Freshman Religion
Syllabus/Requirements/Texts
September 2010
Michael J. Ortiz
Organization of Class
“What good must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mat. 19:16).
This course is organized on a quarterly basis. Each section studied during the year aims to help students understand and assimilate the Revelation of Jesus Christ in Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Catholic Church in its moral, doctrinal, and spiritual dimensions. We will be using as our main texts Faith and Revelation and The Blessed Trinity, both from the Didache Series published by Midwest Theological Forum. Each book is a semester-length source of material drawn from the Catechism and Sacred Scripture. Hence the first two quarters will cover Faith and Revelation, and the second two The Blessed Trinity.
We will also be reading the Gospel of St. Mark each day in class. Additionally, we will read at least two biographies so students can see in detail how the Gospel is lived with heroism and fidelity by the saints who not only model for us a holy life but also intercede for us along our own way.
Quarter One: Knowing God Through Natural Revelation, Reason, and Faith; Divine Revelation and Supernatural Faith; the Church Transmits the Revelation of Jesus Christ Through Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.
Quarter Two: Sacred Scripture: the Inspired Word of God. the Old Testament: God Reveals Himself to His People; Jesus Christ: the Fullness of Divine Revelation; the Church Transmits God’s Revelation.
Quarter Three: Faith and Revelation; Understanding the Trinity; God the Father; The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ
Quarter Four: Jesus Christ--True God and True Man; the Holy Spirit--the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity; the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother of Jesus Christ, God the Son.
Requirements
1. A neat, well-organized notebook will be 15% of the class grade. Class notes, definitions, historical outlines, prayers studied, and drafts of essays will be done in this notebook.
2. Quizzes on our reading of the Gospel of St. Mark will be 10% of the grade.
3. Tests will include memorization and essay, and will be 75% of the grade.
Texts
Faith and Revelation: Knowing God Through Sacred Scripture
The Blessed Trinity and Our Christian Vocation
The Gospel of St. Mark, (Navarre Bible 2005 edition)
Forget Not Love, Andre Frossard
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: An Ordinary Christian
Maria Di Lorenzo
