Courses

A survey of computer technology in society. This one-semester course provides an introduction to essential principles of computers and computer science. Topics include networking, internet, hardware, computer graphics, and an introduction to programming. Students will gain practical knowledge of each of these topics as they examine the effects of technology on the individual human as well as society as a whole. Students will gain extensive experience as they learn basic programming techniques using conditionals, loops and functions with Python.

Health & Wellness is a one semester requirement that is part of the school's overall commitment to providing students with ongoing opportunities to learn about health-related topics and to reflect upon individual decision-making in the context of the BCP community and beyond. The emphasis of the program is to promote balance, safety, self-reflection, and the skills to navigate various situations and decisions that students may encounter throughout their teenage years. A major goal of the course is to build healthy communities where individuals look out for one another and feel empowered to make healthy decisions. Topics of the course include Adolescent Development, Identity, Physical Health, Relationships, Communication, Consent, Substance Use, Sexual Health, Technology & social media influences.

Bellarmine's Department of Fitness and Health is designed to help students become aware of living a healthy lifestyle. The program provides each student an opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities and to learn necessary skills, strategies, and other information important to lifetime wellness.

All students must complete two semesters of departmental coursework for graduation:

• Mandatory: 1 semester Health Class (to be taken sophomore year)
• Second semester can be completed with one of the following:
  • 1 Elective F&H course
  • Athletic Waiver: Complete 3 years of sports. If the athletic waiver is not completed by the start of senior year, students must be enrolled in an F&H elective class during senior year.

Requirements

This Fitness and Health requirement may be taken prior to senior year. It may be fulfilled by fully participating in three years of Bellarmine interscholastic (i.e., non-club) sports by the completion of the junior year and submission of an Athletic Waiver.

• 1 Semester Sophomore year (Health)
• 1 Semester Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year (one semester-long Fitness & Health elective) OR Athletic waiver

* Not all Fitness and Health course offerings fulfill this requirement, therefore it is important to review the comments included with the description of each elective to determine its applicability. This one semester-long elective may be waived by fully participating in three years of Bellarmine interscholastic (i.e. non-club) sports by the completion of the junior year.

Perhaps the most documented claim about Jesus of Nazareth is that He so closely associated with the marginalized and those considered "outcasts." However, so often the voices from oppressed ethnic communities are suppressed and unheard in terms of their struggles and how it has shaped their spiritual journeys. This course aims to build in students a sense of solidarity with these oppressed communities and build their responsibility to be allies of the oppressed in working for liberation and the building of the Kingdom of God. This course will attempt to draw students into an analysis of spiritualities/theologies arising from varying oppressed ethnic communities including the African American Experience, Latin American Experience, and Asian American Experience (includes Chinese American, Filipino American, Japanese American, Korean American, South East Asian, and Vietnamese American). The intent is to lift these voices from the underside creating a better understanding of faith in action. Envisioned are students who leave this course more truly committed to being for and with others (Pedro Arrupe, SJ).

Stars, Galaxies, and The Universe is an introductory semester-long course that focuses on stars, galaxies, and other phenomena located outside the solar system. Students will learn more about a wide variety of topics including light, telescopes, the Big Bang Theory, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Course material will be presented through lectures, classroom discussions, online simulations, telescope-based laboratory activities, and student projects.