Theology

Ninth Grade	Tenth Grade	Eleventh Grade	Twelfth Grade
Required	Required	Required	Required
Trimester I:	Trimester I:	Trimester I:	Choose:
Jesus and the Christian Community	The Church & the Paschal Mystery	Church History	Campus Ministry (year-long course)
Trimester II:	Trimester II:	Trimester II:	Or:
Bible I	Sacraments	Catholic Social Action	Trimester I:  Moral Philosophy
Trimester III:	Trimester III:	Trimester III:	Trimester II:
Bible II	Morality	Prayer and Spirituality	Comparative Religions
Introduction to Christianity*	Introduction to Christianity*	Introduction to Christianity*	Trimester III: Senior Theology Seminar
			Introduction to Christianity*

*New International Students Only: Year-long course 

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Department Philosophy

The Theology Department of the Academy of Holy Angels seeks to develop a model of religious education, service learning, and faith formation. With a balance of cognitive and affective learning, we invite students at their appropriate developmental level to an awareness of their Church heritage, the Gospel call to personal holiness, and the challenge of transforming the world into the Kingdom of Justice and Peace.

The theology curriculum follows the high school curriculum framework established by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The textbooks used are approved as conforming to the framework and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

As a result, we hope to impart the following:

1. Knowledge, experience and an appreciation of liturgy and the sacraments.
2. Prayer and spirituality, as integral to faith formation, which are intentionally included in each theology course.
3. Understanding of and commitment to love of God and neighbor in justice and service.
4. Knowledge and love of scripture.
5. Understanding of doctrine and commitment to morality.
6. Development of critical thinking, communication and service skills.
7. An appreciation for the history and heritage of faith, service, and action established by the Sisters of St. Joseph as the founders of this school.
8. A commitment to practice the values learned in theology courses throughout daily school activities as well as in extra-curriculars through the Faith in Action program.
9. Realization of the mission of the Church, the school, and a deepening sense of membership in the Body of Christ. 

The STARS Service Requirement description can be found in Special Academic Programs.

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Jesus and the Christian Community

1 credit

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisites: None

This course will immerse the students in Catholic spirituality through examination of the charisms of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Holy Angels traditions. Students will explore how to live Christian community as a student body through community-building activities and  prayer, along with the CMT mentor program and volunteer service experiences. This course leads the students toward a deeper understanding of Divine Revelation, the Trinity, the Incarnation, salvation, Jesus' life and ministry, and discipleship through academic exploration and prayer experiences.

Faith

• Students will demonstrate their understanding of their own identity and basic goodness as part of building a community in relationship with one another and God.
• Students will recognize the identifying characteristics of the AHA community as founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of Revelation, the Trinity, the Creed, as well as the life and ministry of Jesus.

Prayer

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of faith and discipleship as a response to the life and love of Jesus, particularly through prayer experience.

Service

• Students will connect the lives of the Catholic Saints and the students' call to Christian service.

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Bible I

1 credit

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisites: None

This course leads the students toward a deeper understanding of the Bible and the history of our salvation and Jesus as the fulfillment of the Israelites’ covenant relationship with God. The students navigate the Bible and use basic exegetical skills while examining the relationship between revelation and inspiration. Throughout the trimester, students will use scripture as the basis for daily prayer and apply principles of Christian discipleship through service.

Faith

• Students will examine how to understand and interpret the scripture through a survey of biblical concepts.
• Students will examine salvation history and revelation in the context of Genesis, Exodus, the historical books, the prophetic books, and the wisdom literature.

Prayer

• Students will articulate and reflect on the Catholic approach to understanding the meaning of the scriptures for our lives, through scripturally based prayer experiences.

Service

• Students will reflect on their service experiences in light of the Old Testament themes of creation and prophetic witness.

 

Bible II

1 credit

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisites: None

Building upon coursework in Bible I, this course leads the students toward a deeper understanding of the Bible, the history of our salvation, and Jesus as the fulfillment of the Israelites’ covenant relationship with God. The students navigate the Bible and use basic exegetical skills while examining the relationship between revelation and inspiration. Throughout the trimester, students will use the scriptures as the basis for daily prayer and apply principles of Christian discipleship through service.

Faith

• Students will articulate the Catholic approach to understanding revelation and salvation history in the context of the New Testament.
• Students will interpret the New Testament through a survey of biblical concepts.

Prayer

• Students will use the scriptures as the basis for daily prayer and reflection.

Service

• Students will use the scriptures to understand and reflect on their call to Christian discipleship through acts of service.

