Freshman Year

 

First Semester:            Introduction to Catholic Christianity

 

This course is designed to introduce students to the Catholic faith. We examine the foundational beliefs of Christianity and the basic theology of Catholicism. Students will explore the Old Testament (Jewish) roots of Christianity as well as take a critical look at the Gospels with a focus on the life teachings of Jesus Christ.

 

Students will be able to:

 

1. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the Revelation of God as found in Creation, Sacred Scripture (Old/ New Testament) and Jesus Christ.
2. Explain how God reveals himself to us through the power of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives.
3. Understand and articulate salvation history as found in Scripture and expressed through the Old and New Covenant.
4. Understand Christian values as expressed in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and appreciate the importance of his call for believers.

 

Activities:

 

• Students will construct a power point presentation outlining the historical timeline of Israel from Joshua to the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Students will engage in scripture search projects to help them appreciate sacred scripture and discuss its impact on believers.
• Students are required to do an oral presentation for one of the parables.
• Students are expected to demonstrate a general understanding of Scripture through classroom discussion.

 

 

Freshman Year

 

Second Semester:       Church History

 

This course will explore the many historical facets of the Catholic Church beginning with first century Christianity continuing up to the modern Catholic Church.

 

Students will be able to:

 

1. Identify the key events in the history of early Christianity that spawned the creation of the Catholic Church.
2. Articulate how the Catholic Church has adapted to the historical and cultural circumstances in which it found itself through the ages.
3. Trace the impact of how Jesus Christ has been present to and through people in the Church throughout her two thousand year history.
4. Understand and appreciate how certain key individuals had a formative impact on the unfolding and continuing story of the Church.

 

Activities:

 

• Students will construct a research paper focusing on a formative event or person which directly impacted the path of the Catholic Church.
• Engage in classroom discussion about the historical significance of key events and individuals who influenced the direction of the Church.
• Study the ebb and flow of Church History and examine the life and writings of many of the leading thinkers in the Church.
• Students will research and discuss issues facing the modern Catholic Church.