Are science and religion enemies, strangers, or partners? We investigate this fundamental question in a semester-long course that introduces the philosophical, theological, and ethical relationship between science and religion. Both science and religion are quests for understanding that fundamentally shape our world, but these disciplines ask different questions and follow different methods. While they may appear to conflict, closer examination reveals room for a deeper engagement through fruitful dialogue and constructive integration. Students will grapple with several of the “big questions” which animate the relationship between science and religion, like: “Does the universe have a purpose?” “Is faith compatible with evolution?” “Does science make belief in God obsolete?” and “What does it mean to be human?”
Religious Studies 477: Ecological Justice and Spirituality
This semester-long course will explore connections in religious experience, social justice, and spirituality that we discover through the study and experience of nature. We study the natural world- and our place in it. That leads to a creative response (literature and art), a spiritual response (prayer and connection with the divine), and an ethical response (stewardship). Students will experience nature first-hand through weekly field trips, read texts that examine the quest for meaning through nature, and begin (or continue) their own journey of becoming stewards of creation.
Engineering
Engineering consists of the application of scientific knowledge in the creation of useful products. This course acts as an introduction to the concepts and methods of engineering with an intensive hands-on laboratory/workshop component. Students will be expected to conceptualize, design, build, and debug a variety of projects, working independently or in collaboration with other students. Units of study vary by semester, allowing students to take either or both semesters in a single year, and may include mechanical, electrical, robotic, computer, aeronautical, automotive, acoustic, naval, civil, fluid and/or chemical engineering. Several off-campus field trips to visit engineering sites or companies may be required. (Since engineering is not, strictly speaking, a science, this course does not qualify as a UC-approved lab science.)
Advanced Science Research Project
(Physical or Life Science) Students perform one or more additional independent science or engineering research projects, beyond those completed in the first semester Science Research Project course, or perform a substantial extension of a project completed in the previous course. This is an independent study course, with flexible meeting times that will be arranged to fit the schedules of the students. This course is taken in addition to the science requirement for graduation. Enrollment in Advanced Science Research does not qualify a student for a study period during the regular academic day.
*Taken as an independent study with the guidance of science teacher
Advanced Journalism
Advanced Journalism is an 8th period course in which students will learn the skills necessary to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the school newspaper of St. Ignatius, Inside SI. The primary objective of this class is the publishing of six issues of Inside SI. As such, students will be involved in all areas of publication production, including creating the master schedule, generating feature topics, determining content, supervising reporters in each department (Affinity, Arts, Feature, Humor, Op-Ed, Outside SI News, SI News, Sports, and Spotlight), writing articles, editing, laying out pages for each issue, and overall design. In the process of generating content, writing their stories, and laying out newspaper pages, students will learn to use specialized software for word processing, page layout, graphic design, and distribution management. Students enrolled in this course will practice effective collaboration skills, lead training sessions, and will work to ensure Inside SI reflects the diverse and unique voices of all members of the SI community. Credit for this class will be included in the SI GPA calculation.
Enrollment in this class is subject to Moderator Approval. Individuals who apply for and are accepted as Editor-in-Chief during the Spring semester will be enrolled by the moderators during the Fall semester of the school year.
*This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day, 8th period ONLY: This class meets weekly to discuss journalism topics and conduct planning for issues. During the two weeks prior to each issue’s production, students will meet every day after school for approximately 3 hours.
Social Cognitive Psychology
Social Cognitive Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes, information processing and group dynamics. Students will investigate how our brains let us “see” the world, how our perceptions depend on our current state of attention, and how memories can change over time. As we seek to better understand the human mind, we will discuss language abilities and the power of social influences. Students will look at mistakes that people make, from simple visual illusions to errors in higher-level decision-making, and will discuss how these “failures” provide unique insights into the mechanisms of human thinking and even mental disorders and their treatment.
Journalism
Journalism is a year-long 8th period course in which students will learn the skills necessary to serve as Managing Editors for the school newspaper of St. Ignatius, Inside SI. The primary objective of this class is the publishing of six issues of Inside SI. As such, students will be involved in editorial decisions, including determining content, supervising reporters in their section (Affinity, Arts, Feature, Humor, Op-Ed, Outside SI News, SI News, Sports, and Spotlight), writing articles, editing, and suggesting lay out for pages in each issue. Students enrolled in this course will practice effective collaboration skills (both on-line and in-person) and will work to ensure Inside SI reflects the diverse and unique voices of all members of the SI community. Credit for this class will be included in the SI GPA calculation.
Enrollment in the class is subject to Moderator Approval. Individuals who apply for and are accepted as Managing Editors the previous Spring semester will be enrolled by the moderators during the Fall semester of the school year. Students will meet regularly each week.
*This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day, 8th period ONLY : This class meets weekly to discuss journalism topics and conduct planning for issues. During the two weeks prior to each issue’s production, students will meet every day after school for approximately 3 hours.
Social Movements and Social Justice Honors
This course is an introduction to the social movements of the “Long Sixties” (1945 – 1975), with emphasis on the Freedom Movements of Black Americans, Chicano & Latinx/Latiné communities, Asian-Americans, American Indians, Feminists, LGBTQ communities and other racial, ethnic or cultural communities worked toward freedom and equality. Students will identify and evaluate the core tenets of specific social movements including leadership, organization, strategies, accomplishments, and limits. Familiarity with US History is presumed. Students will also assess contemporary movements to ultimately define “freedom” for themselves. Course methodology includes: lectures, class discussion, films, group work, unit response papers and a final paper comparing and contrasting social movements.
The honors curriculum for this course will include additional components to add depth and complexity to assignments, readings and response papers. The Honors final response paper will require further research of modern social movements outside of the curriculum of the class.
Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Economics Honors
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of economic theory and practice. Students develop a working definition of economics, undergo an extensive introduction to supply and demand and laws that relate to supply and demand. They also are exposed to the variety of political systems and their effect on economic theory including socialism, capitalism, and communism. Types of businesses are explained including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. The pros and cons of each type of organization are discussed. Other important concepts are explored including pricing, gross national product, inflation, taxation, and selected economic indicators.
The honors curriculum for this course will require college-level economics research papers as well as participation in an outside experience (e.g. an interview).
Class receives honors weighing in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Economics
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of economic theory and practice. Students develop a working definition of economics, undergo an extensive introduction to supply and demand and laws that relate to supply and demand. They also are exposed to the variety of political systems and their effect on economic theory including socialism, capitalism, and communism. Types of businesses are explained including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. The pros and cons of each type of organization are discussed. Other important concepts are explored including pricing, gross national product, inflation, taxation, and selected economic indicators.