Theology 2​ - ​Moral Theology 

Mr. Martinez
Google Classroom Codes
1B: 5rqcsho, 1G: 37lcjbm, 6:B lwlngzj, 6G: p7pjn4k, 7B: hvgeoyb, 7G: bcngbca
Zoom Meeting ID: 793 841 7261 Password: Martinez
 
Course Description 
This course introduces students to Catholic ethical tradition.  Through the study of 
various ethical elements along with Church Law students will develop the critical skills 
necessary to make an informed moral decision.  A study of Christian morality is an 
essential part of any course of study that seeks to describe the teachings of Catholic 
Faith.  The course provides the high school student with the major principles of Catholic 
moral theology and the specific teachings on many important moral issues.  It provides 
moral decision making methods to help students form their consciences and guide them in 
making moral decisions.   
Students will be challenged to understand terminology: Ethics – “why” we do what 
we do and, Morals – “what” do we do in specific situations as faithful people.  Students will 
have a deeper understanding of factors that help to fully develop conscience.  The 
students will be able to explore the Catholic Christian way of life as shown through the 
Roman Catholic tradition. 
Students explore life, sexuality, bio – ethical issues and other related topics 
through the reading of various documents from the Magisterium, Scripture, ​Catechism of 
the Catholic Church,​ other assigned readings, case studies and film.  To facilitate this, 
students will work in a variety of formats: pairs, small groups, large group discussion, 
required day long retreat and personal reflection.  Prayer, reflection, reconciliation, and 
other centered community service and incorporated to enable the student to deal with 
the complexity of society today. 
 
Essential Questions 
● What type of person do I really want to be? 
● How can Jesus help me be the person I want to be? 
● How do I decide what’s right and wrong?  
● How can I use the Church’s moral teachings to help me? 
 
Course Outcomes 
Content: ​You will be able to: 
1. Identify​ the Scriptural roots of Catholic Moral teachings 
2. Articulate​ a comprehensive personal morality 
3. Investigate​ the process of formation of conscience in the Catholic Tradition  
4. Discuss​ the Church’s position on modern social issues 
5. Define​ human responsibility to bear witness to the truth 
6. Synthesize​ the role of sacraments and prayer in pursuing a moral life 
 
 
Skills: Y
​ ou will be able to: 
1. Extrapolate​, from rich texts such as the Bible, key theological and moral ideas and 
relate these ideas to your own experience 
2. Interpret​ scripture to address current issues of importance  
3. Articulate​ “what exactly is happening” in concrete moral situations 
4. Debate​, from a full – knowledge standpoint, critical social issues of the day 
5. Employ​ decision making processes to have the ability to breed more successful 
choices.  
6. Write​ well-developed arguments, supported by relevant evidence, leading to 
logical conclusions 
7. Develop​ contextualized questions that further the thinking and discussion of the 
key ideas 
8. Collaborate​ with others to ​problem-seek ​and ​problem-solve 
9. Demonstrate​ an understanding of the points of view and values of others 
 
Major Course Assessments 
● One Comprehensive Final Examination  
● Quizzes 
● Short essays and reflections 
 
Major Resources/Texts 
● The New American Bible (The Catholic Youth Bible) 
○ USCCSB 
● The Four Gifts​ by Fr. Joe Bradley 
● Just Mercy : a Story of Justice and Redemption. New York :Spiegel & Grau, 2014. 
Available on ​Apple TV​ and ​Amazon Prime​ for rental ($5.99)  
● “Juno.” Halfon, Lianne, et al. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2008. 
Available on ​Apple TV​ and ​Amazon Prime​ ($3.99) 
 
Grading 
80% Class Participation , Journal, Assignments, Tests, Projects  
20% Final Examination 
 
Units 
Unit 1 - Foundations of Catholic Ethics and Morality 
Unit 2 - Applied Ethics: Bioethics 
Unit 3 - Applied Ethics: Substance Abuse 
Unit 4 - Applied Ethics: Sexual Morality 
 
Academic Honor Code  
The school honor code will be strictly enforced. Any unapproved use of electronic 
translators will be treated as an honor code violation. See the code ​HERE​. 
 
Pictures, Videos, Audio Recordings School Policy 
The Junipero Serra Student-Parent Handbook outlines an explicit policy regarding the use 
of technology in the classroom - including but not limited to your personal technology 
devices, smart phones, and music and recording devices. Cell phones, smart phones, iPods 
and iTouches must be silenced and out of sight unless they are required by a teacher for 
an educational purpose. The student's personal technology device must be used in a 
manner consistent with the School Acceptable Use Policy. Students may not use any 
device to take pictures, videos or audio recordings at any school event unless previous 
authorization has been granted. Students who film photograph or record anything 
without expressed consent from a teacher or administrator will be subject to immediate 
suspension and/or expulsion. 

Electronic equipment (cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, tablet computer, 
laptops, etc), portable listening or recording devices (MP3 players, iPods, etc), cameras or 
other photographic equipment, devices that can access the internet, and any other 
electronic or communication devices are not allowed in your possession during tests. 
Students will be responsible for storing their phones at a location in the classroom 
designated by the teacher. After devices are collected if a student is found to have a 
device in his possession he will receive a zero grade on the test. 

Students are not permitted to leave the classroom with their phones during class time. 
The teacher will set up a location for storing phones while students are out of the 
classroom. 

Students are responsible for retrieving their own devices from the teacher. Likewise the 
teacher is not responsible for any damage that might occur to the ​phones while they are 
being stored. 

 
Wired Headphones & Other Similar Listening Devices 
As stated in the Student-Parent Handbook, wireless headphones, earbuds and similar 
technology are prohibited. Students can use ​wired​ headphones for educational purposes 
in class with teacher permission.  
 
Class Rules 
Classroom behavior should be consistent with that of a college preparatory school. 
 
Homework 
Homework and class assignments will be assigned regularly. The purpose of homework is 
to support the work that is done in the classroom. Students are expected to complete and 
turn in all assignments on time through Google Classroom. 
There is no extra credit work and late assignments will not receive credit​. 
 
Grades  
Grades will be based on the standard Serra High School grade scale and weighting. 
Major/summative assessments will be measured against a rubric that will be given at the 
time it is assigned.  
 
Attendance 
Attendance is mandatory and so is the makeup of missing assignments. If you are having 
technical difficulties, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the teacher 
and school. Having technical difficulties is not an excused absence. If absent the student is 
responsible for checking Google Classroom to see what he has missed and to make up all 
work on the day of returning to school. In the case of an absence due to a school activity, it 
is the responsibility of the student to find out what work is due and be prepared for the 
material on the day of return. 
 
Distance Learning Protocols 
● Video on 
● Position your device / camera so it captures your entire face and shoulders 
● Raise hand or use raise hand tool before speaking 
● Unmute only when called upon 
● Avoid distractions: No phone, No eating, No gaming, No family interruptions, etc. 
● Virtual backgrounds are acceptable, but they should not be inappropriate or 
distracting