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Religion

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM "Religious education addresses how students view themselves and others in their social and religious contexts. In turn, this helps students understand and respond to the world around them. Religious education courses help students become self-motivated problem solvers equipped with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to face their changing world with confidence. This is accomplished through practical experience, discussion, debate, research, reflection, prayer and discernment, and the development of critical and creative thinking skills. Moreover, religious education courses are sensitive to the rhythms of the liturgical seasons as well as incorporating experiential opportunities for prayer and reflection. Indeed, such opportunities will help students progress from a simple acquisition of religious knowledge (the “what”), to a consideration of its meaning (the “so what”) to an appropriation of that meaning into their lives (the “now what”). This dynamic informs the structure of the strands across all grades and programs." (SREP, 21)
 
Grade 9 Discipleship and Culture: Open
Course Description
This course engages students in the examination of the Christian narrative as revealed in Sacred Scripture. Students are invited to a deeper understanding of both the joy and the demands of living out the call to discipleship as it is described in the Scriptures. Students explore discipleship as encountered in the Sacred Tradition of the Church (Sacraments, Liturgical Year and Church Teaching and Law), as part of their ongoing personal growth and faith understanding. Students explore Catholic rituals, teaching, practice, morals and values, and virtues to facilitate a healthy and covenantal relationship with self, God and with
others. Using theological reflection, they are challenged to explore the connections and disconnections of ethical concepts (euthanasia, abortion, sexuality, etc.) between the Church and contemporary culture. The course focuses on encouraging students to know and love by following in the footsteps of Jesus. As they learn of his words and deeds, they discover the importance of prayerfully serving the community to bring about the Reign of God.  (SREP, 71)
 
Grade 10 Christ and Culture: Open
Course Description
This course both invites and challenges the adolescent to personalize the Gospel values and social justice principles that guide Catholics in understanding their role in shaping culture as disciples of Jesus. Students will explore such foundational topics as: what it means to be human, created in God’s image, what is culture, Christ and culture, living together in solidarity, social justice, prayer and sacrament, friendship and intimacy. Connections between the living Church and contemporary culture are explored in terms of what it means to be a responsible Christian adolescent in a secularized, pluralistic world. (SREP, 100)
 
Grade 11 Faith and Culture: World Religion: University / College and Open
Course Description
This course engages students in the examination of world religions, particularly Judaism, Christianity and Islam, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Spiritualties’, and locally appropriate religious tradition(s), if suitable. This is a survey course that will help students understand the basic similarities and differences between the religious traditions so they can interact with others with acceptance and familiarity. Ontario is a multi-faith global community. Students will deepen their understanding of the various faith traditions in their local community and around the world. (SREP, 132)
 
Grade 12 Church and Culture: University / College and Open
Course Description
This course has the aim of assisting students in understanding themselves as moral persons living the way of Christ through an examination of the revelation of sacred Scripture, and the experience and teaching of the Catholic Church. It engages students in critical reflection on significant contemporary moral and ethical issues in light of Scripture, Church teaching, and their own experiences (i.e., Theological Reflection). Social and ecological justice issues are explored along with a study of topics that focus on Christian mercy and forgiveness. The graces and challenges of everyday human living, understanding who we are, what we are called to be, and living in relationships, including marriage, and family life are explored from a Catholic perspective. Students are challenged to adopt the Christian stance in the political world. (SREP 194) 
 
Grade 12: Philosophy - Questions and Theories: University
Course Description
This course enables students to acquire an understanding of the nature of philosophy and philosophical reasoning skills and to develop and apply their knowledge and skills while exploring specialized branches of philosophy (the course will cover at
least three of the following branches: metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, philosophy of science, social and political philosophy, aesthetics).∗ Students will develop critical thinking and philosophical reasoning skills as they formulate and evaluate arguments
related to a variety of philosophical questions and theories. They will also develop research and inquiry skills related to the study and practice of philosophy. (SSH 337)