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Guerin College Preparatory High School

CHRISTIAN FAITH, MORALITY AND JUSTICE-Honors

 

 

Course Description: This course will examine the central themes of the Catholic faith as well as emphasize the challenge and importance of these themes and Christian moral decision-making.  Students will then trace the development of the concept of justice throughout scripture and Catholic social teaching, and they will study concrete issues such as racism, poverty and violence.  Students will be called to examine their spiritual and moral life, as well as explore ways in which they might make this a more just world, particularly by their involvement in a service learning project.

 

Prerequisites: By placement of the department

 

Required materials: Textbooks:

                        Pennock, Micheal- Our Catholic Faith.  Notre Dame, Indiana:  Ave Maria Press,                            2006

                        Stoutenberger, Joseph.  Justice and Peace.  Florida: Harcort, 2004.

Course Outcomes:

The student will be able to:

  1. Name and define the parts of the Creed and the Roman Catholic Church and explain reasons behind his/her belief in it.
  2. Analyze his/her faith and apply the cradle faith to his/her own life.
  3. Make his/her own judgments based on the standards of his/her faith.
  4. Analyze moral issues based on the evidence and apply moral principles to solve personal ethical problems.
  5. Recognize him/herself as a moral person and fulfill his/her obligations to God, him/herself, others and the environment.
  6. Explain the development of the concept of justice through Scripture and history.
  7. Describe issues of social justice, such as sexism, racism and poverty.
  8. Hypothesize ways in which s/he might foster a more just society.

Course Outline:  Semester One

1.      We Believe : The Apostles Creed

A.  The Question of love and “living it Out.”

B.   Our Loving God: Father and Creator

C.  Jesus Christ: lord and Savoir

D.  The Holy Spirit and Blessed Trinity

E.   The Church: The Body of Christ

            F.   Communion of Saints: Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal life

2.      We Hope: Celebrating the Christian Mystery

A.  The Sacraments of Initiation

B.   The Sacraments of Healing and Ministry

3.  We Love: Our Life in Christ

C.  The Basics of Catholic Morality

D.  Christian Moral Life: The Beatitudes and Ten Commandments

E.   Prayer

 

Course Outline:  Semester Two

1.      God’s Love as the Foundation of Justice

a.       God’s Love for Humanity

b.      The Exodus and Liberation

c.       The Prophets

d.      Jesus Christ

2.      The Church: Called to Work for Justice

a.       The Spirit Among Us

b.      The Church Through the Ages

c.       The Modern Era

3.      A Just World: The Catholic Vision