Religion

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
With a thematic approach, students become familiar with the origins of faith, the convictions of key Biblical figures and the life and teachings of Jesus. This knowledge is used to assist students in reflecting on their own religious beliefs and as a vehicle to help them understand the past and meet their responsibilities in the future as people of faith.

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The course is designed to help students understand the basics of the Catholic faith. They will explore the Apostles’ Creed, the Sacraments, prayer and personal morality. Students will investigate the sources of the Catholic faith and its application to their lives.

5 credits 80 minutes, 1 Semester
Students will learn how to make ethical, moral decisions with the guidance of an informed conscience. Students will also learn how to apply the seven principles of Catholic social teaching to contemporary social issues. These principles, rooted in Scripture, will help them to formulate and apply an authentic Christian response to unjust societal structures which threaten the dignity of the human person and the environment.

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Beginning with the Class of 2024, the service learning honors program will be a two-year program that includes both Honors Service 3 and Honors Service 4.  Students interested in the service learning honors program must apply during the spring of their Sophomore year. 

The service learning honors class is designed to help Junior and Senior students to understand the concepts of Catholic faith in action and servant leadership. Students are encouraged to reflect on what their God given gifts and talents are and how they can use them best to serve a hurting world. 
The students will also learn essential leadership and hospitality skills to best collaborate and build community among the leadership class and the wider Notre Dame community.   The students will learn to engage and inspire other students to serve their fellow man through creating a community of compassion and kindness. 
 Mercy values and Catholic Social Teaching are the foundation of the program. Students will also gain an understanding of healthy communication, listening, conflict resolution and the ability to collaborate with their teams. As they learn to serve one another and plan service opportunities for other students, they grow to see that the work they do with and for one another is really service to God and a path to their ultimate vocation of holiness.
 

5 credits 80 minutes, 1 Semester
This course will challenge students to understand what it means to respond to God’s call in their own lives through the single, married or priestly state. In a broader context, students will learn how people since the beginning of time have responded to the call of God through various world religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. 

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
In addition to the basic Senior curriculum described in Religion 4, students will study philosophies related to each unit. An interest in the search for meaning and a willingness to analyze philosophical works are required. This course is recommended for students interested in an advanced academic approach to religious studies. Prerequisite: 90 average in Religion 3. 

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Beginning with the Class of 2024, the service learning honors program will be a two-year program that includes both Honors Service 3 and Honors Service 4.  Students interested in the service learning honors program must apply during the spring of their Sophomore year. 
The service learning honors class is designed to help Junior and Senior students to understand the concepts of Catholic faith in action and servant leadership. Students are encouraged to reflect on what their God given gifts and talents are and how they can use them best to serve a hurting world. 
The students will also learn essential leadership and hospitality skills to best collaborate and build community among the leadership class and the wider Notre Dame community.   The students will learn to engage and inspire other students to serve their fellow man through creating a community of compassion and kindness. 
Mercy values and Catholic Social Teaching are the foundation of the program. Students will also gain an understanding of healthy communication, listening, conflict resolution and the ability to collaborate with their teams. As they learn to serve one another and plan service opportunities for other students, they grow to see that the work they do with and for one another is really service to God and a path to their ultimate vocation of holiness.

2.5 Credits Period 9, 1 Semester
This practicum is for Senior students who have taken the Honors Service class in the fall and have exhibited exceptional leadership abilities. Students will serve as mentors to Junior Honors service students in the Spring semester, assisting them with the planning and execution of ICAN days and other service projects. Additionally, students will be required to continue fall projects to their completion or possibly pass the project to a junior student for the following academic year.

Students may also choose to plan and execute new original projects of their own which will involve the larger school community. These activities will be done outside of the formal classroom setting. Students will be required to meet with their service learning teacher several times outside of the classroom to plan activities and report on their progress for credit. Students will be graded based on the service participation rubric. Acceptance into this course will require an application process. Placement into this course will be by department chairperson. This course will receive a Pass/Fail grade.

2.5 credits 40 minutes, 1 Semester
This elective is offered to Sophomores and Juniors in the Fall semester. It is designed to help students integrate classroom experience with school and community leadership. Students will learn how to effectively communicate with others to foster an environment of inclusion and service in the Notre Dame community while acting as mentors to members of the Freshmen class. The application process to join Peer Leadership must be completed by students in the spring of Freshman or Sophomore year. It is expected that Peer Leaders attend a 3-day Peer Leadership camp in the third week of July. 

2.5 credits Period 9, 2 Semesters
This companion course to the Peer Leadership elective is taken during the same academic year. The practicum will have two goals: (1) facilitation of events that foster a mentoring relationship between the Peer Leader and students of the freshman class and (2) completion of  a final project in which the Peer Leader will reflect on his/her application of leadership skills to a club or nonprofit to which he/she currently belongs. The Peer Leader will meet periodically with his/her teacher to discuss his/her progress prior to the final project presentation. This course will receive a Pass/Fail grade.

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester
This course is an introduction to the methods, problems, and theories of the main branches of Western Philosophy and the fundamental questions raised in regard to reality, truth, power, meaning, purpose, and valid reasoning from ancient times to the present. The central themes of Ethics, Political Philosophy, Free Will & Determinism, Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology and Logic will be addressed, in a topical course format, organized around a set of key questions that invite conversation, analysis, and discussion among the students aimed at developing critical thinking skills. (NCAA)