- Through this course, students examine those common bonds which the Great Religions of the world share with Christianity. While recognizing the differences of vision and religious practice among religions, the course encourages students to develop attitudes of understanding and respect for the beliefs and practices of others. It also discusses unhealthy aspects of religious observance, such as magic, emotional dependence on cults and sectarian violence. While primary emphasis is given to Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, significant contributions from other religions are also examined.
- We live in a media culture of non-stop information from television, the Internet, radio, movies, video games and advertising. Is there anything worthwhile in the media? Does media shape how we think and feel? Does media transmit values both negative and positive? Is anything sacred on television? Faith and Media examines the world of media to identify religious values in our culture. Students will view and discuss television programs, advertising, films, etc., to understand the influence of media in their lives, and in the process will develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of the value messages in media. They will then work in groups to create and produce videos that incorporate the content and the goals of the course.
- We live in a media culture of non-stop information from television, the Internet, radio, movies, video games and advertising. Is there anything worthwhile in the media? Does media shape how we think and feel? Does media transmit values both negative and positive? Is anything sacred on television? Faith and Media examines the world of media to identify religious values in our culture. Students will view and discuss television programs, advertising, films, etc., to understand the influence of media in their lives, and in the process will develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of the value messages in media. They will then work in groups to create and produce videos that incorporate the content and the goals of the course.
- The Roman Catholic Church has a long history working with youth, and realizes that for youth ministry to be effective, it must be to youth, for youth, with youth and by youth. This course will provide opportunities for students to participate actively in a peer ministry while at the same time learning about the Church's role in ministry to youth and their own response to Christ's call to minister to each other. Although there are no pre-requisites for this class, students will be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher and an adult outside of the school who will attest to their leadership abilities. Unlike other Senior Religion classes, this course is a semester course dedicated to developing student leadership skills and styles for use at PC, in college, and later in life.
- Beginning with the images of Jesus in the four Gospels and the writings of the entire New Testament, moving through the writings of the Church Fathers, and down through the contemporary writers and theologians, this course is designed to look at what the Church and others throughout the last two millenia have taught about Jesus, the Christ. This course begins with the challenge of the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith. We will look at what we can really know about Jesus from our Scriptures and Traditions. We will journey through some of the writings/teachings of a few of the Church Fathers and move into reflecting upon some contemporary authors/theologians and their views on whom this Jesus actually is and was. Finally, this course will look at who and what other world religions profess of Jesus.
