When Sophomores in Ms. Donnarummo’s Theology classes study the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, they demonstrate their aptitude by creating a breaking news article.  Newspapers are completed with an article, game, and even advertisements!

This course presumes a blank slate of knowledge and seeks to ensure that students end their freshman year with not only an understanding of what the Catholic Church believes in and why, but also how its foundation lies within the Hebrew scripture. Students are challenged to look at and explore the implications of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, as well as learn to integrate Sacred Scripture into their prayer life and moral decision-making.

Building upon the foundation established in their freshman year, this course offers an in-depth look at God’s revelation in the New Testament. By spending the year studying the person, role, nature and message of Jesus Christ, students will learn not only the implications of Jesus’ life on the people of His time, but also the implications for us as a society as we accept the call to carry Jesus’ mission into the world. This course will emphasize the development of Christology from the first century to the modern age and explore how the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles illustrate the role of the early Christian community in the formation of the Church.

Recognizing the complexity of living in our current age, this semester course provides students with the tools to live out a moral life. The curriculum focuses on applying the Church’s moral teachings to contemporary life, with a focus on the topics of decision-making, conscience, honesty, laws, virtues, vices, etc. Students will learn how to live out God’s call and bring their unique perspective into the world to make it a better place.

Recognizing the Christian call to act on behalf of the marginalized, this semester course offers the opportunity to take the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching and apply them to the contemporary problems of society. With an emphasis on reflection, judgment, and action, students will not only recognize the difficulties the world is facing, but be empowered to make change where possible. Topics included but are not limited to: capital punishment, caring for God’s creation, the dignity of work and rights of workers, euthanasia, prejudice and discrimination, racism, and the right to life.

This semester course examines Christian vocations and God’s universal call to holiness. In the words of Pope Francis, “To be saints is not a privilege for the few, but a vocation for everyone.” Students consider what it means to really live life as a Christian. Topics include, but are not limited to: vocations, discernment, the sacraments of marriage and holy orders, the Christian perspective on the family and its importance in society, the consecrated life, love, one’s prayer life, and the development of virtue.

This college-level semester course examines the origin and expression of the religious impulse from pre-history to modern times. Emphasis is placed on defining religion in general and a study of the world’s major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Each religion is examined from the viewpoints of theology, cosmology, history, anthropology, and sociology. Students are eligible to apply to receive 3 credits from Sacred Heart University. Prerequisite: Approval from the department chair

This college-level semester course examines profound philosophical and theological questions through ancient and contemporary primary sources spanning the Catholic intellectual tradition, with an emphasis on the interrelation of faith and reason. Students are eligible to apply to receive 3 credits from Sacred Heart University. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chair.

This semester course offers the opportunity to discover different methods of prayer that students can incorporate into their own spiritual journey. Students will utilize meditation and contemplation, with an emphasis on the experience of prayer to allow them to encounter the Sacred in their lives. The curriculum is split between experiencing prayer and studying the Bible to consider what it reveals about prayer. Students will consider what it means to be a disciple in the modern world and how prayer can help heal strained relationships

Designed to help students develop and practice leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom. The course focuses on how the scriptures and the Gospels play a role in our lives and the practical ways we can bring these messages to our world. Students will be challenged to construct and coordinate service projects within the community, demonstrating their effective leadership skills. Students will develop their counseling techniques, group dynamics, and public speaking by working with outside organizations and helping the community. Prerequisite: Application, interview, and approval from the Director of Campus Ministry.

The semester course focuses on the key Catholic approaches to health care ethics and issues. Topics include the history of the Church’s medical ethics, ethical methodologies, the development of virtues and key medical ethics issues including reproductive technologies, abortion, genetic engineering, cloning, death and dying, euthanasia, the role of physician as healer, and organ donation. Prerequisite: Approval from the department chair.

This semester course is designed to help students develop religious literacy in accord with the directive of the Second Vatican Council declaration Nostra Aetate to examine the Church’s relationship to non-Christian religions with the intention of “promoting unity and love among men.” Students will identify the similarities and differences between Catholicism, other Christian denominations, and religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism and how to respectfully navigate these differences.