Theology

List of 10 items.

• Theology 9: Sacred Scripture - Old Testament

  The Old Testament is a one-semester course that provides the student with a basic understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures and the first part of the Bible. The course brings the student into a mindful dialogue with the Old Testament as it recorded and impacted the history and faith of the ancient Israelite people along with the early Christians. The course begins with exploring the individual student's background and religious foundations as his or her personal sacred story and continues to connect the  Judeo-Christian sacred story with the individual student’s story. Students will take a deeper look at the historical, literary,  archaeological, geographical, and theological concepts presented in Scripture. The expected learning results are that the student builds a strong understanding of the theological stories and concepts presented in the Old Testament, begins or continues the process of growth as a faith-filled person, and begins to envision a life of service within the community working toward justice.  Students of all faiths and philosophical worldviews are welcome in this course and are encouraged to share openly and respectfully about their experiences, traditions, and beliefs. All students, regardless of background, will benefit from an increased appreciation for the Christian tradition, as well as a deeper introspection to the fundamental call to a relationship with God.

  
  Prerequisites/Comments - This is a required first-semester course for all freshmen.

• Theology 9: Sacred Scripture - New Testament

  The New Testament is a one-semester course that provides the student with a basic understanding of the Gospels and the life of  Jesus of Nazareth. Emphasis is placed on the theological concepts of the Incarnation, the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ, and  Paschal Mystery which are examples of God’s fulfilling and perfect love. Another purpose of this course is to introduce students to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, and the Second Person of the Holy Trinity along with how He has impacted our world. Student faith formation is emphasized by examining Jesus’s invitation toward actively building God’s kingdom through a commitment of love and justice. The expected learning results are that the student masters the teachings and theological concepts presented in the Gospels, begins or continues the process of growth as a faith-filled person, and becomes increasingly committed to a life of service within the community working toward justice. Students of all faiths and philosophical worldviews are welcome in this course and are encouraged to share openly and respectfully about their experiences, traditions,  and beliefs. All students, regardless of background, will benefit from an increased appreciation for the Christian tradition, as well as a deeper introspection to the fundamental call of a relationship with God. 

  
  Prerequisites/Comments - This is a required second-semester course for freshmen.

• Theology 10: The Mission of Jesus Christ

  The purpose of this course is to help students understand all that God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Through this course of study, students will learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with Him, which is accomplished through the redemption Christ won for us. Students will learn that they share in this redemption only in and through Jesus Christ. They will also be introduced to what it means to be a disciple of Christ and what life as a disciple entails. 

  
  Prerequisites/Comments - This is a required course for sophomores.

• Theology 10: Ethics and Morality

  Students analyze the stages of moral development and reflect upon the development of conscience by examining personal and social moral actions and decision-making. The basis for the course is the Christian belief that the natural law guides human beings toward the good, and that Jesus reveals how we should live and is the model of the Christian moral life. Expected learning results are that students will develop self-examination skills, background knowledge of both moral theory and its application that will enhance their ability to grow in virtue and do the good. Students of all faiths and philosophical worldviews are welcome in this course and are encouraged to share openly and respectfully about their experiences, traditions, and beliefs. 

  
  Prerequisites/Comments - This is a required course for sophomores. (UC "g" Elective)

• Theology 11: Social Justice

  Students apply the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ and His Church to the policies, structures, and institutions of our modern world. Under the direction of biblical teachings and the Church’s Social Teaching, students learn to recognize injustices, examine the causes, and actively participate in addressing issues through service-learning. Catholic Social Teaching encourages students to develop a vision of the world that unites all people under the core truth of inherent human dignity and motivates students to create a loving change in our world. The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church will also be examined so students may see how the Church’s social teachings are the application of the sacraments. 

  
  Prerequisites/Comments -This is a required course for juniors. (UC “g” Elective) 

• Theology 11: Church History

  Students will have a general knowledge of the Church’s history from apostolic times to the present. Students will learn about the Church’s 2000 years of history and about how the Church is led and governed by the successors of the Apostles. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by him throughout history through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today and, as such, has both Divine and human elements. 
  
  Prerequisites/Comments -This is a required course for juniors.  (UC “g” Elective)

• World Religions

  This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamental components of various major world religions. It will specifically explore Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Students will be challenged to learn the foundations of each religion as well as explore what each religion looks like today, as lived in different parts of the world including Southern California. 

  
  Prerequisites/Comments - This is one of three one-semester classes offered to seniors unless in Christian Leadership. Students may also take it as a third Theology elective course. (UC “g” Elective)

• Christian Lifestyles

  This course teaches students to apply Christian values to the challenges of the modern world. The students study and examine the role of personal growth, human relationships and love relationships as a means to a mature lifestyle. This course focuses on developing the whole person as well as teaching students to live their lives fully alive in the ways that God has called all to live. 

  
  Prerequisites/Comments - This is one of three one-semester classes offered to seniors unless enrolled in Christian Leadership. Students may also take it as a third Theology elective course.

• Philosophy (Honors)

  This seminar-style course will introduce students to the development of Western Philosophy. Students will learn about thinkers who changed the world in which we live today, and this knowledge will deepen the students’ understanding of previously or concurrently explored topics, such as Hellenism, the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, Romanticism, the Enlightenment,  the law, and social responsibility, ethics, happiness, the human soul, the existence of God, and the nature of reality. The students will refine their ability to read a text critically and learn effective methods of inquiry, analysis of arguments, formal logic, syllogisms,  and fallacies. The purpose of this class is to prepare students to analyze authors’ which the secular world may not refer to as religious, but when delving into their writings and beliefs, students will be directed in the understanding that they are. The lessons taught in this course will be in line with the framework from the USCCB in an imperative way. Knowing Jesus, understanding morality and our role as a Church within the context of a seminar,  novel, articles, and current events will allow our students to grow in their faith and live out the mission of the Church. 

   

  Prerequisites/Comments - Students must earn a B in Religion and English for the first and second semesters. This is one of three 1-semester classes offered to seniors unless enrolled in the Christian Leadership course. (UC “g” Honors Elective)

• Holy Cross Leadership

  This course is a combination of two of the three courses that comprise the existing senior religion curriculum: Christian Lifestyles and World Religions. In addition, the course will explore and practice leadership in our school community and in the larger community. These leadership areas will include peer ministry, liturgy planning and implementation, retreat and being an overall example and guide for spirituality within the Notre Dame community work. 

   

  Prerequisites/Comments - Entrance into this course is contingent upon an application and interview process. Students wishing to sign up for this course will have to attend a summer retreat to address the following areas: 1) Eucharistic Ministry training, 2) Retreat leadership, 3) Planning the opening school liturgy, and 4) Brainstorming ideas and goal-planning for the year. Students also must participate in the earliest KAIROS that their schedule will allow. (UC “g” Elective for World Religions Semester)