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Church and the Paschal Mystery

1 credit

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisites: None

This course explores God’s plan for salvation through the ongoing mission of the Church. Students will explore how, through his suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus makes our redemption possible. The course also addresses how we continually experience the Paschal Mystery in our lives by encountering Jesus in the Church. Students prayerfully reflect on Jesus’ invitation to participate in and contribute to the life of the Church. Students complete service requirements in connection with learner outcomes of the course.

 Faith

• Students will develop an understanding of the human need for redemption especially through an exploration of how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption.
• Students will explore the central Catholic teachings of the Paschal Mystery and how we continually experience it in our lives.
• Students will identify the Church as a unique reality in which we meet God and explore the Church as instituted by the Holy Trinity.
• Students will explore the Church as mystery and as one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

 Service

 • Students will participate in applying the mission of the Church to today’s world through their own call and response to discipleship.

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Sacraments

1 credit

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisites: None

This course leads the students toward understanding the liturgy and the Sacraments, instituted by Christ and given to us through the Church. The Sacraments are first introduced as signs and encounters with Christ in our lives followed by a presentation of the Sacraments through an exploration of symbols and rituals. The Sacraments are then considered in their appropriate groupings: the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, the Sacraments of Healing, and the Sacraments of Service. Throughout the course, the importance of the Sacraments as encounters with Christ, and a strengthening of our relationship with God, is emphasized. This relationship in turn, sends us out to share the love of Christ with others, especially those in need. Students complete service hours towards yearly service requirements in connection with learner outcomes of the course.

Faith 

• Students will understand how the Sacraments are visible signs of God’s redemptive love and why we need the Sacraments.

Prayer

• Students will identify how the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and the Church’s liturgy give meaning and direction to our lives by participating in the Paschal Mystery.
• Students will assess how the Sacraments of Healing are a source of ongoing conversion and healing for the individual and for the well-being of the entire community.
• Students will plan, prepare, and lead a sacramental prayer experience (prayer).

Service

•  Students will analyze the Sacraments of Service as gateways into lives of public witness and service.

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Morality

1 credit

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisite: None

This course leads students to a deeper understanding of the moral laws of the Hebrew Testament, the Gospels, and teachings of the Church as applied to contemporary moral questions. The moral laws call us to go beyond keeping moral minimums and to love God, neighbor, and self with our whole being. Students will study Scripture and Catholic teachings to gain appreciation for modesty, chastity, integrity, fidelity, and dignity. Christian morality is about responding to God's love by living in full communion with God and others as empowered by God's grace. Included are practices to build virtue and character as well as seeking forgiveness and reconciliation to aid us in the moral life. Students complete service hours towards yearly service requirements in connection with learner outcomes of the course.

Faith

• Students will analyze the Ten Commandments, the Cardinal and Theological Virtues as a framework for a Christian moral life.

• Students will analyze the sacredness of human life in the context of Scripture and Tradition.

• Students will analyze the foundational concepts of Christian morality and the key ideas, definitions, and consequences of sin.

Prayer

• Students will develop conscience formation through prayer.

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Church History

1 credit

Grade Level: 11

Prerequisites: None

This course is intended to help students understand the Church in the world throughout time. The class will explore the major eras of the Church and major figures representative of each era. The course will explore Vatican II and its relation to the Church in our world today.  

Faith

• Students will name major shifts in the Church structure and thinking.
• Students will be able to name and identify major figures and how they are a model for their era. 

Service

• Students will analyze the Church today in light of the historical Church and name key figures reflective of today’s era.

 Prayer

• Students will name and identify major figures in our Church history and use examples in class prayers.

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Catholic Social Action

1 credit

Grade Level: 11

Prerequisites: None

The course examines the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching based on Jesus’ vision of nonviolence and its practical application to the modern world. Students will examine principles for challenging injustices, concepts of power and powerlessness and our scriptural call to bringing about justice through peaceful means. The course will be taught using a variety of learning activities including small-group projects and presentations, lecture, reading, discussion, videos, and experiential learning.

Faith

• Students will be able to articulate the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching and understand how they are rooted in Jesus’ vision of justice.
• Students will be able to identify imbalances of power and articulate how these can support unjust institutions and situations.
• Students will analyze the various forms and sources of violence, both physical and psychological, and reflect upon peaceful solutions.

Service

• Students will analyze current local, national, and global problems through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching and apply non-violent practices to bring about change.
• Students will understand and articulate our Christian faith’s mandate to embrace both our personal and social responsibilities to bring about justice for all people.

