Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Educating students to be graduates who are...
Spiritually - People of Faith
Intellectually - Skilled Lifelong Learners
Physically - Healthy Individuals
Socially & Morally - Involved Citizens of the World
RELIGION IV ID
2011-2012
SYLLABUS
Religion IV: World Religions and Spirituality
MS. MARIA D.S. ANDRADE JOHNSON
E-mail: johnsonm@smhs.org
Office Hours: G118, Monday-Thursday 2:30-3:00pm, or by appointment.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Clemmons, Nancy, SNJM. Exploring the Religions of our World. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave
Maria Press.
Smart, Ninian & Hecht, Richard D. Sacred Texts of the World. New York: Crossroad
Publishing.
Selected readings and downloads from various texts to be assigned in class.
HOMEWORK
All students are enrolled in Learning Portal for Religion 4 Johnson.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines major world religions from an ecumenical perspective. Beginning with
the Eastern traditions, we will examine Hinduism and Buddhism before delving into the
Abrahamic traditions of Judaism and Islam. Students will examine major beliefs, practices, and
origins of each religion. By examining a variety of paths to personal spiritual growth, students
will form an intellectual basis for nurturing their own young adult spirituality. Additionally, they
will begin to familiarize themselves with varying ethical worldviews and begin to engage them
on a dialogical level.
The second semester of this course involves an exploration of various spiritual traditions and
practices. Students will have opportunities to learn about various forms of prayer, spiritual
practices of various Catholic mystics and saints, as well as spiritual writing. This semester
facilitates students' development of personal spirituality, an aspect foundational to the Christian
and especially the Catholic sacramental life.
PROJECTED COURSE SCHEDULE
Summative Assessment Dates are within 1-2 days of the posted date, due to block scheduling
and individual events that may occur in a classroom.
BEGIN
UNIT
TITLE
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS DUE
Aug 29
Sep 19
Oct 17
Nov 14
Jan 3
Jan 9
Jan 17
Jan 24
1
2
3
4
---5
Attitudes towards Diversity
Eastern Religions: Hinduism
Eastern Religions: Buddhism
Abrahamic Religions: Judaism
Safe Environment Week
Review Week
First Semester Final Exams
Abrahamic Religions: Islam
Sep 16
Oct 14
Nov 11
Dec 16
Jan 6
Jan 13
Jan 18
Feb 17
RELIGION IV ID
2011-2012
SYLLABUS
Feb 21
Mar 5
Mar 9
Apr 16
Apr 30
May 14
May 21
6
7
8
9
10
---
Models of Spirituality
Sensory Paths to God
Intellectual Paths to God
Contemplation and Mysticism
Social Activism
Student Presentations
Senior Final Exams
Mar 2
Mar 15
Mar 30
Apr 27
May 11
May 18
May 24
**Note: Descriptions and/or rubrics for summative assessments will be made available to
students on the first day of the unit. Unit summative assessments(including unit projects and/or
tests) will take place or be due on the last day of the unit as noted above. Should any changes
occur, the teacher will make a verbal announcements and provide an amended schedule.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Students will engage in monthly reflections on the relevance of service and discipleship as
they grow in awareness of its meaning in Christian life. These reflections will be coupled with
an active experience involving completion of 15 service hours. Each semester will culminate in
the composition of a reflection paper synthesizing their active and reflective practice.
NOTE: 60 hours of Christian Service must be recorded as a component of SMCHS
graduation requirements. Additional details are provided on the Christian service website.
Due dates as follows:
8 hours (with a reflection paper) will be due on December 2, 2011
7 hours (with a reflection paper) will be due on February 24, 2012