Theology

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Theology Department of Marquette Catholic High School seeks to develop knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Christian faith within our students. This will be done in the light of our Catholic tradition. Within our classrooms, we will teach a fundamental body of religious knowledge, an understanding of the role of the Church, an acceptance of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the vision of the Kingdom of God.

In order to reach these goals and objectives, the Theology Department staff will:

provide classroom instruction that includes the history of the Catholic Church, its Scriptures, worship, and Sacraments, its Doctrine and moral teaching, and the Church’s mission to the world
encourage students to develop skills in analysis, synthesis, and other critical thinking in their religious studies; enabling them to integrate religious knowledge into a holistic Christian world-view
Model an acceptance of Jesus Christ and encourage an active response to His call to serve others as it was set forth in the Ursuline tradition of Marquette
help students to become loving, critical members of the Church who search for Christ-like responses to the moral challenges and social justice issues they will face in today’s modern world
challenge students to become hope-filled individuals who seek the Kingdom of God.

Requirement: Student must complete a four-year sequence of courses set within the Theology Department Curriculum.

THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT CURRICULUM

THEOLOGY I

Introduction to Catholicism: This course introduces students to the Blessed Trinity in and through the fullness of God’s revelation of Himself: Jesus Christ. They will study the Incarnation, the union of Christ’s two natures, Jesus as the exemplar of humanity, as well as the unique role of Mary, the mother of God. This course prepares students to overcome the challenges of Faith, and leads them to a more profound understanding of what it means to believe.

(sophiainstitute.com) (One semester–0.5 credits)

Who is Jesus Christ?: In this course, students will enter into the Paschal Mystery of Christ - His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension - and learn about how it is the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption made to us after the Fall. They will also learn how the Church calls us to participate in the Paschal Mystery in our own lives. (sophiainstitute.com) (One semester–0.5 credits)

THEOLOGY II

The Mystery of Redemption: This course examines Original Sin; the meaning of redemption; and how the salvific promise made to our first parents is fulfilled in the life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. This course explains how the Church continues the redemptive mission of Christ in the world today and how his redemption is applied to our own lives. The text also looks at how we are called to be formed in the image of Christ, who is the exemplar of Christian life, and to cooperate with God’s grace in every instance of our lives. (www.theologicalforum.org) (One semester–0.5 credits each)

Church and Sacraments: The Church, established by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, continues the salvific ministry of Christ in the world today; thus, the Church is both the Sacrament of Communion and the Sacrament of Salvation. This course presents the mission of the Church; her infallible teaching authority; the Sacraments as the primary means of transmitting God’s grace; the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church; the universal call to holiness; and the four marks of the Church.

(www.theologicalforum.org) (One semester–0.5 credits)

THEOLOGY III

Morality: A well-formed conscience is essential to make moral decisions. This course aids the formation of our consciences by presenting an overview of the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Following the Ten Commandments as elevated and perfect by Jesus Christ and the Beatitudes, it shows how we, aided by God’s grace, can imitate the life of Christ in every circumstance in our lives.

(www.theologicalforum.org) (One semester–0.5 credits)

Church History: This course begins with the story of God’s definitive intervention into human history in the Person of his Son and continues through his Church to the present day. In his plan of salvation, God sent the Holy Spirit to act through members of the Church to further his salvific mission to the whole world. This course examines the lives of the saints and how they—by cooperating with God’s grace in response to their divine vocations—helped to shape the life of the Church as well as Christian society and culture.

(www.theologicalforum.org) (One semester–0.5 credits)

THEOLOGY IV

Discipleship: In this course, students will discuss topics which every Christian must face in order to be an intentional disciple of Jesus, the Son of God. The students are expected to have a basic understanding of the Catholic faith and will pull from this knowledge to discuss this course’s topics. Students will have significant time for prayer and reflection as well as study Sacred Scripture, Church documents, and current Church events. (One semester–0.5 credits)

Catholic Social Doctrine: This course introduces students to the social teachings of the Catholic Church as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and in the church’s Magisterial documents from Rerum Novarum through Deus Caritas Est. Students will learn how Christ’s concern for others, especially the poor and need, is present today in the Church’s social doctrine and mission and how they can contribute to this mission in everyday life.

(www.theologicalforum.org) (One semester–0.5 credits)

World Religions: This course allows students to build on their understanding and experience of the Catholic Christian faith by studying different religious traditions. The text begins with a study of Judeo-Christian history, practice, and tradition before expanding to the study of other less familiar religions including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. The course moves on to uncover a variety of religious traditions that sprang from America's Protestant roots.