RELIGION DEPARTMENT

Bishop Carroll Religion Department Honors Policy Students may not enroll in only one semester of Honors Religion.

Eighth graders must receive an average score of 85% or higher on English/Reading section of the high school placement test, have an A in their 8th grade Religion class for both semesters, and have teacher approval, which will be submitted directly to the Bishop Carroll Counseling department.

Current students in Honors Religion must have an A or B in both their current Honors Religion classes, a score of 80% or higher on their most recent standardized test, and those who are not currently enrolled in an Honors Religion class and would like to enroll in one the next school year must have an A in both semesters of their Religion classes for the current school year. These students must have teacher recommendation from both Religion teachers and score 80% or higher on their most recent standardized test. These guidelines apply to any student who dropped out of honors for a year and is trying to get back into honors the following year.

Any student who did not meet the above criteria may appeal their case. The student must meet with the school Chaplain to begin the process.

SALVATION HISTORY (9th grade)

This course will examine the revelation of God and His saving works throughout history. It will survey the major people, events, and books of Old Testament. Particular emphasis will be placed on God’s covenantal relationship with man, which comes to fulfillment through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. It aims to aid the students in seeking what their role is in God’s plan so that they might continue living the story in their own lives.

SALVATION HISTORY HONORS* (Teachers Approval)

This course will examine the revelation of God and His saving works throughout history. It will survey the major people, events, and books of Old Testament. Particular emphasis will be placed on God’s covenantal relationship with man, which comes to fulfillment through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. This class will be more fast-paced as well as more rigorous in reading and writing. It aims to aid the students in seeking what their role is in God’s plan so that they might continue living the story in their own lives.

PRAYER AND LITURGY (9th)

This course will examine the importance of personal and liturgical prayer as a necessary means to grow in holiness and in the life of Christ. The study of the Liturgy presents the principle elements of worship in the Liturgical year, which includes the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and the sacraments of initiation and healing. Students will be required to do 10 hours of service to their family as a requirement to pass this course.

PRAYER AND LITURGY HONORS* (Teachers Approval)

This course will examine the importance of personal and liturgical prayer as a necessary means to grow in holiness and in the life of Christ. The study of the Liturgy presents the principle elements of worship in the Liturgical year that includes the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and the sacraments of initiation and healing. This class will be more rigorous in reading and writing.

CHRISTIAN MORALITY (10th)

This course will examine the human person’s concrete choices and actions in order to shape them in the image of Jesus Christ so as to fulfill our purpose to know, love and serve God. It will introduce students to the essential elements of the moral life, the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Precepts of the Church, conscience, virtue and the life of Grace. Students will be required to do 15 hours of service to their parish as a requirement to pass this course.

CHRISTIAN MORALITY HONORS* (See Religion Honors Policy) (Teacher Approval)

In addition to the course description above, honors will seek to increase the level of information shared and understanding. This will be accomplished through intensified lectures and higher expectations for classroom participation. Students will have the opportunity to further their understanding of Christian morals.

NEW TESTAMENT (10th)

This course will show how the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament in the person of Jesus Christ. As Dei Verbum says, “God, the inspirer and author of both Testaments, wisely arranged that the New Testament be hidden in the Old and the Old be made manifest in the New.” (Dei Verbum Chapter IV paragraph 16) The understanding of the life, work, teachings and sacrifice of Jesus will be deepened by the study of Bible verses showing the allegory of the Old and New Testaments and will be intensified by the study of key Christological passages and Old Testament types. Students will be challenged to respond as disciples to the invitation of Jesus, “Come, follow Me.” (Mt. 4:19)

NEW TESTAMENT HONORS* (See Religion Honors Policy) (Teacher Approval)

In addition to the course description above, honors will seek to increase the level of information shared and understanding. This will be accomplished through intensified lectures, the addition of supplemental readings, and higher expectations for classroom participation

CHURCH HISTORY (11th)

This course is a survey of the history of the Roman Catholic Church from its beginning to the present. The history of the Church is one of a pilgrim people united, as the Mystical Body of Christ that has developed over the ages. The class will stress Christ’s institution of the Church, St. Peter’s primacy, what it means to be a Christian in different time periods, and the various contributions of the past. Students will be required to do 20 hours of service to the needy or socially marginalized as a requirement to pass this course.

