Theology
Theology at Episcopal is an academic discipline that exposes students to the Abrahamic heritage that undergirds Western civilization. It also teaches the analytic skills that allow one to wrestle with the human quest for meaning as a lifetime venture. Through exposure to classical as well as contemporary attempts to discern meaning, students find models for approaching the essential questions of life. As sophomores, students generally take a Biblical Theology course that covers the fundamentals of the Old and New Testaments. As seniors, students choose from a variety of electives that treat a broad array of religious and philosophical study.
Requirements: 1 credit
Entering 9th and 10th grades must take Biblical Theology (one-half credit) during their 10th grade year. During the 12th grade year, students select a semester elective (one-half credit) offered by the Theology Department to complete the full credit required. Exceptions may be given for students taking four years of choir, dance, percussion, or wind ensemble (three years for incoming 10th graders). Biblical Theology may then be "bumped" to the first semester of the 12th grade with no additional senior theology required. Seniors taking six year-long academic courses may also take one of the following courses for dual credit: Ethics: Science & Society, Narratives of the Holocaust, or Greek.
Course Offerings Below
| Biblical Theology (0.5 credit, fall or spring) 9th, 10th |
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| This course surveys the Bible: Old and New Testaments. It examines the biblical history of Israel and its religious development, and studies the life and teachings of Jesus and the early church's view of his importance through an in-depth study of one of the gospels. Further study includes the Acts of the Apostles and selected readings from the Pauline epistles. |
| Ethics: Science & Society (0.5 credit, spring only) 11th, 12th |
| This elective course will explore the role of ethics in socioscientific contexts. First, students will examine ethics and science as systems of thought and action, distinguishing normative ethical perspectives (deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics) and exploring how trustworthy science depends on adherence to an ethical framework. With this foundation, students will analyze the role of ethics in several socioscientific contexts, including: university-level scientific research; medical practice; the use of genetic technologies; global problems (ex., pandemics and vaccination, plastic innovations/waste, climate change), and advancing technologies (ex., AI, space exploration). This course may be taken for dual credit to fulfill a science elective and the senior theology elective. |
| Narratives of the Holocaust: Resistance, and Human Courage (0.5 credit, spring only) 12th (For seniors enrolled in six year-long courses, this course can be taken for dual English and Theology credit.) |
| This course examines the Holocaust (Shoah) through the lens of biographical storytelling. It will focus on the various ways in which an individual's story can be shared (e.g., literature, art, museum exhibits, podcasts, etc.). The focus of these stories will revolve around themes of resistance, resilience, and human courage. Students will explore individual narratives through survivor memoirs, graphic novels, podcasts, museum exhibits, including extensive resources from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the USC Shoah Foundation, and theological texts. By engaging with these diverse forms of storytelling, the course emphasizes the historical significance and deeply personal impact of the Holocaust, transforming this monumental history into relatable human experiences. Regular discussions will foster dialogue and deepen understanding of the Holocaust through the intimate lens of individual lives and stories. For non-senior students, the month of May will be dedicated to studying the art of the personal essay, including specific instruction of the college essay. |
| Religion and Music: An International Perspective (0.5 credit, fall only, not offered in 2026-27) 12th |
| In this course, students will explore the ways in which artists respond to major global events and concerns, as well as how these artists infuse Judeo-Christian themes into their responses. Through the study of various musical art forms, students will gain insight into how artists provide commentary on various aspects of life and how text and music are merged to provide social commentary. Previous experience with musical performance, including the ability to read music, is not required or expected. The course is open to all students who have an interest in exploring the intersection of music and social issues. |
| Senior Biblical Theology (0.5 credit, fall only) 12th |
| This senior only course surveys themes in the Bible: Old and New Testaments. It examines the biblical history of Israel and its religious development, and studies the life and teaching of Jesus and the early church's view of his importance. It covers themes of holiness, justice, prophecy, theodicy, wisdom, and mission. The course is only for seniors who have not yet taken Biblical Theology. |
| Rule of Life (0.5 credit, spring only) 12th |
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This course explores what has led some of the deepest religious thinkers in history to leave their busy lives behind, find barren places, and seek out the true meaning behind their lives. Whether it is Abraham from the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus in the New Testament, the forest monks in Hinduism, Siddhartha Gautama in India, desert mothers and fathers in 3rd century Egypt, or ancient and modern day monastics, humans have taken time and created tools of examination to discern their life's path. These tools help them to intentionally order their lives according to their beliefs. These tools were created to ask the deeper questions that students will confront: What matters to you most? How does your life connect to that value? What keeps you from connecting to what you value? How might you order your life differently going forward? |
| World Religions (0.5 credit, fall or spring) 12th |
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This class is designed to introduce students to five world religions and to develop the ability to analytically and thoughtfully study belief systems. We will also be looking into the future of religious thought, and some contemporary questions that have arisen in today's world. Our main areas of study will include Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. |
| Worship Practices of World Religions: Divine Diversity (0.5 credit, fall or spring) 12th |
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In this course, students will explore the worship practices of various religions, including but not limited to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and more. Through the study of these practices, students will gain an understanding of the role of worship in different religious traditions, as well as the ways in which worship practices reflect and shape the beliefs and values of a given religion. By the end of the course, students will have gained a deeper understanding of the significance of worship in different religious traditions and the ways in which it shapes our understanding of religion and spirituality. |
| Greek 1 (0.5 credit, fall only) 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th |
| This elective course will begin with basic elements of the language, from the alphabet to basic noun and verb inflections. It will introduce ancient Greek and the history, culture and literature of ancient Greece and its reception in modern times. No previous knowledge of Greek or Latin is assumed, though students interested should have some experience in the study of another language. This course does not fulfill the language requirement at EHS. Meets senior theology requirement. |
| Greek 2 (0.5 credit, fall only) 11th, 12th Prerequisite: Greek 1 |
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In this course, students will focus their energy almost entirely on the fundamentals of the Greek language, using the Athenaze series as a primary resource. Using the storyline of this text, we will consolidate our grasp of the history and culture of 5th century BCE in Greece. This course does not fulfill the language requirement at EHS, but it does meet the senior theology requirement. |
| Advanced Greek 2 (1.0 credit, full year) 11th, 12th Prerequisite: Greek 1 |
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This course is a continuation of Greek 2. Advanced Greek Studies will provide a survey of Classical Greek history, readings of representative samples of major literary genres (epic, drama, etc.). It will then begin with basic elements of the language and cover Greek reception in other subjects such as history, theology, math, and the sciences. Advanced Greek Studies will provide the skills of close readings of ancient Greek literature, prepared oral presentations, and an understanding of the basics of philology and inductive logic in analyzing literature and history. This course does not fulfill the language requirement at EHS, but it does meet the senior theology requirement. |
