Curriculum Detail

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Theology

Wholeheartedly supporting the school’s philosophy, the Theology Department seeks not only to foster an intellectual awareness of the essential elements of the Catholic faith, but to lead each student toward a consciousness of her personal relationship with God which she is called to live out through active involvement in service to her community. Through a study of Scripture and tradition, the Church and sacramental life, and by a careful examination of values and moral issues, students are challenged to develop mature faith convictions. The Theology Department enables the young women of Immaculate Heart to realize, share, and celebrate their gifts, while recognizing their responsibility for and connection with all of human life and creation. Students are urged to become women of great heart and right conscience, to live Gospel-centered lives patterned after the vision of Jesus, to think broadly and to question liberally in their pursuit of wisdom and truth, so that their religious education will lead them into a growing realization of their call to "live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly" with their God, with creation, and with the whole of the human community.

  • Community Service 09

    Note: Enrollment in Community Service is required of all students each year. Students are required to complete 25 hours of service each year.   The Community Service program encourages a life-long commitment to Christian values through a personal discovery of what it means to give of oneself in compassionate service to others. The program is integrated into the Theology Department’s curriculum at each grade level, and provides an opportunity for a student to broaden her perspective in her relationships with God and neighbor, while maturing in her faith journey through hands-on experiences with those in need. Each student is encouraged to address issues that are important to her, and to use her gifts and talents to serve others through her religious community, the non-profit organization of her choice, or in club or class-sponsored events.

  • Community Service 10

    Note: Enrollment in Community Service is required of all students each year. Students are required to complete 25 hours of service each year.   The Community Service program encourages a life-long commitment to Christian values through a personal discovery of what it means to give of oneself in compassionate service to others. The program is integrated into the Theology Department’s curriculum at each grade level, and provides an opportunity for a student to broaden her perspective in her relationships with God and neighbor, while maturing in her faith journey through hands-on experiences with those in need. Each student is encouraged to address issues that are important to her, and to use her gifts and talents to serve others through her religious community, the non-profit organization of her choice, or in club or class-sponsored events.

  • Community Service 11

    Note: Enrollment in Community Service is required of all students each year. Students are required to complete 25 hours of service each year.   The Community Service program encourages a life-long commitment to Christian values through a personal discovery of what it means to give of oneself in compassionate service to others. The program is integrated into the Theology Department’s curriculum at each grade level, and provides an opportunity for a student to broaden her perspective in her relationships with God and neighbor, while maturing in her faith journey through hands-on experiences with those in need. Each student is encouraged to address issues that are important to her, and to use her gifts and talents to serve others through her religious community, the non-profit organization of her choice, or in club or class-sponsored events.

  • Community Service 12

    Note: Enrollment in Community Service is required of all students each year. Students are required to complete 25 hours of service each year.   The Community Service program encourages a life-long commitment to Christian values through a personal discovery of what it means to give of oneself in compassionate service to others. The program is integrated into the Theology Department’s curriculum at each grade level, and provides an opportunity for a student to broaden her perspective in her relationships with God and neighbor, while maturing in her faith journey through hands-on experiences with those in need. Each student is encouraged to address issues that are important to her, and to use her gifts and talents to serve others through her religious community, the non-profit organization of her choice, or in club or class-sponsored events.

  • Cont Moral Issues

    In this course, students will address the enduring dilemma, “What is the right thing to do?” Through hypothetical scenarios, current events, tv/film (both fiction & non-fiction), various ethical theories in the Western philosophical tradition, and the radical teaching of the New Testament, students will engage this question with academic rigor.  Particular focus will be given to the fundamental dignity of the human person, identity, virtue, freedom, moral duty and justice.

  • Contemporary Moral Issues/The Paschal Mystery

    In this course, students apply their knowledge of Scripture and Church teaching to their daily lives. Addressing the enduring question, “What is the right thing to do?”, they are challenged to work through hypothetical scenarios, current events, tv/film, using various ethical theories in the Western philosophical tradition, together with Jesus’ radical teaching in the New Testament. Particular focus will be given to the formation of conscience, the fundamental dignity of the human person, virtue, freedom, moral duty and justice. The course moves on to the question, “What is a good way to live?” as students experientially explore the goodness of Creation and the unfolding mystery of God’s grace in their lives. Students are encouraged to recognize that in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the life story of each one of us is revealed. Through the study of Catholic writers such as Thomas Merton, Julian of Norwich and Antoine de St. Exupéry, together with prayer experiences, and reflection exercises, students explore the universal call to holiness and the many ways in which all are invited to respond to God’s love and compassion.

  • Foundations of the Catholic Faith

    This course will provide an overview of the Catholic Faith to provide foundational knowledge and background in regards to the Catholic faith.

