A one semester course that provides the student with a basic understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures through two components. The first component will focus on an historical level that will be the core theme of each lesson. The second component will be interactive, focusing on the formational and transformational levels. The course brings the student into a mindful dialogue with the Bible as it recorded and affected the history of the ancient Israelite people. The course begins with exploring the individual student's background and religious foundations as his or her personal sacred story, and continues to connect the Judeo-Christian sacred story, the Scriptures, with the individual's story. The expected learning results are that a student begins or continues the process of growth as a faith filled person; becomes a competent and active learner developing spiritual, analytical and communication skills; and becomes an involved community member.

This one semester course provides the student with a basic understanding of the Christian Scriptures through two components. The first component will focus on an historical level that will be the core theme of each lesson. The second component will be interactive, focusing on the formational and transformational levels. The course brings the student into a mindful dialogue with the Bible as it recorded and affected the history of Christian people. The expected learning results are that a student begins or continues the process of growth as a faith filled person; becomes a competent and active learner, developing spiritual, analytical and communication skills; and becomes an involved community member.

The first semester of the Sophomore Religion course focuses on the study of key aspects of Ethics (Moral Philosophy) and Moral Theology. Students analyze the stages of moral development and reflect upon the development of conscience be examining personal and social moral dilemmas and decision-making. The basis for the course is the Christian belief that the natural law guides human beings to be good and that Jesus reveals how we should live and is the model of the Christian moral life. Expected learning results are that students will develop as an active learner and academically prepared individual.

The second semester of sophomore religion focuses on Catholic Social Teachings. Social Justice introduces sophomores to issues surrounding the key principles of the Church's rich body of social teachings. These come to from the strong tradition of the writings of the popes, especially since Pope Leo XIII. The course text Catholic Social Teaching attempts to understand how societies work and the values that ought to guide them. This text provides the latest up-to-date applications of the Church's social teachings as it draws on the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and is organized around the U.S. Bishops' document, "Sharing Catholic Social Teaching". The text highlights two important principles - the life and dignity of the human person and respect for life - as foundational principles that support concepts such as the common good, the preferential option for the poor, solidarity among all people, and stewardship of resources. In this course the student is expected to continue his/her journey as a faith filled person, an active learner and an involved community member.

This course will cover the history and theology of the sacraments of the Catholic Church as well as an evaluation of the ideas that shaped Catholic understanding of the sacraments throughout the centuries. Students will become acquainted with the circumstances leading up to Christ's institution of the sacraments as well as the Church's understanding of the sacraments through the centuries. Expected learning results are that students will develop a theological and philosophical vocabulary which to properly articulate these ideas. A greater understanding and appreciation for the Gospels will be cultivated. Students are also expected to continue to develop a Christian moral conscience.

This spring semester course will cover the profiles of nine men and women from around the world. Each person will have their life contextualized both historically and ii terms of socio-political situation in which they lived. The class will also critically analyze the person's life, faith and legacy. Students will become acquainted with the backgrounds of nine incredible human beings and will learn valuable lessons on how to live a faith-filled life for others. Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate text and film via analytical reflection papers. A greater understanding and appreciation for other cultures will be cultivated. Each student is expected to continue the process of growth as a faith-filled person; become a competent and active learner, developing spiritual, analytical, and communications skills; and become an involved community member.

Over the two semesters, students will review the spiritual experiences and development of key figures in the faith tradition, explore various prayer styles, uncover paths to personal development through the examples of Jesus of Nazareth, and examine the institutional church. Students, in preparation for university-level work in religious studies, will read primary texts and secondary sources, view films and documentaries, visit course-related web sites, interview family, friends, and members of the extended community, participate in informed discussions, and synthesize in writing and orally what they have learned and uncovered. Each student is expected to continue the process of growth as a faith-filled person; become a competent and active learner, developing spiritual, analytical and communication skills; and become an involved community member.