I. Course Content
II. Materials
III. Procedures
IV. Important General Information re. Progress in RS 7 & 8
V. Extra Credit Opportunity
VI. Links
Course Content
A basic assertion of the Christian faith is that God has
revealed Himself to his people. God’s saving interaction with and fidelity to
His followers will be demonstrated by means of key texts from the Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures). Within that context, the Temple will be discussed and
investigated as a place of privileged access to God.
The study of the Temple will function as preparation for a
careful reading of the Acts of the Apostles during the second semester. Acts
will, in turn, bring us to an understanding of Jesus Christ – as he is known
through the Church – as the definitive revelation of God to his
people. In the process, topics such as the liturgical year, basic church
practices and the Catholic Liturgy and Sacraments will be
examined in some detail.
Additionally, the topics of self-esteem, peer pressure and substance abuse will be explored in an age-appropriate manner.
Materials
The Catholic Youth Bible (Winona, MN: St. Mary's Press, 2000). Must be purchased in the McQuaid Bookstore since all eighth graders need to use the same edition with the same pagination.
Student Workbook (one per semester, purchased in bookstore and brought to class with the Bible every day)
Pocket Folder or Binder (for handouts, supplemental reading and course materials. For use exclusively in Religious Studies class).
NOTE: the student is responsible for keeping and maintaining a neat and complete Workbook together with all additional handouts, course materials, corrected tests and quizzes. Maintenance of the Workbook will be factored into the student's average for the course. The student is required and expected to bring all of his course materials to class each day.
Procedures
The student in Religious Studies 8 may anticipate:
* a minimum of two full-period Tests per marking period.
* at least one Quiz per schedule cycle.
* nightly homework
N.B. In general, no late assignments will be accepted in Religious Studies 8. Homework is to be completed neatly, accurately and on the night it is assigned.
Some Important General Information Regarding Progress in RS 7 & 8:
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Religious Studies 7 & 8 are production-oriented classes. Seldom is it that a student has difficulty with the concepts and ideas covered. The vast majority of student problems stem from poor organization and/or from a failure to do the nightly homework carefully and completely.
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If there is one area where most of the grade 7 and grade 8 students fall short it is in a failure to spend time reading and reviewing for tests and quizzes. By and large, many of our students see the words “study” and “review” as neon signs blinking garishly on and off with the message – No Homework.
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The majority of the written work done in Religious Studies 7 & 8 is done in the student notebook/workbook. The first step for parents concerned about their son’s progress in Mr. Clar’s class is to look through that notebook. Parents should check to see that the pages are completed neatly/legibly and that the responses are framed in complete sentences with supporting evidence where required. No knowledge of the subject matter is necessary to perform such an inspection. Common sense should be enough to guide one in such a perusal.
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Bear in mind that since Religious Studies meets every-other-day, there will by necessity be fewer grades at the end of the marking period than there may be in your son’s other classes. That being the case, every assessment that he does here is of the utmost importance. Only a few poor grades can have an enormously negative impact on his final marking period average. Consistency is important in any academic class. It is, however, a matter of survival in Religious Studies.
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Homework in Religious Studies is updated and posted daily on the web (click on the appropriate tab found on the navigation bar at the top of this page). When checking the homework page, please be sure to know on what day (odd or even) in the cycle your son’s Religious Studies class meets. The assignments are listed by year and by odd or even day number within each year. This is a good way for you to stay abreast of your son’s assignments, due dates and the dates for upcoming tests or quizzes.
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Homework in Religious Studies should be done on the night it is assigned so that the student can see Mr. Clar the following day with any issues or problems. This will also help to avoid missing work due to absence. Students are also expected to make up any quizzes or tests etc. missed due to absence the day they return to school or to see Mr. Clar that day to make alternate arrangements.
Extra Credit Opportunity
* For the Religion in the News EXTRA CREDIT opportunity requirements click here.
Some Links of Interest Related to Coursework
Electronic New Testament Resources
Catholic Resources for the Bible and the Mass
New Testament Gateway
Bible Atlas Online
New Advent - Catholic Encyclopedia & General Resources
PBS Video, From Jesus to Christ
Christus Rex - Repository of Christian Art
Catechism of the Catholic Church
New American Bible Online
New Revised Standard Translation Online
The Catholic Pages - General Resources
Jesuit Resources on the web
Official Vatican Website (click on "English")
Resources related to ACTS and the Gospels
Catholic Teaching on Social Justice (documents & general information)
Resources and links relating to the Catholic Mass & Roman Catholic Lectionary
The Parts of the Mass explained briefly and depicted in images
Medieval Art
Saints & Angels
The Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) Fan Club (Just for Fun!)
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Sacred Space (Daily Prayer online) by the Irish Jesuits
Universalis (Catholic liturgical & devotional materials online)