  • Justice and Peace

    This course examines various philosophical and theological approaches to justice and peace, encouraging students to inform their consciences as prospective graduates of IHHS and as responsible citizens.  Catholic Social Teaching in its biblical and historical context will be highlighted and the role of faith in civic life will be considered.  Matters such as law and amnesty, privilege and inalienable rights, violence and peacemaking, wealth and poverty, retributive and restorative justice, and the tension between church and state will be explored, particularly in regard to New Testament mandates.  What, for example, is the appropriate punishment for a convicted felon in light of the Gospel commandment to ‘love your enemy’?

  • Justice and Peace/Women's Studies

    This course considers theological approaches to justice and peace, encouraging students to inform their consciences as responsible citizens and people of faith. The biblical and historical roots of Catholic Social Teaching will be highlighted, and the role of faith in civic life will be considered in-depth. Themes such as the dignity of every person, the rights of workers, colonialism and economic development, peace and disarmament, protection of the environment and the option for the poor and vulnerable will be explored. Recognizing that women are still engaged in the struggle for basic human rights, the course examines the root causes of marginalization, and considers systems of power and oppression from a variety of perspectives. The class also explores the theological and social implications of the worldwide devotion to Mary. Students will reflect on their own experience as high school seniors while they develop plans for self-care, and wellness in college. Stories of their own foremothers provide resources for growth, renewal, wisdom, resistance and the creation of a more just society.

  • Religions of the World

    This course can be taken as a semester or a full year.  This course introduces students to the world’s major religious traditions. We explore the histories, texts, beliefs, practices, values, and cultures associated with these traditions.  The first term begins with an examination of the concept of “religion” generally, a few archaic religions, and Christian perspectives on “other” religions. Then we turn to “Eastern” religions: primarily Hinduism and Buddhism, but also Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. The second term focuses on “Western” religions, primarily Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but also Zoroastrianism and Mormonism. Throughout both terms, we draw contrasts and connections between traditions, but our chief goal is a basic understanding and appreciation for each tradition on its own terms.

  • Religions of the World

    This course explores the practices, beliefs, histories, texts, values, and cultures of some prominent religious traditions. The first semester begins with an examination of the concept of “religion” generally and two so-called “indigenous” traditions. Then we focus on Hinduism and Buddhism, with some attention given to Jainism, Confucianism, and Daoism if time permits. The second semester covers the three major “Western” religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Our unit on Christianity focuses on Christian approaches towards non-Christian religions. Finally, students do further research on a religious studies topic of their choice. Throughout the course, we draw contrasts and connections between traditions, but our chief goal is a basic understanding and appreciation for religions on their own terms, respecting their internal diversity and historical complexity.

  • The Paschal Mystery

    Experiencing God through the goodness of creation and the unfolding of God’s grace in our lives is a primary focus of this course, which encourages students to recognize that, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the personal life journey of each one of us is revealed. Through study, prayer experiences, and reflection exercises, students will come to understand the universal call to holiness, and the various ways that all are invited to respond to God’s love and compassion, especially in times of pain and doubt. 

  • The Sacred Scriptures

    The first semester of this course gives students a general knowledge and appreciation of Sacred Scriptures. They will read the Bible both as inspired by God, and as the cultural record of our ancestors in faith. Students will become familiar with the major sections, literary genres, historical contexts, stories, and religious truth of the Bible. Special attention is paid to the Old Testament as it points to Jesus, the living Word of God. The second semester of this course introduces students to the person of Jesus Christ through the texts of the New Testament, in light of Catholic teaching. Students will gain an appreciation of Jesus’s ministry of healing and reconciliation, his vision of the Kingdom, and his identity as Redeemer and living Word of God as presented by the four Gospels. Through their encounter with Jesus, students will also explore their own calling and mission.

  • Vocations and Sacraments

    This course focuses on two ways in which Christians can experience God’s love - through God’s calling (Vocation) and God’s grace in the world (Sacraments). The universal vocation to love (agape --> "goodwill") and to serve others is based on the scriptural proclamations that "God is Love" ( I John 4:16), and the commandment of Jesus to ”love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). In this section of the course, students will reflect on the various ways God calls people to live out their vocations. In the second part of the course, students will explore the Catholic sacramental view of reality that "Earth's crammed with heaven" (E.B. Browning). The seven Sacraments of the Church celebrate this reality through symbol and ritual, while at the same time providing experiences of transformative encounters with the Divine.

  • Women's Studies

    This course is designed to study women and their experiences from various perspectives: theological, mythical, psychological, sociological, and historical. How do women define themselves in relationship to men, to society, to God, and to the earth? What are some of the common stereotypes that continue to distort the perception of women? What is the role of woman in the world today? Students are given opportunities to explore these and other current issues, to listen to the wisdom of the generations of women who have preceded them, and to complete a twelve-week project that focuses on some aspect of their personal spiritual growth. 

Contact

5515 Franklin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

hello@immaculateheart.org
Phone: 323-461-3651

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A Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Immaculate Heart has been located on a beautiful hillside property in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles since our founding by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1906. We celebrate more than a century of nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, social and moral development of students as they distinguish themselves as women of great heart and right conscience.