Catholic Social Teaching

As a Catholic high school rooted in the Ignatian tradition, we are called to help our students to work for peace and justice. Each of these courses is influenced by this aspect of the Grad-at-Grad. The Society of Jesus emphasizes that walking with the excluded in a mission of reconciliation and justice is an apostolic imperative. For our students, this means we educate them to better understand that being a Man for Others is not simply an exercise in charity; ours is a faith in action that works for justice and peace.
 

This course examines the human history of African Americans in the United States over the past 400 years. An elective, this course provides students with a fuller picture of the important contributions of African Americans while examining the various systemic issues they have faced along their American journey. Students study the political, economic, cultural, intellectual, aesthetic and religious contributions of African Americans and their struggle from the time of slavery to present day America. Included are the major events in African American history, as well as people who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the African American people and their culture. Throughout the course, the text is supplemented by additional sources such as maps, music, specific books and movies, and the internet. Guest speakers and group discussions also serve to help deepen students'
understanding of African American history in our country.
 

This year-long class is modeled after a first-year college-level English course. Students explore issues related to the complex facets of human identity. The primary modes of operation for this exploration will be writing in a variety of compositional styles and reading from a selection of diverse fiction and nonfiction, in traditional and non-traditional forms. The course’s two strands operate cooperatively. Much of the focus of this course is on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in relationship to the themes of Catholic social teaching, as well as the mission of Saint Ignatius High School. Through close reading, critical thinking, and process-based writing, students are challenged to identify, understand, and appreciate the many differences that make people who they are.

Since 2008, Saint Ignatius and Walsh Jesuit have partnered to deliver a unique service-learning program in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The program consists of a rigorous academic curriculum of two team-taught courses delivered by Saint Ignatius and Walsh Jesuit faculty coupled with lectures by Queen’s University (Belfast) professors. Students complete daily reflections coupled with a meaningful cross-community service project. The program structure utilizes the Ignatian pedagogical method of context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation. The Summer Program cultivates the understanding, knowledge, skills and attitude change that will enable participants to partake in conflict transformation and social justice initiatives at a local, national, and international level.