These are questions and key vocabulary are straight from the text used by othe junior morality teachers. Though we do not use this text, by the end of the course, my morality students should be able to answer all listed.
Many of these should any of our students already be able to answer at the end of sophomore year. I�ve put an asterisk by those I think they should have learned. Aren�t much of chapter four and six ideas learned in sophomore year? How redundant is this of key ideas our students should have learned in freshman and sophomore year?
Michael Pennock�s
Your Life in Christ: Foundations of Catholic Morality
The author begins with the story of the rich young man. I
Introduction: Living a Moral Life
1. Define the term morality. Explain the various elements of the definition.
2. List three sources of knowledge Catholic use to reach conclusions on how we should act.
5. Who is the magisterium?
8. In his dialogue with the rich young man on the good life, what does Jesus say is essential for gaining eternal life? *
9. What more does Jesus ask of the rich young man in Mark 10:17-27? *
10. Define character. Describe some qualities of a person with character.
11. Define virtue. How does it help us to live a moral life?
12. What are the theological virtues? * The cardinal virtues? *
13. Briefly describe what each cardinal virtue does.
Vocabulary: cardinal virtues, magisterium *, morality, theological virtues *, virtues.
Chapter One: The Gift of Being Human
2. Give an example of how a particular philosophy of life affects how a person would judge a moral issue.
7. Is creation good or evil? How do we know? *
10. What is the relationship between human reason and truth?
11. What is free will?
13. Give an example of a violation of the principle of subsidiarity.
14. Define the common good.
15. What is the virtue of solidarity? Why is it necessary for Christians?
16. What does it mean to say that humanity has inherited the effects of original sin? *
18. Discuss four rules for living an upright, moral and Christian life in light of God�s revelations of the human person.
Vocabulary: common good, dignity, free will, paschal mystery * (from freshman and sophomore year) , solidarity, subsidiarity.
Chapter Two: Making Moral Decisions
1. Define prudence.
3. What are the three sources, the constitutive elements, of moral acts?
4. Of the three sources of morality, name and explain the most important.
5. �The end does not justify the means.� What does this statement mean?
6. Why is it important to consider alternatives and consequences in proposed actions?
7. Describe the qualities a person who is a good source of moral wisdom should possess.
8. Define magisterium. *
9. State the Golden Rule. *
10. Define prayer. * How can it help us make moral decisions?
No vocabulary noted, but I�d suggest these words are key: object, intent, circumstance, discernment, prayer *
Chapter Three: Law as a Guide to Freedom
1. What is freedom?
3. What does it mean to say freedom makes us self-determining and self-making.
4. Distinguish between internal and external freedom,. and "freedom from" and "freedom for."
7. List and briefly discuss five obstacles to freedom.
8. For what actions are we responsible?
9. Define imputable.
10. What are the principle passions?
12. Define value. List the several values taught by Jesus.
13. List three general, positive norms.
15. Define natural law.
16. What does it mean to say the natural law is universal, permanent, and unchanging?
20. List two New Testament quotes that summarizes the law of Christ.
Vocabulary: determinism, freedom, law *, natural law.
Chapter Four: Jesus as Moral Guide
1. For what purpose did God create us? *(Wouldn�t Ignatius First Principle and Foundation be a good answer to this?)
2. What is the connection between Beatitudes and happiness? *
3. Why is Jesus the perfect norm for moral living? *
5. What is the core message proclaimed by the historical Jesus? *
6. To what does the Kingdom of God refer? *
7. What is the meaning of metanoia? * What is its connection to Jesus� essential message? *
8. How are we to love? List five attributes of Christian love.
9. How can the eucharist help Catholics to love? * (Again a sophomore question!)
10. Write the Beatitudes. Explain the meaning of any two of them? *(Why only two?)
11. �Jesus emphasizes the sprit versus the letter of the law.� Give several examples from the Sermon on the count to show the truth of this statement. *
12. According to Matthew 6, what three religious practices does Jesus require his followers? How should we perform them? *
