Theology

The Theology Department encourages students to explore their own beliefs in relationship with the perspectives of Catholic Theology and Catholic Social Teaching, while respecting and embracing the religious diversity present in the Josephinum community. The five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, are introduced and studied. The teachings of Catholic Christianity are explored at each level of study through navigating the Bible as well as Church teaching and tradition. Emphasis is placed on analyzing Catholic Social Teaching in course work and community service.  An additional focus is the development of one’s prayer life and relationship with God which occurs through both private and community experiences and reflection. 

Theology 1                                                                                         
Grade 9

This course has three main focusses. [1] Students will learn the background of the Religious of the Sacred Heart in the context and history of Josephinum Academy. [2] Students will explore the following religions and religious traditions from cultural, historical, theological, and humanist perspectives: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religious traditions, Japanese religious traditions, Indigenous Peoples’ religious traditions. [3] Students will explore the meaning of religion, and seek to answer the question: ‘why does religion exists across time, place, and people?'

Theology 2
Grade 10

The first semester of this course provides an overview of the Hebrew Scriptures (known as the Tanakh); commonly known to Christians as the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. This study of the Old Testament will cover various themes, discuss each book in the Old Testament, and seek to understand the intellectual challenges present when interpreting it. In addition to interpretation, students will learn of the women and men of the Ancient Near East and their interaction with God that led to the creation of the stories and books that comprise the Tanakh.
The Second semester of this course will focus on the New Testament of the Bible. Students will explore the life and times of Jesus Christ in the Gospels, the works and deeds of the apostles in Acts, Paul’s letters, and the book of Revelation. The course will also take a look at the origins of Christianity and the Early Christian Church.

Theology 3                                                                 
Grade 11

Building on the foundations acquired in ‘World Religions’ and ‘The Bible,’ students will continue in their study of Theology. Students will grow in their understanding and application of the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart Network and will study Catholic Social teaching as a rubric for living their individual and communal faith. In the first semester, students will study the origins and history of Catholic Social Teaching and will receive an overview of the seven major principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
In the second semester, students will more closely examine each of the seven principles in light of current social justice issues. As part of this course, students will also read “Just Mercy (Student Edition)” by Bryan Stevensen and discuss issues surrounding the death penalty, criminal justice, and dignity of the human person.

Theology 4                                                                                      
Grade 12

In this course, students will evaluate in writing and discuss the views of different theologians and philosophers through the context of contemporary film. Later students will connect current events to moral ethics. For the second semester, students will engage in an exploration of ethics through a filmmaking project. Working in groups, they will research ethical dilemmas, create characters and scripts that reflect this dilemma, then they will create short films that tackle these ethical dilemmas and questions, fostering a deeper understanding of ethical principles through creative expression and collaborative storytelling.