Course work may include, but is not

limited to: the beginnings of philosophy (arousing a sense of intellectual wonder, the intellect

as foundation of true philosophy, definition of the term ʻPhilosophyʼ), history of the discipline of

Philosophy (the Greeks, the Romans, and the West), how to philosophize (abstraction and

reasoning, the art of conversation, writing a dialogue, first questions of Philosophy), Metaphysics,

philosophy of being (a priori truths, absolutes and contingency, natures and essences)

This course is a survey of the tenets of our faith, bridging the content areas between Junior High

and High School courses. It provides clear catechesis in Catholic Sacraments, practices, and

morality. Content areas include prayer, the Church, the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Old

and New Testaments, and the moral virtues. Extensive investigation of the Sacraments and

Commandments is the focus. Students are called to apply the practices of our faith to their own

lives, to live as Christian disciples in todayʼs world, and to be Biblically literate, active members

of the Catholic Church.

This course is intended to help students understand the Old Testament, and provide a foundation

for adult exploration. Content includes study of Creation, the Early World, Patriarchs, Exodus,

the Kingdom of Israel, Old Testament prophets (Divided Kingdom), Post-Exile era, Wisdom

Literature, Psalms and Daniel. Covenant and salvation history are featured themes. Connection

to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is emphasized. Students are called to apply the

message of Scripture to their own lives, to live as Christian disciples in todayʼs world, and to be

Biblically literate, active members of the Catholic Church. The focus is on introducing students

to the literary styles and techniques used throughout the Scriptures, providing historical content

to enhance understanding of respective books, and transmission of authentic Christian faith and

moral teachings as found in the Testaments and in Church Tradition.

This course is intended to help students understand the New Testament and provide a

foundation for adult exploration. Content areas include study of the Testamentʼs structure,

the historical and political background of the Early Christian world, the Holy Gospels, St. Paul,

New Testament Letters, Acts, and Revelation. The course presents the Christian Scriptures as

a source of our understanding of Jesus and his message. Students are called to apply the message

of Scripture to their own lives, to live as Christian disciples in todayʼs world, and to be Biblically

literate, active members of the Catholic Church. Students are introduced to the literary styles

and techniques used throughout the Scriptures, and provided with historical content to enhance

understanding of respective books. Authentic Christian faith and moral teachings as found in the

Testaments and in Church Tradition are transmitted to the students.

This course introduces students to the basic principles of Catholic moral teaching, provides

a framework for moral decision-making, and investigates what it means to be an adult Christian

in todayʼs world. Principals of moral theology include freedom, conscience, ethics, law, sin,

and conversion. Applications to the moral life are supported by instruction in the Commandments,

Beatitudes, and Catholic Social Teaching. The Gospel message in the modern world is

investigated through study of contemporary society, vocations, and personal relationships.

Students are called to consider their personal role in todayʼs Church, either religious or lay,

and to demonstrate a fundamental orientation toward Christʼs moral message in their attitudes, values, and behaviors. As Sons and Daughters of the Light, each student is challenged to

articulate and develop a personal identity, healthy relationships, meaningful work life, and a holy spiritual life in the transition from high school.

Students will enter into discussion and prayer about expectant faith, what it means to be touched

by Jesus, and the meaning of discipleship through the lives of the women who lived in the first

generation of Christianity. This study focuses on four themes: women changed by Jesus, of

prominence, of expectant faith, and discipleship. Students will use the Bible as their textbook and

the teacher will supply additional reading materials.

This course is an elective in values education using contemporary media and ʻreal-lifeʼ visual resources. Objectives include: to think, discuss, and write critically about film from a religious studies perspective, to broaden understanding of the term "religious" and then to identify spirituality's significant role in film plot, narrative, and imagery, to foster insight into other faith perspectives through a careful examination of contemporary visual media, to explore and analyze specific representations of religious belief, practice, individuals, and institutions, to examine the ways in which films depict issues and events relevant to the spirituality of contemporary Americans, to connect the images, language, and teachings found in religion with studentsʼ daily life experiences and decisions, to view and critique current film portrayals of religious themes,

and to communicate and discuss analyses with other students using technology.