Religious Studies
The Religious Studies Department seeks to provide an educational atmosphere in which the student can more easily achieve the gradual realization of the real meaning of Christ and His Church and God’s intrinsic relationship to the person living in a complex and ever-changing society. Thus our approach is two-fold: imparting knowledge and values; presenting opportunities for forming faith and developing it.
The Religious Studies program is divided into two areas: Spiritual Development and
Four Years Course of Study
I. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
A. Formation
Each student participates in a day of reflection and prayer during her Formation Day. Freshman and Sophomores share this day in small groups in a cottage on campus. Juniors and Seniors share one day off campus or participate in an in-school experience.
B. Christian Awakening
Juniors and Seniors are informed about the Christian Awakening Retreat weekends which take place at St. Paul’s Center. They are encouraged to participate in this experience. Arrangements are made through school.
C. Crossroads Retreat
An optional 24 hour over-night retreat is sponsored by Campus Ministry.
II. COURSE OF STUDY
FRESHMAN LEVEL COURSES
810 FM Religious Studies
"The Christian as Listener" - - Faith is a process and grows in proportion to our own growth in relationship as we seek God in ourselves and others. This theme is developed in three stages.
Students take Course A and Course B and Course C in this year.
Course A. "I Have Called You by Name" Our self esteem, rooted in the unconditional love of God, helps us form caring friendships with others.
Course B. "In the Beginning Was the Word" God calls us to come to know the WORD in our minds and our hearts.
C. "Come Follow Me" This course will present the basic teachings of Catholic Christianity to be embraced by members of the Church.
SOPHOMORE LEVEL COURSES
820 SM Religious Studies
"The Christian As A Person In Community" - - On many levels of life we are called upon to be a person in relationship. Students take both Course A and Course B in this year.
Course A. "Christian Morality" - - guides the student in developing the underlying principles involved in the methods of making moral decisions and helps her apply principles of moral reasoning to the complexities of modern life.
Course B. "Christian Sexual Morality" - - directs each student to deal with the question of her own sexual identity in the light of the Christian value to reverence life and love. She is helped to develop a lifestyle responsive to her call as a young Christian woman in society.
JUNIOR LEVEL COURSES
830 JR Religious Studies
"The Christian as Healer" - - The students on this level are guided to a perspective of themselves as people called to be healing, caring and supportive persons in the many roles and situations encountered in daily living. To this end, in addition to the two semester courses, the students are required to perform a minimum of 50 hours of Christian service in their parishes or communities. With departmental approval, this service may be performed the summer prior to Junior year. The completion of Christian service, within Junior year, is a requirement for graduation.
Juniors take both Course A and Course B during this year.
COURSE A. A Call to Justice, Peace and Compassion
This is a semester course that will explore justice, peace and compassion as a process based on the values of human dignity, global community and peace-making intrinsic to the gospel of Jesus Christ, whereby we seek to grow in social responsibility and learn to effect systemic change in the transformation of the world.
COURSE B. Loss, Grief and Healing
This is a semester course that places emphasis on the healing ministry of Jesus, which calls upon us as followers of the Gospel to reach out and comfort those who suffer and grieve. Students reflect on the many losses individuals experience, and examine the process of grieving as it leads to healing and wholeness. While death is a major topic, the emphasis is on living life to the fullest context of compassion and sensitivity.
SENIOR LEVEL COURSES
"The Christian As Seeker" - - The Senior Courses are designed to enable the student to gain a deeper understanding of herself as a Christian woman in a pluralistic society.
There are five areas of study for the Senior year. Each course runs for a semester and is paired with a second course to provide the Senior Year requirement.
Students take Course A and Course B for 840, 841, and 843.
840 SR Religious Studies
Course A. Women and the Christian Tradition
This is a semester course that is planned to help the students discover the wealth of women’s contributions to the life of the church throughout history. The first part of the course centers on Jesus in the New Testament, the role of women in the early church, saints and mystics. The second part of the course centers on how women have impacted the church in the modern world. The history of women in the Catholic Church is a beautiful piece of our Catholic faith story and is a story that needs to be heard.
and
Course B. Prayer and Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition
This is a semester course that seeks to engage students in the two thousand year history of Christian Prayer and Spirituality with its myriad forms, expressions and theology. The student will reflect on what it means to be human and her relationship to self, God and others. A varied approach includes prayer experiences, reflection papers, and study of spirituality beginning with the Desert Mothers and Fathers. Students will reflect on Catholic writings in philosophy, literature and spirituality and receive a copy of the Catholic Youth Prayerbook for class use.
843 SR Religious Studies
Course A. World Religions
This is a semester course that will explore - If one-third of the world’s people call themselves "Christians" how might we describe the religious background of the remaining two-thirds? This course surveys the major religious themes and practices that lie outside the Judeo-Christian tradition, with special emphasis given to the religions of the Middle East and Orient, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. It also examines the phenomena of destructive religious cults that often prey on teenagers and adults.
Course B. Bible Themes
This is a semester course that will explore - Have you ever wondered why men and women throughout the ages have turned to the Bible for help in living meaningful lives? Are you aware that many of the stories of the Bible can offer you insights into your own life’s journey and dreams? These and many other questions will be explored through the Hebrew and Christian Testaments.
841 SR Religious Studies Honors Course
Course A. Christology Honors
This is a semester honors course which requires an in depth study of the curriculum taught in 842-Christology and 843-Bible Themes.
PREREQUISITE: a. 90% average for Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior Religion grades
b. Departmental Approval Students with 90% average, Departmental Approval and 1000 on the SAT Examination may apply for College credit through St. John’s University. A major paper is required.
Course B. Bible Themes Honors
This is a semester honors course that will explore questions: Have you ever wondered why men and women throughout the ages have turned to the Bible for help in living meaningful lives? Are you aware that many of the stories of the Bible can offer you insights into your own life’s journey and dreams? These and many other questions will be explored through the Hebrew and Christian Testaments.
Please note: Every effort will be made to place students in the course of their choice. When this is not possible, students will be placed in another course.