Course Descriptions

0110 Religion 1-2, Guidelines for Christian Living

Grade Level: 9

Year Course

Prerequisite: None

10 Credits

Permission: None

The purpose of this course is to take students from diverse educational and religious backgrounds and establish for them a basic survey of key concepts and terminology that will be used during their four year religious studies program. The course follows the Gospels and New Testament. The aim of the course is to lay a foundational knowledge in the areas of: Scriptural studies, Old Testament highlights, Christ and the New Covenant, the Church, its Creed and Sacramental Life.

0210 Religion 3-4, Christian Morality

Grade Level: 10

Year Course

Prerequisite: None

10 Credits

Permission: None

Christian Morality is a year long study that provides a method of arriving at moral decisions based in the Catholic tradition, rooted in the fundamental belief in the dignity of having been made in the image and likeness of God, with emphasis on the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments.

0313 Social Justice

Grade Level: 11

Semester Course

Prerequisite: None

5 Credits

Permission: None

This course will give the student an opportunity to investigate the social, economic, and political problems of today’s world, and the Christian values which may be applied in solving these problems. The student will study topics related to violence, injustice, poverty, racism, the exploitation of underdeveloped nations, famine, ecology and war. The focus will be on the Christian’s responsibility in the global community. The teachings of the Church will be presented.

0413 Our Christian Vocation

Grade Level: 11

Semester Course

Prerequisite: None

5 Credits

Permission: None

This semester course is designed to introduce students to a variety of Christian lifestyles. Students will study the process for discerning a personal vocation in the single life, married life, priesthood and religious life. They will learn of the opportunities, problems and obligations associated with each lifestyle.

0423 Ecclesiology

Grade Level: 12

Semester Course

Prerequisite: None

5 Credits

Permission: None

Ecclesiology is the study of the Church. This course examines the origin, nature, purpose, structures, and actions of the Church. The Church is a mystery, a Divine and human reality, founded and given her enduring structure by our Lord Jesus Christ and vivified by the Holy Spirit. In order to penetrate more deeply into the mystery of the Church, we shall consider the four "marks" of the Church and traditional "images" used to describe her; the teaching office of the Church; the Church as the sacrament of salvation for the entire world; the Church in her role as servant to mankind; and the Church as the "communion of saints."

0543 Community Involvement - One Period

Grade Level: 11*, 12

Semester Course

Prerequisite: None

 5 Credits

Permission: This class requires a driver's license, an off-campus permit and your own transportation.

0553 Community Involvement - Two Periods

Grade Level: 11*, 12 Semester Course

Prerequisite: None 10 Credits

Permission: This class requires a driver's (5 credits Religion license, an off-campus permit and your own requirement; transportation. 5 credits as elective)

Seniors who want to experience some of the dimensions of Christian service and receive insights into career work, may register for Community Involvement, an off-campus religion* class. This class attempts to meet the needs of the wider Stockton community.

This course must be taken during the school day. Students without transportation may be dropped from the class. During the semester, students will assess the value of Christian service and its relationship to St. Mary's philosophy. This course may not be used to make up for a previously failed religion course. Students repeating Community Involvement will be assigned to a different agency.

*Juniors may take 0543 or 0553 for elective credit only, not as religion credit. Scheduling conflicts, as determined by the Vice Principal, are the only exception.

0613 Religious Themes in Film

Grade Level: 11, 12

Semester Course

Prerequisite: None

5 Credits

Permission: None

The course will examine various religious themes, as they are expressed in film. Examples of the theme include: good and evil, sin and grace, suffering and redemption, faith and revelation, incarnation and sacrament. Students will analyze films through the lens of faith and apply the lessons learned to their daily lives.

World Religions

See Social Studies listings for further information. Because World Religions is now part of the California State Framework for Social Studies, this course offering will be offered through that department, but St. Mary's will continue to give Religion credit for the course.

Grade Level: 9

Year Course

Prerequisite: Placement Test

10 Credits

Permission: None

UC, CSU, NCAA

Freshmen will be recommended for this course based on an above average performance on the eighth grade placement exam. Students will develop skills in expository and narrative writing, as well as critical thinking and literary interpretation. In addition, some emphasis will be placed upon advanced grammar and vocabulary skills. The honors course requires additional readings, writings, and in-depth analysis.