Theology Department

The courses taught within Theology Department are designed to assists students in their understanding of the teaching of the Catholic faith. The Theology classes taught at Bishop Amat are academic in nature. The courses taught within this department demand the same rigor as other academic departments. To that end, a goal of this department is to facilitate an atmosphere where the student can deepen his or her knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic faith. For those students who are not Catholic, Bishop Amat respects them and their faith tradition. The governing authority for our Theology Department curriculum is the Archbishop of Los Angeles. All courses taught and all textbooks used are in compliance with the directive of the Archbishop and the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Theology

LANCER LIVING: INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM (first semester; Freshman)

This course will introduce the students to the beliefs, worship and structure of the Catholic Church. The course will also provide an overview of Sacred Scripture from the Catholic perspective. Students will be provided with an opportunity to be immersed into the Bishop Amat Community while focusing on our motto of Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.

CHRIST IN SCRIPTURE (second semester; Freshmen)

This is a one semester religion course required for all freshmen. The course is designed to provide students with a general knowledge and appreciation of the Sacred Scriptures. Through study of the Bible, students will come to encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ as authored by God through Inspiration. Students will learn how to read the Bible and become familiar with the major sections and included books. A study of the Gospels as a means of growing in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ is emphasized.

THE PASCHAL MYSTERY (first semester; Sophomores)

The purpose of this course is to help students understand all that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through this course of study, students will learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with Him which is accomplished through the Redemption Christ won for us. Students will learn that they share in this Redemption only in and through Jesus Christ. They will also be introduced to what it means to be a disciple of Christ and what life as a disciple entails.

CHRIST’S MISSION IN THE CHURCH (second semester; Sophomores)

The purpose of this course is to help the students understand that in and through the Church they encounter the Living Jesus Christ. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by Him through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today. This Body has both Divine and human elements. In this course, emphasis is placed on the sacred nature of the Church over specific events in Church history.

SACRAMENTS AND WORSHIP (first semester; Juniors)

This course assists students in understanding they can encounter Christ today in full and real way through the Sacraments, most especially through the Eucharist. Students examine each of the Sacraments in detail as a means of encountering Christ throughout their lives.

CHRISTIAN MORALITY (second semester; Juniors)

This is a relationship-centered course which approaches Christianity as a total way of life. Using a framework of the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, and Catholic Church teachings, this course explores the virtues and values taught by Christ, applies them to practical life situations and various moral issues providing students with methods for making positive moral decisions.

CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS (first semester; Seniors)

This course encourages an understanding of life’s vocations and how Christ calls us to live. Students recognize the similarities and differences among all vocations. The married, single, priestly, and consecrated lives are explored, focusing on the Christian family as the source of each vocation.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD (second semester; Seniors)

In this course, students will examine the story of the Church’s history in the Modern World. This course places Christianity in its historical context and examines how the Church has addressed the challenges of the Modern World since 1492. Students will learn how Christianity has shaped the Modern World and how its expansion throughout the world has shaped the way the Church addresses the world in the 21st Century.

SACRED SCRIPTURE / THE MEANING OF LIFE (second semester elective; selected Seniors)

This course is designed for those who would like to explore the philosophical questions of life, including: why are we here and why do, we have suffering in our world? Along with exploring texts from Scripture, we will also use supplemental materials to discuss issues in our modern day society. We will learn skills that will help us to better cope with the difficulties of life and to better appreciate the joys.

WORLD RELIGIONS (second semester elective; Seniors)

This course offers an examination of the world’s major religions. Students define religion and explore the importance of religion and how it is interwoven into people’s lives. The five major religions studied include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism in addition to brief discussions on Chinese and Japanese religions. Students will explore the history, beliefs and practices, sacred spaces, places and time of each religion. Discussions will include comparisons between Catholicism and other religions of the world. The following courses are theology electives, taken in addition to the prescribed theology course for your grade.

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (pending CSU / UC approval) (one semester elective; Juniors, Seniors)

Introduction to Philosophy introduces students to basic elements of philosophical thinking. This course will introduce students to the basic philosophical schools of thought from the ancient world through the modern era and will examine the ways in which the tools of philosophy may be used in the study of theology and applied to their daily lives. This course will help them develop their critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning skills while giving them the opportunity to develop 23their oral and written communication skills through class discussions and writing assignments.

FAITH AND SCIENCE (pending CSU / UC approval) (one semester elective; Juniors, Seniors)

Faith and Science will investigate the true relationship between Faith and Science and how someone can be both a person of science and of faith. This course will seek to dispel the idea that science and faith are incompatible or in conflict, but rather to demonstrate that, when properly understood, the two can work together. Students will begin with an understanding of the different ways in which we acquire knowledge and the similarities and differences in knowledge acquisition in science and theology. Students will then be invited to deepen their understanding of important issues raised by science that can better be understood through a theological lens.

Faith In Action

SACRAMENTS AND WORSHIP / FAITH IN ACTION (first semester; selected Juniors)

PREREQUISITE: Campus Minister approval This course follows the curriculum of the Sacraments and Worship course with an emphasis on liturgical ministry and living out the sacramental principle. Students in this course must be available outside of class time to participate in the planning and conduction of Campus Ministry activities. Attendance on an Emmaus retreat is a requirement of this course.

CHRISTIAN MORALITY / FAITH IN ACTION (second semester; selected Juniors)

PREREQUISITE: Campus Minister approval 22This course follows the curriculum of the Christian Morality course with an emphasis on practicing the Works of Mercy. Students in this course must be available outside of class time to participate in the planning and conduction of Campus Ministry activities. Attendance on an Emmaus retreat is a requirement of this course.

CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS / FAITH IN ACTION (first semester; selected Seniors)

PREREQUISITE: Campus Minister approval This course follows the curriculum of the Christian Vocations, with a pronounced emphasis on Christian Leadership. Students in this course must be available outside of class time to participate in the planning and conduction of Campus Ministry activities. Attendance on a Kairos retreat is a requirement of this course. Senior students select one of the four electives that follow to fulfill the second semester Religion requirement.

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP / FAITH IN ACTION (second semester elective; Seniors)

PREQUISITE: Campus Minister approval Students will study the meaning of discipleship, especially by exploring Catholic Social Justice Teaching. Students will live out their discipleship by planning and implementing various Campus Ministry activities. Attendance on a KAIROS retreat is a requirement of this course. Registration for this course requires the signature of the Campus Minister.