Departments & Faculty

The Marin Catholic curriculum is designed to provide a challenging, college prep experience for all of our students.

Department

Theology

Theology 12 (P): Christian Apologetics

In order to be intellectually serious, Christianity must have answers to secular challenges. After completing Logic coursework begun in Theology 11, this course will continue to build on that philosophical framework by transitioning into a seminar-style class. This seminar will examine various topics foundational to Christian life: objective truth, moral relativism, faith and reason, God’s existence and nature, Christology, and vocations. These topics are intended to help students analyze and strengthen their relationship with and public witness to the reality of the living God. The course is tailored to meet the needs of the intellectually curious and to foster personal trust. The grade consists of public personal reflection, graded class discussion, group presentations, and oral exams.

Students who meet the prerequisites will have the opportunity to opt into Honors during the first week of classes. Students who opt for Honors will be assigned additional reading and have more opportunities for extended learning to engage more deeply with the material. This commitment is for the entire year. Students are not able to drop at any time.

Prerequisites: B- or higher in every semester of Theology 9-11 and an A- average or higher in Theology 11.
Theology 9: Introduction to Faith and Catholicism

This course is designed to assist the adolescent student in his/her transition from elementary concepts of God and religion to a more mature recognition of those concepts. Students are introduced to the basic message of Catholic Christianity as it is revealed in the person and mission of Christ. The core beliefs and practices, including the Sacraments of the Catholic Church and Christian morality, are explored in great detail. In the spring, this course contains a family life component, which serves as an introduction to moral decision-making and the Judeo-Christian view of sexuality. Finally, a significant component of this course is focused on understanding the Catholic moral foundation of the virtues and being a Eucharistic people that underlie our commitment to doing Christian Service.
Theology 10 (P): The Bible: New and Old Testament

This course will explore the history, development, and themes of the Old and New Testaments, focusing on God’s continual invitation to enter into a loving relationship with Him. Using the Bible and other readings, students will learn to interpret Scripture according to Church principles. Discussion, reflection, research, a study guide, and group projects will enable students to see how they can apply the truths of the Bible to their own lives. A significant aspect of this course is learning what the Bible says about why we serve people in need.
Theology 12 (P): Christian Spirituality

This course studies the heritage of Catholic spirituality, particularly the different ways throughout history that people have sought and have come to know God. In addition to building on the Logic coursework begun in Theology 11, students will delve into the great spiritual classics of the last two thousand years and study them in light of their historical, cultural and theological contexts to gain an understanding of the principles of spiritual growth that have shaped our Catholic heritage. A principal goal of the course is to equip students to become responsible for their own spiritual and intellectual development and to foster an ability to speak about the spiritual life with clarity.

Students who meet the prerequisites will have the opportunity to opt into Honors during the first week of classes. Students who opt for Honors will be assigned additional reading and have more opportunities for extended learning to engage more deeply with the material. This commitment is for the entire year. Students are not able to drop at any time.
Prerequisites: B- or higher in every semester of Theology 9-11 and an A- average or higher in Theology 11.
Theology 11 (P): Moral Theology

In this course, students will study such topics as objective truth, Christian anthropology, the Church’s Social Doctrine, and moral virtues, which are applicable to their own personal growth and decision-making. These principles are rooted in the teachings of Christ and the rich philosophical tradition of the Catholic Church. Particular emphasis is on the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John Paul the Great. Through readings, class discussions, projects, and papers, students will learn to apply these principles in their daily lives. This class emphasizes personal character development and an active concern for the common good. Finally, a significant component of this course is focused on understanding the theological and moral implications of doing Christian Service.
Theology 12 (P) Theological Investigations

In this class, students will be challenged to examine exactly what they believe about God and the Church, why they believe, how they can live a mature faith, and how to respond to the challenges presented by an increasingly secular culture. Students will examine such topics as God’s existence, faith and reason, moral relativism, comparative religion/philosophy, prayer, vocations, the problem of evil, and eternal life. These topics are intended to help students strengthen their relationship with God in college and beyond. The material presented is tailored to meet the needs of the intellectually curious and fosters personal trust as class participation and shared personal reflection play a significant part in the seminar style of learning. A principal goal of the course is to equip students to become “auto-didacts” responsible for their own spiritual and intellectual development and to foster a habitus of informed inquiry. An important component of the course is student driven questions and a Socratic, conversational approach to difficult questions.
Honors Theology 12: Christian Spirituality

In Honors Theology 12: Christian Spirituality, students will study the heritage of Catholic spirituality, particularly the different ways throughout history that people have sought and have come to know God. Students will delve into the great spiritual classics of the last two thousand years and study them in light of their historical, cultural and theological contexts to gain an understanding of the principles of spiritual growth that have shaped our Catholic heritage. This course is tailored to meet the needs of the intellectually curious and to foster personal trust as class participation and shared personal reflection play a significant part in the self-paced and mentor-guided style of learning. A principal goal of the course is to equip students to become responsible for their own spiritual and intellectual development and to foster an ability to speak about the spiritual life with clarity. Prerequisite: A true desire to go deep in theology. This will move at an honors level pace and require honors level work.