Religious Studies

5530 Legal Issues and the American Judicial System (11, 12)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester

This course will analyze topics such as victim’s rights, the death penalty, Fourth Amendment search and seizure laws, and prison reform.

The rights of the individual, rights of the accused, and the court system will be examined. Students will have an opportunity to simulate courtroom experiences from various perspectives. (NCAA)

5540 US History 3: American Pop Cultural Studies (11, 12)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

This highly interdisciplinary survey course will examine modern American History through the lens of popular culture. Throughout United States history, pop culture has both reflected and helped to shape society’s values. Students will look primarily at film, music, television, and other forms of mass entertainment to examine how popular culture has informed ideas about history, politics, race, gender, fears, war, and much more. Skills emphasized and practiced include analytical reasoning and writing, interpreting and challenging media and written sources, and engaging in peer discussions using technology.

Prerequisite Students must have taken or are currently taking, U.S. History II. (NCAA)

5550 Civics: Active Citizenship in the 21st Century (11,12)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester

American citizens enjoy the democratic privilege of having a say in the public policy decisions that impact their lives, and the guaranteed right to express their opinions and beliefs to those entrusted with the power to make such decisions. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take advantage of this privilege and exercise these rights in this increasingly challenging era of “fake news” and unlimited ability to publish information on the Internet. Emphasis will be placed on providing students the necessary knowledge of the decision-making process, and on building communication skills. Students will have the opportunity to investigate public policy issues that matter most to them, find and evaluate sources of information, and develop strategies and skills to impact decision making. The goals of this course include not only preparing students to be active citizens, but also to prepare students for the research and communication expectations of college. (NCAA)

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

6100/6110 Religion 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture (9)

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.

6200 Our Catholic Faith (Religion 2) (10)

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.

6300 Morality and Social Justice (Religion 3) (11)

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 that threaten the dignity of the human person and the environment.

6320 Honors Religion 3 (Service) (11)

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.

6400 World Religions and Christian Vocation Religion 4 (12)

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.

6410 Honors Religion 4 (Academic) (12)

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.

6420 Honors Religion 4 (Service) (12)

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