Theology 11 Christian Morality and Social Justice
Instructor & Contact Information:
Ms. Kat Morris and Ms. Julianne Staley
Theology Department
615.822.2375
kat.morris@jp2hs.org or julianne.staley@jp2hs.org
Course webpage: Teacher webpage via JPII
Course Descriptions:
Morality:
Roman Catholic Christian Morality challenges the students to consider key moral issues and dilemmas that arise within
the psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions of individual and community life. From the perspective of
Roman Catholic Christian morality, the focus is upon such concepts such as faith, virtue, law, freedom, sin, conscience,
moral assent and moral decision as well as other key theological and moral concepts as they arise within human
relationships.
Roman Catholic Christian Morality Course further challenges students to demonstrate their understanding of the interface
of psychology, moral concepts & issues and moral decision making through use of a varied methodology that uses
primary source, general case and autobiographical study materials. The course curriculum is designed to deepen student
appreciation for the theoretical and practical components of the key role of Catholic Christian morality in enriching one’s
individual and communal relationships throughout life.
Social Justice:
Social justice challenges the students to consider what it means to do justice and to live justly within the context
of a global world community. As members of many, varied communities, the students will consider the biblical and Roman
Catholic foundations for a Christian understanding of and commitment to justice. Special attention will be given to the
Roman Catholic Church’s social teaching as articulated in papal encyclicals, conciliar documents and in the teachings of
the USCC of Bishops and other world wide regional bishops’ councils. Students will be challenged to move beyond the
individual behavior dimension of justice to an understanding and critique of doing and living justice in wider social
structures and institutions.
Summed up in nine major social justice principles, the Church’s major social justice teachings are specifically
presented for student investigation and discussion through major issues such as national and worldwide poverty, hunger,
racism, sexual identity, the environment and special groups seeking justice. The effects of these issues on institutions and
structures such as education, employment, health care and social services will be considered. The course will challenge
the student to take responsibility for his/her own attitudes and actions in developing a moral, compassionate social
justice perspective as well as help the students' to evaluate one's call to live and do justice in relationship to others and
to the environment.
Major Course Units:
Semester 1: Morality Themes
Dates
Introduction to Catholic Morality
4 weeks
Ethics, Virtue/Happiness
Nature, Development and Role of Conscience
4 weeks
Core Elements of the Moral Act, Evil
Moral Decision Making Method
Law, Responsibility, Freedom in Morality
4 weeks
What is justice? Types of Justice
3 weeks
Intro Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Discrimination
2 weeks
Semester 2: Social Justice Themes
Dates
Poverty (International/Domestic)
4 weeks
Racism
3 Weeks
Sexism and Heterosexism
3 weeks
Sexual Morality
Dignity of Life
5 Weeks
Death Penalty, War
Beginning and End of Life Issues
Section 7: Environmental Justice
2 weeks
Assessment Types and Forms for
Theology 11: Christian Morality and Social Justice
Type
Homework
Description
Daily work
designed to help
students explore
and review
concepts while
also improving
their problemsolving skills.


Assessment Form
Concept Check Quiz. These quizzes
are related to the reading.
Case Study Assignments. The
students will be asked to read,
reflect upon & evaluate a moral
dilemma based case study and to
answer questions that demand use
of pre-discussed concepts and
developing decision making skills.
Class Case
Studies or
Unit
Assessment
Explorations of
concepts.

In-class component where students
will work individually or in groups to
respond to a media moral dilemma,
a media summary piece or case
study. Responses may be orally with
group presentations or in writing
with an individual or group written
assignment.
Unit Tests
Multiple-Choice,
Matching,
True/False, Short
Case Response

The ability to use knowledge about
the content to answer multiplechoice style objective questions is
one of the important skills that must
be developed in order to be
successful in college courses and in
other test (SAT, ACT)assessments.

“Essay” Test questions are the Home
Assigned or In-Class Case Study
Questions that allow students time
to process, evaluate and write up
their responses.
The in class final exam will be
objective exam style much like
section tests except longer. Final
exam essays will be like the section
text essays done prior to the actual
exam.
Exams
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam

In its own
category,
the exams
count 20%
of the
semester
grade each
term