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DO410CE Introduction to Catholicism





The Introduction to Catholicism course presents students with a comprehensive overview of the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. It offers students a theological foundation. As well as building on the basic tenets of the faith offered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the course aims to empower students for future catechetical and ministerial service.


Course Syllabus

Course Objectives and Goals:

  • To introduce students to the teachings of their Roman Catholic faith
  • To build student confidence for discussing and defending the teachings of the Catholic Church
  • To relate course content to their future catechetical and ministerial work
  • To inspire students to listen to, appreciate and challenge views/opinions not their own and to dialogue with others concerning sensitive areas of personal belief
  • To allow students with a more limited or less extensive formal education to enter the world of academics in a supportive and non-threatening way

 

Prerequisites

None

 

Required Texts and Resources

  1. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults. Available free online in English and Spanish at: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/us-catholic-catechism-for-adults. Hard or paper copies may be purchased from a number of online vendors including Amazon.
  2. Catechism of the Catholic Church. Available free online in English and Spanish at: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM. Hard or paper copies may be purchased from a number of online vendors including Amazon.

 

Class Topics

  1. Introduction to DO 410CE; Faith and Belief in an Era of Unbelief; Catechisms and the Church.
  2. Divine Revelation; Proofs for the Existence of God; The Canon of Scripture; Salvation History; God the Father.
  3. God the Son: The Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ.
  4. God the Holy Spirit; A Brief History of the Catholic Church.
  5. Introduction to Eschatology: The Resurrection of the Dead, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and the Final Judgement; Divine Worship; The Sacramental Life of the Church
  6. The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
  7. The Sacraments of Consecration / Service: Matrimony and Holy Orders.
  8. Christians and the Moral Life; Introduction to the Decalogue; The First Commandment.
  9. The 2nd through 5th  Commandments
  10. The 6th through 10th Commandments
  11. Prayer and the Devotional Life of the Roman Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints.
  12. Our Universal Call to Holiness.

 

6) Course Evaluation

  • Student participation in Forum Discussions will be graded PASS or INCOMPLETE / INADEQUATE.
  • Student Reflection Papers will be graded HIGH PASS or PASS or INCOMPLETE/ INADEQUATE
  • A mid-term examination will be administered in Week Six to include all the material in Weeks One through Six.
  • A final examination will be administered after Week Twelve to include all material presented in Weeks Seven through Twelve.

Course Additional Information

For Men in Formation

Introduction to Catholicism offers inquirers and aspirants a theological foundation for their admission into their future candidacy theology courses. As well as building on the basic tenets of the faith offered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the course aims to empower aspirants for future catechetical and ministerial service, and above all for preaching.

Course instructors will afford special attention to those students with limited academic experience and/or those who have not been engaged in academic work for a while.






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