August 12, 2005
CURRICULA IN THEOLOGY
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
FRESHMAN
Understanding Catholic Christianity
Within this 1st semester’s survey of Catholic Christianity there is an introductory section devoted to changes in the personal development of adolescents. Faith, belief, and religion are important aspects of meeting the challenges of life. There is also within this survey a study of the life of St. Ignatius Loyola and of the Jesuit tradition of education and spirituality. Text used: Understanding Catholic Christianity, by Thomas Zanzig
Introduction to the Old Testament
This 2nd semester course surveys the Old Testament. it emphasizes the origins, development, context, and main theological themes of God’s revelation to the Hebrews. Teaching emphasizes the stories and major figures in the salvation history of the Jews. Texts used (depends upon the teacher): Journey Through the Old Testament, compiled by Harcourt Religion Publishers; Written on Our Hearts, by Mary Reed Newland; and Hebrew Scriptures, by Carla Fritsch, James Hogan, and Roberta Ann Leskey; and New American Bible
SOPHOMORE
Introduction to the New Testament
This 1st semester survey of the New Testament familiarizes the student with the content, styles, and teachings of these Scriptures and with the Catholic Church’s approach to it. Presented is the life of Jesus in all 4 Gospels, how He preached the good news to His disciples, and how the Church has handed on this preaching down to the present day. Texts used: Journey Through the New Testament, by Teresa LeCompte; and New American Bible
The Sacraments
This first part of the 2nd semester surveys the history, ceremonies, and tradition surrounding the 7 ritual sacraments. Students explore the meaning, purpose, and ritual practice of the sacraments in their own lives and in the life of the Church.
Text used: Our Sacramental Life: Living and Worshipping in Christ, by Patricia Driedger
Sexuality and Dating
This second part of the 2nd semester offers students, individually and collectively, a healthful understanding of human sexuality as it relates to the building of interpersonal relationships. It orients them to the challenging perspective of the Catholic tradition in regards to their being creatures of God, and to positive attitudes towards Catholic moral principles. Text used: Chastity, by Heather Gallagher and Peter Vlahutin.
JUNIOR
Faith
This 1st semester course seeks to challenge the student to clarify his own “state of faith” and his personal stance towards religion as we explore the relationship between faith and reason, faith and religion, and faith and culture. Text used: book of readings assembled by SLUH Theology faculty
Morality
This course teaches moral principles within the context of Justice and Peace. It introduces the student to moral philosophy and helps him develop a process of critical thinking and moral reasoning in light of the Catholic faith and moral reasoning. The first part of the course discusses moral dilemmas as an unavoidable aspect of life and suggests that there is a natural morality with man (Aristotle). One or more approaches (e.g. Buddha’s approach to morality) are discussed. Finally, the moral implications of the life and teachings of Jesus are examined. The second part of the course examines contemporary and concrete applications of Catholic morality, including life issues and the U.S. Bishops’ pastoral “Economic Justice for All.” Text used: Morality: An Invitation to Christian Living, by Joseph Stoutzenberger
SENIOR
Christian Life Choices
This 1st semester course is concerned with the choices students face in the present, in the immediate future, and throughout adult life. Students look seriously and critically at decisions already made and soon-to-be made. Foundational issues include: the nature of human life and freedom; the relevance of the humanity and divinity of Christ; an Incarnational view of the world; and a Catholic view of sexuality and the body. Specific topics include: dating and the building of relationships; marriage, ministry, and priesthood; preparing for college; choosing a career. Text used: book of readings assembled by SLUH Theology faculty
Electives:
Religious Experience
This 2nd semester course emphasizes religious life, not from the perspective of belief or doctrine, but from the experiential components: myth and story, ritual, imagination, visual art, music, and movement. Prayer is studied and experienced. Also explored are the subjective or “mystical” religious experiences reported by people in the past and the present. These are often called “peak” or “core religious” experiences by some authors. Other religious experiences also discussed will include: Native American, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Students must be open to reflecting on their own religious experience and listening to the experience of others. Text used: book of readings assembled by teacher
The Beatitudes and the Modern World
This 2nd semester course studies the primary attitudes of Jesus as expressed in the Sermon on the Mount. They are indispensable guidelines for the modern Christian as he attempts to help establish the Kingdom of God in the world today. Each of the nine Beatitudes will be studied in depth with an eye towards understanding its importance in our contemporary world. Various essays, articles, poems, and films connected with the Beatitudes will be examined for a fuller understanding. Guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences. Every two weeks the class will celebrate a Mass on the theme of the particular Beatitude just studied. Text used: The Ladder of the Beatitudes, by Jim Forest
Catholic Social Teachings
This 2nd semester course will explore principles of Catholic social teachings such as the preferential option for the poor, the dignity of the worker, and solidarity. Current issues such as war, poverty, violence, and corporate scandals will be analyzed. Text used: Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way, by Walter Wink
Humanities: The Search for God and Meaning Across the Disciplines
This 2nd semester course uses individual works of visual art, architecture, and music from a wide variety of social, cultural, and historical contexts to inform and enhance exploration of specific topics. There will also be work within the disciplines of mathematics, science, history, and literature. A traditional Humanities course usually includes a review of some of the seminal philosophical texts which under gird western government, ethics, and spiritual traditions. This course will cover some of these great philosophical “questions” and, since it will be listed as a theology course, each of the selected topics will have an explicitly philosophical or spiritual focus, with a key emphasis on the Christian and Catholic traditions. This course will be tea- taught by members of the Theology and the Fine Arts Departments. There will be extensive use of audiovisual media and a Smart board. Texts used: Book of Readings, compiled by the teacher; The Creative Impulse, by Sporre
World Religions
This 2nd semester course is a survey of the major religions of the world in relation to Catholic Christianity -- Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhism. Texts used: Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse; The World’s Religions, by Huston Smith; and a book of readings assembled by the teacher.