Apologetics & Church History II

 

Course Description

 

This course is a perfect addition to home school courses or public school. Modeled upon Kolbe Academy's outstanding curriculum, this high school theology course familiarizes 9th-12th grade students with Church History from the Council of Nicea to the Counter Reformation, focusing on the development of doctrine.  The Course is divided into four quarters with each focusing on a particular period and its doctrinal controversies and developments.  The original writings of those engaged in these controversies and developments will be our guide.

The first quarter of the course focuses on the late patristic period from the First Council of Nicea in 325 to the Second Council of Nicea in 787.  The second quarter of the course examines developments through the Carolingian Period to the beginning of the High Middle Ages.  The third quarter of the course focuses on the high Middle Age with special emphasis on the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.  The fourth quarter of the course will take us into the Catholic Counter Reformation.

Throughout the course, we will also be studying the contents of Catholic Apologetics by Fr. John Laux.  The lessons in that text have been arranged to match up thematically with the other readings.  Relevant sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be assigned as well.

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Course Objectives

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This course will enable the student to: 

• Be able to “give a reason for the hope that is in you,” by studying the scriptural & rational bases that support Catholic doctrine & practice

• Gain exposure to the writings of great saints & theologians who have had a significant impact on the development of Catholic thought

• Study the organic development of the Church’s teaching

• Become familiar with the early Fathers & their works, particularly as they contributed to the unfolding of Catholic Doctrine & Sacred Tradition

• Apply Christian principles faithfully as a result of studying & understanding the living tradition of the Church & seeking the intercession of saints of the period

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Course Texts

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• The Holy Bible. Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition. Ignatius Press. 

• Catechism of the Catholic Church. Liberia Editrice Vaticana and United States Catholic Conference, Second Edition. 

• Catholic Apologetics by Fr. John Laux. Tan Books 

• The Catholic Catechism by Fr. John Hardon, S.J. Doubleday. 

• The History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium

 

Course Levels

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• Standard 

• Honors: In addition to the standard requirements, students taking this course at the Honors level will be assigned additional reading assignments from Church documents and will be expected to write longer weekly essays. 

 

Course Instructor

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Mrs. Juliana Lerner

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Course Format

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This class will be offered in an online format in addition to the day school classes offered at St. John Bosco High School's campus. Bi-weekly live classes with the instructor will assist students as they work through the material. Students should plan to work on the reading, written, and online assignments four days a week. Assignments will be submitted via Jupiter grades and/or emailed to the instructor. Typing skills are needed. 

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Course Schedule: Academic Year 2020-2021

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First live class with instructor: Tuesday, September 8, 10:57-11:46 am

Live class schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays

      Cost: $300 per student per semester (September-December; January-May)

                Auditing option (recorded only) available for age 14-100 for $200 per student

                                   per semester.

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Contact the school for more information and to register your student.