 

 

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Prayer and Spirituality

1 credit

Grade Level: 11

Prerequisites: None

 In this course students will examine the tradition of Christian Spirituality through a variety of prayer experiences.  The course is taught using various activities including small and large group discussions, journal reflections, meditation, prayer services, guest speakers, lectures, reading, research, scriptural reflection, and videos. The foundations for prayer and the structures for individual and communal prayer are explored through scripture, texts, and the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church.

Prayer

• Students will explore the human longing for God and how it leads them to God through various forms of revelation.
• Students will appraise the person of Jesus Christ and how a relationship with him serves as the source and summit of all Christian spirituality.
• Students will examine the ecclesial and communal nature of Christian prayer and tradition.  
• Students will explore the spirituality of each of the four vocational paths. 

Faith

• Students will identify and experience various forms and expressions of prayer and spirituality and reflect on those that support their spiritual journey.

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Moral Philosophy

1 credit

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisites: None

Moral Philosophy is a course for seniors that explores both ancient and modern moral philosophies. The course focuses on different ethical frameworks and their application through case studies. Students will learn about the moral philosophical systems of Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Catholicism. Students will study conscience formation. The course is discussion intensive with an emphasis on practical application. 

Faith

• Students will identify and assess how Christian/Catholic ethics relies on conscience, tradition, and Scripture when addressing moral issues.

Service

• Students will come to know and employ different ethical systems and apply these ethical systems to moral experiences
• Students will learn and articulate ethical stances using evidence and various ethical systems to support written and verbal claims.

Prayer

• Students will be able to reflect through prayer to inform their conscience and guide moral decision making.

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Comparative Religions

1 credit

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisites: None

This course examines various religions and religious beliefs in our world today, in light of Catholic Church teaching on interreligious dialogue. This course gives students a perspective about religions in the world other than Christianity. Major world religions will be presented. The purpose of the course is to help students acquire a working knowledge and respect for other organized religious communities with which they may have contact.

Faith

• Students will understand seven particular dimensions many religions share.
• Students will study other religions to better understand the Christian tradition.
• Students will compare and contrast the core beliefs of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, with the Christian tradition.
• Students will gain further respect and understanding for people from different religious traditions and practices.
• Students will analyze and discuss activities of each of these religions in contemporary events.  

 

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Senior Theology Seminar

1 credit

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisites: None

Senior Theology Seminar is a summative course with these elements: vocational awareness, a Strengths Finder assessment, and leadership skills. This course provides a broad spectrum of information and experiences to empower students through public speaking, guest speakers and informational interviews. Students will present their synthesis project which reflects on their high school experience.

Faith

• Student will be able to articulate habits of Christian leaders, and students will identify what it means to be a Christian in the workplace.
• Students will articulate and synthesize their experience in these five areas: academic, faith & values, social, co-curricular, and service.
• Student will demonstrate professional skills: presentations, interviews, phone conversations, collaborative projects, self-presentation, cover letters, resumes, and dining etiquette

Service

• Students will carry out a series of informational interviews.

 

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Campus Ministry

3 credits

Grade Level: 12

This class satisfies the senior year theology requirement

Prerequisites: 

• Have B average in all AHA Theology Classes.
• Have received a Blue or Gold service award in freshman or sophomore year. (For transfer students only: the number of hours equivalent (20) by January 1st of junior year).
• Must be in good standing, that is, no infractions or violations so far in your junior year and throughout the remainder of the year including the summer between junior and senior year.  Students who are admitted to CMT and receive an infraction or violation will lose their position on the Campus Ministry Team.
• Must be current with junior service hour requirement.

Completion of these elements of the discernment process below:

1. Complete an essay on personal faith (practice and relationship with God).
2. Submit a Service Learning Proposal at the time of application.   

This course provides a broad background of information and experiences to empower students to minister in the areas of faith, service, and pastoral care to work for the deepening of the spiritual life of the AHA community. Core content is focused on liturgy, prayer, service, retreats, faith sharing, outreach, and Christian leadership. In order to empower others to share in ministry, a very high commitment to service as well as personal faith development through organization, written reflections and hands-on experience is needed in this course.

Faith

• Students will examine various styles of leadership and ministry.
• Students will articulate their experiences of faith, service and ministry in a summative project.

Prayer

• Students will identify the five principles of liturgy by examining the structural components of the Catholic Mass especially through  planning, implementing, and evaluating the all-school Masses, daily morning prayer, and other prayer services.

Service

• Students will serve as role models of Christian leadership through mentoring ninth-grade AHA students and planning, conducting, and evaluating retreats and service activities.
• Students will examine issues of poverty and hunger and implement school-wide drives to meet the needs of local communities.
• Students will plan and implement a service learning project based on real and pressing world needs.

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