Conscience Formation and Morality Theology III

Mrs. Jeanne Mazzariello Spring 2010

Text:
Pennock, Michael. Your Life in Christ:Foundations of Catholic Morality. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press,
2001

Supplementary Texts:
• Encyclicals and Documents of the Catholic Church
• Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1994
• The New American Bible, Fireside Edition. Wichita, KS: Catholic Bible, 1991.

Supplementary Videos:
• Godspell Pam Stenzel: Sex Has A Price Tag
• City of Joy Crossroads – A Story of Forgiveness
• The Mission

Purpose:
This course presents to the student the major principles and traditional teachings of Catholic morality. It
provides a method of moral-decision making through critical thinking to help students form a Christian
conscience and to guide them in making moral decisions. This course introduces moral issues facing the
Christian in the twenty-first century and uses a seminar format that is based on a cooperative learning model. A
major emphasis is placed on primary sources, including encyclicals, and those individuals working toward
solutions to the issues studied.

Objectives: The student will be able to:

• Define Christian morality with it’s basic foundation rooted in the intrinsic value of human life;
• Articulate Roman Catholic teaching on moral issues as presented in Papal Encyclicals, pastoral documents,
and the Catechism of the Catholic Church;
• Develop greater understanding of the Christian vision of morality, with Jesus as the model of full
humanness and morality;
• Learn how to follow a process of moral decision-making that incorporates the gospel, Church teaching and
other available sources and models;
• Develop an understanding of conscience formation, including the role of freedom and law; sin and
reconciliation;
• Recognize the Ten Commandments and the theological virtues as the foundation for respect for self and
others with particular focus of the gifts of life and sexuality;
• Know that she is called to grow as a mature Christian and responsible world citizen;
• Further develop critical thinking skills so as to deepen awareness, discover compassion, develop
responsibility, and act conscientiously;
• Continue to grow in understanding the Roman Catholic faith through the celebration of the sacramental life,
Sacred Heart devotion, the liturgical year and prayer;
Conscience Formation and Morality Theology III
Mrs. Jeanne Mazzariello Spring 2010

Personal and School Policies:

• Students are expected to be prompt, attentive, and respectful in class. Students are encouraged to participate
in class discussions.
• Please refer to the handbook for school policies regarding tardiness, absences, and make-up work.
Generally, when a student is absent, she is to see me the day she returns to school. A student will normally
have one cycle to turn in late work and to make-up tests or quizzes.
• Homework will be graded on quality, neatness and effort. It should be handed in during class on the day
that it is due. Late assignments will be marked down one letter grade for each day late.

Evaluation:
• Tests will be a combination of both objective and essay questions. Quizzes will always be announced.
• Students will have essay assignments based on either personal reflection or a researched topic.
• Students will be assigned an annotated bibliography as a major research project (see above).
• A student’s final grade will be calculated using the following scale.

− Participation (1 major grade)

− Refection Papers (1 major grade each)
− Major Projects (each = 1 major grade)
− Homework and class participation average (1 major grade)
− Quiz Average (1 major grade)

Additional Information:

• Conscience formation and morality deal with very sensitive issues, which require listening, patience, and
informed judgments, as well as honesty and conviction. It is important to be open and respectful of the
opinions of others, and also to be careful to distinguish the difference between opinion and principle when
evaluating a moral issue. The textbook, and the school, represent a clearly-defined Catholic/Christian
position, justified by a traditional foundation in natural law and scriptural precedent; this requires
considering moral issues from a context that extends beyond the contemporary situation or individual cases,
which often engage our emotions most deeply. It is a hope and a goal of this course that the class will grow
in sensitivity and tolerance for each other and these moral issues as a result of our shared exploration and
discussion.

“ whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,
if there is excellence and if
there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing the things that you have
learned and received and heard and
seed in me, and the God of peace will
Conscience Formation and Morality Theology III
Mrs. Jeanne Mazzariello Spring 2010
be with you.”
(Philippians 4:8-9)