Social Studies 2 credits

Introduction to Law - 7444

Grades: 11, 12

1 Credit

This course is designed for Juniors and Seniors interested in pursuing law at the University level. In this course, students will examine the foundations of the American legal system, including the Constitution, as well as Criminal and Civil Law. The course will also offer perspectives on other types of legal practice such as Intellectual Property, Business Law, Contracts, etc

Modern European History (H) - 6210

1 Credit Grades: 11, 12

This course is an opportunity for students to engage in rigorous intellectual investigation of the forces at work in Europe from the French Revolution in 1789 until the end of WWII in 1945. The challenge of studying the history, geography, politics, and peoples of Europe and the rise of modern European nations, through political, industrial, technological, and social revolutions. The major powers–Great Britain, France, Austria and Russia- are examined, as well as the development of modern Italy and Germany and their interaction with the imperial powers. The world colonial empires and their impact on the modern world will also be covered, and contemporary European issues will be discussed in light of their historical origins and development. The format of the class is a mixed style of lecture, discussion, questions and answers, and research. The textbook (The Western Heritage) will be used in conjunction with handouts, Internet assignments, and lectures, together with multi-media presentation (video documentaries, popular films, music and literature from different eras). Students play an active part in the classroom in several ways: daily discussion, active listening, critical thinking, and appropriate presentation of ideas. Material objects—newspapers, artifacts, documents—are also incorporated as often as possible to give a hands-on dimension to history.

Currents - 21st Century History - 6323 0.5 Credit Grades 11, 12

This course covers current events as they happen around us and to us. In Currents, we will follow the news daily, getting to know the history, science, economics, and other cultural forces of the major stories of our time. Potential topics include politics, climate change, civil rights, international conflict, and literally infinite other possibilities. We will focus on civil discourse, media literacy, empathy, and the school’s values of Truth, Unity, and Love.

Sports Diplomacy & Society - 6430

0.5 Credit Single Term | Grades: 11, 12

Students participating in this course will study the larger role that sports have played and can play in society. Students will examine the history leading up to world changing diplomatic and cultural sports events, as well as examine the effects of these events. Examples may include topics such as the Rugby World Cup & South Africa, Ping-Pong Diplomacy, Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics and the Miracle on Ice hockey game. Students will critically view primary and secondary sources to gain an understanding of the global significance of these events. Throughout this course students will develop critical thinking, reading and writing as well as collaboration skills.

Civics - 0.5 Credit Single Term | Grades: 11, 12

Though the right to participate fully in our democratic process has been extended to all American citizens, many other democracies. Why? We have come so far since our Constitution was ratified in 1787, yet political engagement remains low. How can a country founded on the ideals of liberty and equality still struggle to get all of its citizens to actively participate in their governance?

This course explores our founding documents and how those documents have informed our country’s politics and policies. We will examine Constitutional provisions for limited government, the separation of powers, the division of powers between the state and federal government, the thinkers that inspired our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. We will also look outside the classroom and engage students in active participation in their local political processes.

THEOLOGY 4 credits

Theology Curriculum Coordinator: Rev. Chris Drennen, O.S.A. • cdrennen@malvernprep.org

Keeping in line with our school’s Augustinian Constitutions, which state that “the specific purpose of our schools is the Christian formation and education of the student,” we in the Theology Department aim to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our students. Recognizing that not every student at Malvern is Catholic or even Christian, our courses attempt to offer opportunities for all students to grow spiritually and to ask and discuss the great questions in life. Students at Malvern will take theology courses on the Bible, the History of Christianity, Morality and Social Justice, and two senior capstone courses on God, St. Augustine, vocations, and theology of the body.

Adeodatus - 1441

Grades 12

1 Credit

A small group of 12th graders who will meet everyday during homeroom to reflect and plan on Daily Chapel Services. The participants will rotate in leading the Chapel experiences each day. Membership in the class is by application only. Those chosen will be exempt from the grade level Theology class.

Biblical Studies - 1120

Grade: 9

1 Credit

Since the study of Scripture is an essential and integral part of Christian theology, Malvern devotes the entire freshman year to a systematic study of the Bible - the first portion to the Hebrew Scriptures; the second, to the Christian Testament. In addition to cultivating a familiarity with the sacred text itself, students explore parallel ancient cultures, especially those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Near East, Greece and Rome. Therefore, this Biblical studies course of the Old & New Testaments is multi-cultural in scope. Scriptural emphasis is first placed on understanding the formation of the Jewish nation as the “Chosen People” of God, its connection with the coming of Christ as the “Promised One” of the ages, and the direct effect of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection on the infant Church.

Biblical Studies - 4660

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

1 Credit explores both the Apostolic & Post-Apostolic periods, the age of the early Christian persecutions, the times of the Apologists & Church Fathers, as well as the defining moments of the early Church councils. From a Vatican II perspective, this course also acquaints the student with the unique contribution the Church has made in the development of Western Civilization. Significant trends such as the monastic movements, the rise of the universities, and the invaluable roles of the baptized throughout the history of the Church are traced, explored and honored. Also, the seven sacraments are studied, in depth. The history of each Sacrament will be explored along with the post Vatican II rubric associated with the celebration of each Sacrament.

This course will explore the economy of salvation as it is revealed in Sacred Scripture through a succession of covenants between God and His people. We will investigate the various books of the Bible and their importance within Salvation History and seek to understand how they confirm the Catholic Faith. We will study both the Old and New Testaments in order to grasp how they are an unbroken communication between God and man, the pinnacle and fulfillment of which came with the Incarnation of the Word of God, Jesus Christ. This course is designed to allow each student to see how Salvation History is his story. In other words, God has saved us because He loves us. In coming to know this love, each student will begin to understand himself as possessing inestimable value.

Moral Theology - 1325 0.5 Credit Single Term | Grade: 11

This single term course aims to synthesize the objective and subjective dimensions of Christian morality. Students will be provided with a generous amount of time for individual reflection and encouraged to share their insights with peers in both small group and large group discussions. Course content includes Character and Conscience, Sin and Forgiveness, moral decision-making in relation to one’s Catholicity. Relative issues in Social and Personal Sin, especially those centered around human life, will be explored as they relate to the present lived reality of Catholic moral thought.

Issues in Social Justice - 1221 0.5 Credit Single Term | Grade: 11

This single term course of the Junior year familiarizes students with the need to connect Christian belief with Christian action and seeks to expand their knowledge of Christian principles as applied to society today. Catholic social teaching is analyzed in detail, urging students to critique the underlying “profit-motives” of society as it obstructs the broader Christian values of compassion and justice. This single term course is an important academic component for the student’s Christian Service requirement.

God and the Good Life - 1450 0.5 Credit Grade:

12

Church History - 1225

1 Credit Grade: 10

This course studies in depth the development of the Church during its first millennium of existence. In doing so, it broadens the student’s understanding of Jesus as the Living Presence at the very center of the Church, and the struggle of each age to understand Him. Centered on the Easter Event, the student then

Using the spirituality of St. Augustine as a foundation, this Senior Theology course examines various ways human beings search for meaning and happiness. Augustine’s Confessions and life serve as a gateway for students to examine the ways we search for God and how God searches for us. The course delves into some of life’s deeper issues like finding hope amidst suffering, discernment and decision making, and developing a capacity for resilience