400
Is a work-experience opportunity with the purpose of expanding education by applying accumulated knowledge in catechesis. The availability of internships is limited to upper-level students, normally seniors with a 3.0 quality point average. Students are approved individually by the academic department. A contract can be obtained from the Career Planning and Services Office in Starvaggi Hall. Internships count as general electives.
For CAT majors only. Internships must be preapproved.
Will introduce the methodological principles of evangelistic catechesis that fosters Christian discipleship. This course will build teaching proficiency by examining principles such as: Christian anthropology and human learning as applicable to faith development, the selection of methods suited to communicating content, fruitful use of memorization, the proper role of experience, and the methodological vision of St. John Bosco. Students will build essential teaching skills such as writing objectives, lesson planning, storytelling, and related techniques needed by the catechist.
Will build upon the methodological foundation established in CAT 401 by considering two essential elements of the Catholic worldview and their impact on how we teach: beauty as a way to God and the liturgy as the locus of maximum encounter with God. Students will prepare to teach the content of the Faith in ways that make manifest its beauty (most notably by employing art, music, literature, and film) and by drawing upon the ritual texts of the Church’s liturgy—both of which are essential to a Catholic way of teaching and making disciples. Students will continue to grow in proficiency in lesson planning, oral presentation skills, and in the thoughtful engagement of methodological trends prevalent in the Church today.
Presents a survey of the elements and the content for each area of catechetical ministries in the Church, such as teaching in Catholic schools, RCIA, adult faith formation, parish catechetical programs, youth ministry, campus ministry, and others
Is focused on preparing a student for full-time professional work in the field of youth ministry. In addition to developing deeper insight into ways of ministering to youth (based on the principles studied in Youth Ministry I Foundations of Catholic Youth Ministry ), this course also looks at recruiting and developing volunteers, dealing with teens in crisis situations, and the common challenges youth ministers face when working in parish and diocesan environments. Enrollment is restricted to students in the Youth Ministry Concentration.
CAT 310 and
CAT 311. For CAT majors in the Youth Ministry Concentration only.
Is an opportunity for students to experience the many facets of full-time professional youth ministry and discern whether or not this ministry is right for them. Students are required to do a six-week internship at a Catholic parish that has a full-time youth minister and an active youth ministry program.
For CAT majors only.
Is designed to be proximate preparation for entry into the professional catechetical field. This course will be a survey of administrative, management, personal and public relations, leadership, policy, legal, and professional development topics from a Gospel perspective for the purpose of facilitating a successful transition to a parish or diocesan position within the Church.
Senior status
Is designed to assist students in the proximate preparation for entrance into the professional catechetical field. This class meets once a week for discussion and practical application (doctrinal and pastoral) of the theoretical content and methods learned in the theology and catechetics courses. The majority of the credit hours are earned through the assigned catechetical fieldwork. This course will expose students to actual catechetical opportunities in local Catholic schools and parish based ministries such as PSR, junior high and high school youth group, RCIA and other adult education opportunities.
Will apply the principles of catechesis specifically to the high school classroom setting. Students will learn to teach for understanding of the Mystery of Christ and for conversion to the person of Christ through discussion and practical assignments related to the following topics: (1) The Church's vision of the mission of a Catholic school; (2) Crafting lesson plans, assignments, and tests, for students of varied abilities and learning styles; (3) Developing classroom management policies and procedures; (4) Navigating relationships with students, parents, faculty, administration and parish/diocese.
Is the capstone experience for the CAT major. Students may choose between doing a scholarly thesis paper on a catechetical topic, or doing an in-depth catechetical presentation. This paper/presentation should be reflective of the particular field of catechetics in which the student would like to do ministry.
Is the capstone experience for the CAT major. Students may choose between doing a scholarly thesis paper on a catechetical topic, or doing an in-depth catechetical presentation. This paper/presentation should be reflective of the particular field of catechetics in which the student would like to do ministry.