 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 7 Theology "An Overview of the Catholic Church" - The course tries to promote in all students both an intellectual understanding of faith and an appreciation of the spiritual and affective dimensions of faith. The course attempts to foster full, conscious and active participation in the church's liturgical and sacramental life, to stimulate ongoing conversion as evidenced in social action, to instill a spirit of prayer in all activities, to form genuine Christian community and to educate to a missionary dimension. Prerequisite: 7th Grade standing (10 credits).
Grade 8 Theology "The Church through History" - The course is an introductory course on Church history. It attempts to help students come to an appreciation of two concepts: History and Church. Students will learn and describe history as story rather than chronology. Students will learn how Christ has been and continues to be manifest through Christians in particular historical circumstances. Prerequisite: 8th Grade standing (10 credits).
MORAL GROWTH - In accord with the Catholic Church's teaching on the dignity of the human person, this course strives to investigate the manifold aspects of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God and on those beliefs, values, and behaviors taught in the Scriptures and Church Tradition concerning moral conduct in interpersonal relationships. The focus of the course is on the acquisition of virtues and the renunciation of vices as integral components of the development of Christian character. The virtues are studied in relation to their expression in God's character and the capacity of humans, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to acquire the same. Prerequisite: Freshman standing (5 credits).
OLD TESTAMENT - The course focuses on the revelation of God to the human race through the experiences and stories of the Jewish people as recorded in the Old Testament. Besides introducing fundamental concepts as divine revelation, the nature and development of the Old Testament, and the different types of truth found in the Bible, the course instructs students in a basic approach to reading and understanding Sacred Scripture before exploring the content of the Old Testament. A broad, yet sufficiently detailed, study of the Pentateuch, wisdom literature, and historical and prophetical writings up to the conquest of Judah and subsequent exile to Babylon ensues. Prerequisite: Freshman standing (5 credits).
NEW TESTAMENT - The course focuses on Jesus as revealed in the Christian Scriptures: healer, teacher, prophet, and Son of God. The New Testament is a collection of writings that provide inspired stories of who Jesus is, not only who he was. The course will especially focus on the gospels, and each class begins with a short bible study. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing (5 credits).
SACRAMENTS AND WORSHIP - The student will learn the importance of symbols and rituals in human communication and expression of meaning. He will be exposed to various theological currents including sacramentality, images of Church, and mysteries of Jesus Christ. He will become familiar with the historical background, symbols, and meanings of each of the seven sacraments. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing (5 credits).
SOCIAL JUSTICE - This course presents various viewpoints and the Catholic Church's stance on such issues as the arms race, the draft/registration, conscientious objection, nonviolence, nuclear war, racism, sexism, poverty, and other topics. Papal statements, the documents of Vatican II, the American Bishops' pastoral letters and other Church documents are studied. After discussion of the issues, each student is encouraged to work toward personal decisions in accordance with the beliefs of his conscience. Prerequisite: Junior standing (5 credits).
LIFE ISSUES - This course deals with modern social issues which involve areas where human life and the human body can be made objects of attack, often by those who claim to do so for humanitarian reasons. Respect for human life is the framework in which abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, genetic engineering, and medical ethics are studied. This course will also challenge students to define and develop a morality that will shape the type of person they want to become, and will help them to understand several issues addressed by the Catholic Church. Prerequisite: Junior standing (5 credits).
MARRIAGE - A study of the relational, psychological, physical, and spiritual aspects of sex, marriage, family life, single life, and vocations. The course is designed to help students grow in awareness of the varied responsibilities of dating, courtship, and the Sacrament of Marriage. Prerequisite: Senior standing (5 credits).
WORLD RELIGIONS - This course is a brief survey of the world's great living religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism). The origins of Religion are examined, and representative prehistoric and ancient religions are studied to provide the student with a sense of how modern religions evolved. Agnosticism and atheism as religious belief are also examined. Prerequisite: Senior standing (5 credits).
www.palmahs.org
