Religious Studies Department

Introduction to Catholic Christianity
Grade Level: 9    
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: None

This one semester course focuses on familiarizing students from diverse religious backgrounds with the language, traditions, and practices of Catholic Christianity. The intent of the course is to invite faith formation and prepare students for success in Religious Studies courses by developing knowledge of key terms, critical thinking skills, and strategies of articulate expression through writing, art, and dialogue. We will investigate Lasallian identity, learn about liturgy and the liturgical year, and analyze as contextualists the stories in Genesis 1-11. 

Introduction to Sacred Scripture (Old Testament)
Grade Level: 9
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Introduction to Catholic Christianity

The purpose of this course is to give students a general knowledge and appreciation of the Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament). In the course, students learn about the Bible, authored by God through Inspiration, and its value to people throughout the world. Through the course we learn about the history of the Hebrew people and focus on analyzing the stories through a contextual lens. We will investigate Genesis (Patriarchs and Matriarchs), Exodus (Moses), the Judges and Kings, Exile and Messianic promise (The Prophets), and some of the Wisdom books.

Christology (The Study of Christ)
Grade Level: 10
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Introduction to Catholic Christianity and Introduction to Sacred Scripture

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. Students analyze the historical context of Jesus' birth, study God's Revelation through Jesus Christ, and connect how the events in Hebrew Scriptures impact our understanding of Christian Scriptures. The course identifies the images of Jesus, specific audience, and message of each gospel author. There is also a focus on how Salvation History leads to a deeper understanding of Jesus' birth and public ministry. In learning about who Jesus is, students will also learn who he calls them to be.

Paschal Mystery (The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ)
Grade Level: 10
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Christology

This course continues the study of Christ’s life, focusing on the mystery of his passion, death, and resurrection. Study includes essential topics such as the Eucharist, the birth of the Church at Pentecost and the continuing work of the Holy Spirit. There is also a focus on the religious truths and symbolism of events of Hebrew Scriptures and how they are incorporated by the gospel authors into our understanding of the Paschal Mystery. The course emphasizes the impact of God’s gift of grace, redemption, and salvation in the context of Jesus, his followers, and what that means today.

Catholic Moral Thinking
Grade Level: 11
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Christology and Paschal Mystery

Examines the foundations of Catholic morality. The moral life is known as "life in Christ" which is characterized by our loving one another as Jesus loved us. The course explores the development of character, the formation of conscience, and the study of virtuous living. Because life involves making difficult choices, the course challenges students to examine real-life situations through the lens of Catholic morality. Learning to evaluate complex moral dilemmas and acting according to one's conscience is essential for living in a right relationship with other people, one's self, the whole of Creation and God. This course challenges students to address two essential questions: Who am I? Who am I becoming? 

Catholic Social Teaching
Grade Level: 11
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Catholic Moral Thinking

The course examines the foundations of Catholic social teaching in Scripture and Tradition. The course aims to examine social issues in light of Catholic Social Teachings, with an exploration into subjects such as protecting human life at its beginning and its end, poverty and hunger, war and peacemaking, economic justice and environmental justice as well as oppression based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, age, sexual orientation, and other identifiers.. Students complete their junior service requirement with an emphasis on poverty and draw upon that experience to further their understanding of in class topics. 

World Religions
Grade Level: 12
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Catholic Moral Thinking and Catholic Social Teachings

This semester course explores cultural, spiritual, theological, and historical diversity among numerous religions and wisdom traditions of our world. In the spirit of the Catholic Church’s 1965 Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, the goals of this course include: learning about cultural, theological, and spiritual worldviews; appreciating diversity within and between various religions; and developing a personal view and understanding of how to live in a diverse world. Dual credit option of 4 CCC credits for R210 is available. This course is an elective and will meet one half of the Religious Studies requirement for 12th graders.  

Lasallian Ministry
Grade Level: 12
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Catholic Moral Thinking and Catholic Social Teachings

This course is designed to capstone students’ understanding of the five core values taught in Lasallian institutions. Students reflect on their faith, education, community, and dedication to service and social justice throughout their four years at La Salle. This course also gives them new insight on the values based on group work, activities, personal reflection, speakers from our larger community, and (most importantly) mentoring a neighborhood elementary student one day a week. Students need no experience with mentoring an elementary student, but must be open to the challenges to work with Lot Whitcomb, their staff, and their students on a personal level. This course is an elective and will meet one half of the religious studies requirement for 12th graders. 

Christian Lifestyles
Grade Level: 12
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Catholic Moral Thinking and Catholic Social Teachings

This course addresses Catholic Vocation by looking at essential elements for discerning a vocation in light of the Four States of Life (Priesthood, Marriage, Consecrated Life, and Single Life).  The elements include: prayer, work, rest, use of resources, and community.  Each element has a practical project to go along with it: from cooking for community to budgeting for use of resources. Each project implements a sacramental approach that values spirituality and material reality together. 

Honors Faith and Media (Blended Online Course)
Grade Level: 12
Credit: 0.5, Semester
Prerequisite: Catholic Moral Thinking and Catholic Social Teachings

The class will explore the presence of faith and the portrayal of Christianity (and in particular Catholicism) in a variety of media (novels, short stories, film, and music).  Students will analyze various media (watch multiple movies, listen to an album, and read a novel) to discern the presence of various theological themes and/or to evaluate the religious portrayal within such media. The primary assessments will be student podcasts. This is a Blended Online class. Open to Seniors only. Must have strong organizational and self-management skills. This course is elective and will meet one half of the religious studies requirement for 12th graders.