The Catholic Diocese of Columbus has established the Religion Graded Course of Study (COS). Through this course of study, we will “announce the essential mysteries of Christianity, promoting the Trinitarian experience of life in Christ as the center of the life of faith” (General Directory of Catechesis #33). Our content standards and objectives flow from the General Directory for Catechesis and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The General Directory for Catechesis gives us the vision for catechesis today, while the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an important resource in catechetical ministry.

Textbook used in class: “Creating a Christian Lifestyle” by Carl Koch and Virginia Pharr

St. Mary’s Press, Christian Brothers Publications

Winona, Minnesota; Copyright 1996

 Christian Living Goals

1. Students will understand and have some methods of coping with the opportunities, challenges, and developmental tasks facing them. (COS III:D)

2. Students will have a clearer understanding of four lifestyle paths-single life, married life, religious life, and ordained ministry. (COS III: D, IV: C)

3. Students will examine lifestyle issues and choices in light of the Gospel and the Christian tradition. (COS IV: D, IV: E)

4. Students will have an opportunity to better understand themselves and the rich possibilities of life according to Christ; they will value their own personhood more deeply and realize God’s love for them. (COS IV: E)

5. Empowered by their new understanding, students will be able to love others more fully and will seek peace and justice as part of their lifestyle. (COS IV: E)

Christian Living Objectives

1. To provide insights from the Christian tradition, the social sciences, and literature about the experiences, challenges, and opportunities of young adulthood and each of the four lifestyle paths.

2. To involve the students in activities of reflection and discussion designed to help them integrate the concepts in the student text with their own experiences.

3. To help the students articulate and examine their own personal stories so that they can dream about and build a full life in the future.

4. To provide additional activities to deepen the students’ understanding of the rich potential they have, especially when guided by the message of Christ.

5. To check the students’ knowledge and comprehension of the material through review questions, projects, quizzes, and tests.

Grading Scale and Points

First Quarter         Chapter 1 – 6        Possible 200 points per chapter = 1200 points for the quarter

Second Quarter        Chapter 7 – 15        Possible 200 points per chapter = 1200 points for the quarter

1200 point scale

A             1200 – 1120

A-           1119 – 1040

B+           1039 – 960

B             959 – 880

B-            879 – 800

C+           799 – 720

C             719 – 640

C-            639 – 560

D+           559 – 480

D             479 – 400

D-            399 – 320

F              319

Test and project dates are announced and given to the students one to two weeks before their due date.

All projects and assignments must be turned in on the date due and during your scheduled class period.

Late projects and / or assignments will be deducted one letter grade for every day it is late.