14. What is the golden Rule? Give several examples of it in practice. *
15. What is the significance of of Jesus� invitation to us to call God �our Father�? (a fr/soph question?)
16. What is grace? * (Hopefully they learned this in fr/soph year)
21. What does it mean to live a �holy� life? *
Vocabulary: grace *, kingdom of God *, metanoia *
Chapter Five: Conscience Formation
1. List and discuss four wrong ideas of conscience. *
2. Note the definition of conscience as given in the Catechism
3. Explain conscience as awareness. *
4. Where in the decision making process does conscience come into play? *
5. Why is growth in virtue and the overcoming of vice important in moral decision-making? *
6. What are two key principles involving conscience?
7. What three moral rules must never be violated when making conscientious decisions?
8. List several factors that we must study before deciding to act.
9. What role can prayer play in making moral decisions?
10. Why is it important ot review our decisions?
11. Must a person always follow his or her conscience? Why or why not? *
12. List several factors that can lead to an erroneous conscience.
13. Discuss how we can guard against a wrong conscience. *
14. What is peer pressure? How can ti help us make conscientious decisions? *
15. Discuss several ways you can resist negative peer pressure. *
16. What is fortitude? How can it help us make conscientious decisions? *
17. How can you grow in the virtue of fortitude?
Vocabulary: conscience *, fortitude *
Missing and necessary question:
Describe the Study/Elect/Execute/Review method of conscience formation.
OR Know, understand and be able to apply one of the three methods of conscience formation Fr. Knapp describes: LISTEN, OPTION or Eight-Step. Be able to apply the one that appeals to you most to concrete instances.
Chapter Six: Sin and Forgiveness
3. Why do people sometimes deny the reality of sin?
4. What is the nature of the original is of Adam and Eve? *
5. What is the Old Testament�s essential message about sin? *
6. Explain the meaning of sin as: (1) missing the mark; (2) rebellion; and (3) iniquity.
7. List the three major consequences of sin. *
8. List three New Testament words that describe sin. According to the the New Testament, what is the most profound meaning of sin? *
11. What is the root of all sin? *
12. Define original sin. How does all personal sin resemble the �original sin� of our first parents? *
13. What is concupiscence? Give several realistic examples of concupiscence at work in the life of a teen.
15. What is the distinction between mortal and venial sin? *
17. Discuss three examples of sinful actions that involve �grave� matter. Explain why each involves serious matter.
18. What must be present for a person to be guilty of a mortal sin? *
20. Why should Christians be concerned about committing even venial sins? *
21. Explain the term �social sin.� Give an example of sinful social structures caused by the personal sins of individuals.
22. Explain the three different names for the sacrament of healing known as reconciliation, confession and penance.*
24. List and briefly discuss the five elements in the sacrament of reconciliation. *
Vocabulary: absolution *, concupiscence *, mortal sin *, contrition *, original sin *, personal sin*, reconciliation *, repentance *, venial sin *.
Suggested common questions for the first quarter exam
A) The first part of the course dealt with �what is morality� and why care about it. If someone and said to you "Why are you wasting time studying morality? No one should tell you what to do. What you do is your business, nobody else's." What would the course say to this? What would you say?
B) Can morality/ethics be taught in a classroom.? Do a two part essay: a theoretical part and a personal part. In the theoretical part summarize what this course has suggested. In the personal part, have you learned morality/ethics in this class?
Suggested common questions for the first quarter exam
A) Do an explanation of ONE of these key Catholic moral teachings.
� morality � conscience � sin
� Define the idea.
� List and define the different kinds of each.
� Explain the wisdom, the guidance, the Catechism offers about this'd; how can knowledge and awareness of this idea help a person live a better (in the sense of good and moral) life?
B) What should you try to take from your experience in this course about morality and moral reflection? What ideas are worth trying to hold on to? What kinds of thinking or behavior is worth trying to continue? Only do this one if you really think there are ideas to hold on to and behaviors worth continuing .
C) �The unexamined life is not worth living.� Write an essay explaining why this is true for everyone. Then recommend ideas and behaviors that are needed in living an �examined life.�
D) In this course we have suggested that a person�s morality has a lot to do with the way they perceive and judge and act in the world. Describe the differences between these moralities:
� a person who just does what they want to and what is personally advantageous.
� a rational morality
� a Christian morality
� a Catholic morality.
Be sure to make clear HOW they judge and what these judgments are based upon. Also use at least one concrete example to illustrate the difference, e.g. wealth or sexuality.