CHURCH HISTORY HONORS*:In addition to the course description above, honors will seek to increase the level of information shared and understanding. This will be accomplished through intensified lectures and higher expectations for classroom participation. Students will have the opportunity to further their understanding of Christian morals

FAITH AND REASON (11th)

This course is designed to teach faith and reason by presenting the philosophical, theological and scriptural foundations of the truths of the Roman Catholic Church through the framework of the Church’s creed. It aims to equip the student with the apologetic and evangelical skills necessary to spread and explain their faith in Jesus and His Church.

FAITH AND REASON HONORS*:In addition to the course description above, honors will seek to empower students with exceptional knowledge and skills in apologetics. This will be accomplished through intensified lectures and more opportunities for classroom discussion/debate.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING (12th)

This course will examine how a Christian can apply the message of Jesus Christ to the modern world. It will focus on the dignity of the human person and the rights and responsibilities which flow from that dignity. Particular emphasis will be placed on our role in engaging the culture. Students will study the foundation of Catholic social teaching.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING HONORS* (See Religion Honors Policy) (Teacher Approval)

In addition to the course description above, honors will offer thorough study of specific social issues and enjoy engaged classroom discussions. Students will be expected to prove understanding of material by extensive writing and projects. Note: Seniors who take Christian Vocations Honors and Faith and Reason Honors may elect to obtain college credit for these courses through Newman University. Talk to your counselor to be placed in the classes designated for college credit.

CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS (12th)

This course will explore the meaning of the human person and the universal calling to holiness. It is intended to equip the students to live their vocation within the sacramental life of the Church through the vocations of Marriage, Holy Orders and Religious Life. *Students will be required to do 25 hours of service to the secular Wichita community as a requirement to pass this course.

CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS HONORS* (See Religion Honors Policy) (Teacher Approval) In addition to the course description above, honors will have more opportunities for greater understanding by intensive reflection and writing. Supplemental material may be added and a video project will be required. Note: Seniors who take Christian Vocations Honors and Faith and Reason Honors may elect to obtain college credit for these courses through Newman University. Talk to your counselor to be placed in the classes designated for college credit.

LOGIC* (11th or 12th)

This elective course aims to train the mind to think in an orderly manner by examining the structure and laws of reason. Logic helps us to analyze arguments, identify fallacies, and to construct our own propositions and conclusions. The course will focus on the deductive methods of Aristotelian logic which are necessary in written or verbal communication. The course will introduce students to symbolic logic which is taught in most departments of philosophy or law in universities.

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY* (11th or 12th)

This elective course aims to teach the purpose and methods of philosophy which seeks to understand the truth about the deepest questions of the human person. It is recommended for juniors and seniors who want to develop their skills of rational inquiry. Emphasis will be placed on the Aristotelian tradition leading to a Thomistic interpretation.

STEWARDS OF CATHOLIC CULTURE (10th, 11th, & 12th) (Application process and Religion Dept. Approval)

This elective course will examine how to participate actively in the Church’s mission of evangelization. This will be accomplished by studying the history and methodology of evangelization, applying the art and craft of catechesis, examining how to live discipleship through stewardship, and cultivating the spiritual life of a true apostle. Students will be required to serve as catechists in their parish for the entire year and will be awarded a Basic Certificate of Catechesis from the Diocese of Wichita. Service as a catechist for the school year will fulfill the stewardship requirement. Students who signup for this course will be required to fill out an application. Religion Department faculty will review the applications for admittance to the course.

FAITH AND REASON II (Prerequisite: Must have completed the Faith and Reason course with a grade of B or higher.)

This religion elective is intended to build on the foundation established in the required Faith and Reason course. Students will develop skills of defending Catholic doctrine by studying and responding to common objections to Church teaching. Memorizing key Scripture passages and adequate responses to claims against church teaching will be a central focus of the course. The students will be exposed to the work of Catholic apologists. Students will watch debates between Catholic apologists and Non-Catholic scholars. Through in-class discussion and mock debates the students will hone their ability to intelligently defend the Catholic faith in a charitable manner. Students will read, watch, and listen to several conversion stories of people who became Catholic from various backgrounds. They will analyze the various components and factors that contributed to the conversion of particular individuals to the Catholic Church.