RELIGION DEPARTMENT
IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Course Code: HRE 401
Course Name: Church and Culture, Open, Grade 12
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Description/Rationale
This course has the aim of assisting students in understanding themselves as moral persons living the way of Christ
through an examination of ethical theories, the revelation of sacred Scripture, and the experience and teaching of
the Catholic Church. It engages students in critical reflection on significant contemporary moral and ethical issues in
Study
and
Expectations
include:
lightStrands
of Scripture, of
Church
teaching,
andOverall
important thinkers.
Social and ecological
justice issues are explored along
with a study of topics that focus on Christian mercy and forgiveness. The graces and challenges of relationships,
marriage, and family life are explored from a Catholic perspective. Students are challenged to articulate and adopt
the Christian stance in the political world.
Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
I. Scripture:


reflect on the message and importance of Scriptures in making moral and ethical decisions
apply Scripture to an analysis and critique of contemporary society
II. Profession of Faith:



define a Catholic understanding of happiness and explore the challenges in contemporary society to both
personal and the common good
apply the key tenets of Catholic social teachings (e.g., human dignity, solidarity, the common good, social
sin, the preferential option for the poor and subsidiarity) to issues of ecological and social justice
reflect on the lives of contemporary figures who fulfilled the call to participate in professional and political life
the common good
III. Christian Moral Development:


define the Catholic understanding of sin and reconciliation, both social and individual, and explore the
impact of sin on the human condition
evaluate contemporary ethical and moral issues in light of the Church’s moral teaching
IV. Prayer and Sacramental Life:


use various forms of prayer and ritual to express the spiritual implications of adopting a moral and ethical
stance
participate in various forms of theological reflection and prayer
V. Family Life Education:


identify how the “intrinsic dignity of each human person,” impacts on our inherent sense of responsibility
towards self and others
apply related Church teaching to values and practices that undermine the sacredness of life
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to ensure these
expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
UNITS OF STUDY:
1. Mapping the Ethical Experience
TEXTS AND RESOURCES:
Growing in Christian
Morality
2. The Naming of God and Ethics
3. “Where your Treasure Is, There
Your Heart Will Also Be”
4. Church: The Sacrament of God’s
Grace/Norms and Moral Living
Catechism of the
Catholic Church
Creating a Christian
Lifestyle
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including
video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of
print sources. The textbook will be distributed to
students during the first week of the course. The text
and all other resources assigned to students are the
responsibility of the student. Any damage incurred will
result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost
for the text will be posted in the classroom.
Evaluation Structure:
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
25%
25%
25%
25%
These are assessed in both term work and summative
work as follows:
TERM WORK - 70%
SUMMATIVE WORK – 30%
Culminating Task – 10%
+ Final Exam –
20%
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include
assessing work in process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations.
Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for
specific skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Category
Knowledge/Understanding:

Knowledge of facts & terms
 Understanding of concepts &
relationships
Thinking:

Critical thinking skills

Creative thinking skills
 Inquiry Skills
Communication:

Communication of ideas and information

Use of symbols & visuals
 Oral & written communication
Application:




Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Limited display of:
Some success in:
-knowledge and
understanding
-knowledge and
understanding
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-knowledge and skills
to make connections
between various
contexts
-knowledge and skills to
make connections
between various contexts
Considerable display
of:
-knowledge and
understanding
Thorough understanding of:
-knowledge and understanding
-critical and creative thinking
skills and/or processes
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-conveying of meaning through
various forms
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-knowledge and skills to make
connections between various
contexts
-knowledge and skills
to make connections
between various
contexts
Applications in familiar contexts
Transfer of concepts to new contexts
Making logical conclusions and
predictions
Use of technology
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like working independently, team work, organization, work habits and homework, and initiative
are assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the
following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues





LATE ASSIGNMENTS The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The teacher will establish a
deadline and an acceptance period of 2 school days following the deadline. The teacher will also allow for submission of assignments before the deadlines of
the acceptance period for the purpose of assistance in revising. If a student does not hand in the assignment by the deadline, a mark reduction will be applied to
the assignment submitted thereafter up to a total of 10%. If the assignment is not submitted by the end of the acceptance period the student will receive a mark
of zero. Refer to the Student Handbook for further details.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the rubric or
evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS. Teachers will give the class ample notice for up-coming tests/evaluations. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for an
alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with the teacher before the scheduled time for the test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a
legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the day of the student’s return) from a parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher
indicating that the parents are aware the student has missed a test. If a test is missed as a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with no
opportunity for a re-write.
PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question. Refer to the Student Handbook for
further details.
ATTENDANCE It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, at all classes and scheduled activities. Students
who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work when absent.