Theology 1

In the first quarter of Theology 1, students will spend some time getting to know each other and the parameters for theological study.  After exploring levels of faith and a general overview of the Bible, students will consider God’s covenant with Moses as a key to understanding the Judeo-Christian scripture.

Theology 2

In the opening weeks of class we will focus on the importance of working together cooperatively as well as creating an environment where the students will experience a sense of belonging.  We know the importance of having a strong sense of identity.  Yet at the same time, we are also aware that the teenage years are characterized by a lot of change.  This can contribute to a sense of confusion.  During the first quarter we will look at some of the outside forces which contribute to shaping students’ change identity, including peers, family, and the media.

Theology 3

Part of the Benedictine tradition is to enable our students to grow in awareness of society’s problems and empower them to respond in effective and positive ways.  One way in which this happens is through the Junior Theology Field Experience.  During these early weeks of class, students will be given an overview of the program which requires students to complete twenty-five hours of service.  Students work with the sick, children, the homeless, the elderly, and people with disabilities.  JTFE also has a significant reflective dimension, including the writing of journals and classroom discussion.  It is our hope that this experience will foster within the student a sense of responsibility for a world beyond herself.

Theology 4

During the first quarter Theology 4 students are being introduced to the common questions most religious traditions address and seven dimensions that will be used throughout the year to compare and contrast the major religious traditions of our world.  The primal Aboriginal, Yoruba, Native American, and Mesoamerican religions begin our journey. 

Senior Theology and Philosophy students field trip to the "Catholic Chicago" exhibit at the Chicago History Museum in October.

Following is the essay chosen for submission in the Fireside Essay Scholasrship contest:

images/Fireside.doc

Philosophy

The IB Philosophy students are already working on their first paper in which they must identify a philosophical question presented in the movie Stranger than Fiction and discuss and reflect on how the movie resolves the issue.  This serves as a precursor to their Internal Assessment, which is a philosophical analysis of a non-philosophical item.  We will do a number of activities in preparation for this assignment, including a field trip to the Chicago History Museum.  Additionally we hope to begin reading Plato’s Republic before the end of the quarter.