Aided by the specific contributions of philosophy and theology, [...] scholars will be engaged in a constant effort to determine the relative place and meaning of each of the various disciplines within the context of a vision of the human person and the world that is enlightened by the Gospel, and therefore by a faith in Christ, the Logos, as the center of creation and of human history. -John Paul II

LAS 090: Chorus. “To sing well is to pray twice,” St. Augustine observed. The desire to worship and praise God fittingly has inspired some of the most beautiful music in history, including the sublime psalmody and hymnody of Gregorian chant. This course introduces students to chant notation and simple pieces of music drawn from the riches of the Church’s musical tradition. This course may be taken pass/fail to satisfy the Academy's music requirement, or in conjunction with Liturgy for the Laity for academic credit.  (1 Credit, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: none. Liefländer.)

LAS 091: Introduction to Fine Arts. This course presents students with an overview of the development of the Fine Arts in Western Culture, starting with primitive art, and moving through Greco-Roman Art, Medieval Art, the Renaissance and Baroque, and the Modern period. Students will deepen their appreciation for the Fine Arts by copying some of the great masterpieces in drawing format, with guidance from the instructor. Two tours of art collections will also be part of the program. (1 Credit, Fall. Pre-requisite: none. Staff.)

LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum. This course requires extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical production. Students must complete at least 45 hours of work on such aspects of the production as stage management, costume direction, and acting. Competence in the selected area must be demonstrated. (1 Credit, Fall/Winter, until play presentation. Pre-requisite: none. C. Schintgen.)

LAS/LIT 106: Introduction to Drama. This course involves extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical production, as per LAS/LIT 095, as well as readings, discussions and applications of theoretical approaches to drama, and workshops on dramatic technique. (2 Credits [includes LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum], Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum.)

LAS/THE 107: Liturgy for the Laity. The Second Vatican Council teaches that “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the font from which all her power flows.”  Unfortunately, as the present Pope observed while still a Cardinal, “Liturgical education today, of both priests and laity, is deficient to a deplorable extent” and the area of liturgy is “one of the clearest examples of the contrast between what the authentic text of Vatican II says and the way in which it has been understood and applied. (Second Vatican Council). This course will examine the liturgy while emphasizing how and why the laity should direct all their activity toward the liturgy as the “summit” of their lives, and how and why the liturgy may give power to all the ordinary activities of daily life. (3 Credits [includes the credit for chorus], Full-Year. Co-requisite or Pre-requisite: LAS 090: Chorus. Nicholson/Pelton.)

LAS 121: Latin I. Students are introduced to the basic grammatical principles of Latin and acquire a basic vocabulary. The fruits of one’s labours are quickly seen as students begin to translate passages from the New Testament. (4 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: none. Zakrzewski.)

LAS 123: French I. The course assumes no previous knowledge of French. Basic grammatical structures are taught, reinforced through listening, speaking, reading and writing. The basic text will be supplemented with repetitive oral exercises, real conversations, songs, proverbs, maxims, riddles, etc. The course includes a strong cultural component.  (4 Credits.  Not offered 2011-2012.)

LAS 150: Psychology.  This course will introduce to the student the major subfields of psychology including Biopsychology, Cognitive psychology, Social psychology, Clinical psychology, Developmental psychology and Health psychology.  The study of these fields of inquiry will cover a review of the role of research and the areas of learning, memory, sensation, motivation, emotion and related topics of personality, psychological disorders and their treatment.  (3 Credits, Full-Year.  Pre-requisite: none. Gignac. Next offered 2012-2013.)

LAS 180: Introduction to Studio: Design. An introduction to two-dimensional elements of design and visual problem-solving. (3 Credits. O’Brien.  Not offered 2011-2012.)

LAS 181: Introduction to Studio: Painting. Aesthetics and techniques are examined through the study of various traditions and approaches to painting. Visual vocabulary and formal compositions are developed through practical application in studio projects, and reviewed through critical assessment. (3 Credits. O’Brien. Not offered 2011-2012.)

LAS 190: Voice I. Twenty-five minutes of private voice lessons a week for 28 weeks.  Adapted to appropriate level. (1.5 Credits, Full-Year. Liefländer.)

LAS 191: Instrument I. Twenty-five minutes of private Piano or Organ lessons a week for 28 weeks.  Adapted to appropriate level.  (1.5 Credits, Full-Year. Liefländer.)

LAS 194: Ecclesiastical  Schola. One hour of practice of vocal music a week, and some singing at Academy functions. (1 Credit, Full-Year.  Pre-requisite: LAS 090.  Liefländer.)

LAS/THE 207: Liturgical Theology. In addition to the requirements for Liturgy for the Laity, students will make a particular study of Church teaching concerning music for the liturgy. Special attention will be given to Church documents devoted to the subject, such as Tra le Sollecitudini—Instruction on Sacred Music (1903) and Musicam Sacram—Instruction on Music in the Liturgy (1967). (3 Credits. Full-Year. Nicholson.)

LAS 221: Latin II. Students rapidly review the grammatical principles taught in Latin I, and then go on to complete the grammatical study of Latin. More emphasis is placed on reading, which focuses upon the New Testament, but includes selections from a variety of other sources. Intensive study will be made of the final sixteen chapters of John F. Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. (4 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: LAS 121: Latin I or permission of the instructor.  Zakrzewski.)

LAS 223: French II. This course is designed for those students who have some French and intend to use it for scholarly research or other practical applications. Emphasis will be on developing vocabulary and mastering reading skills through the study of selected texts of graduated complexity. Although stress will be on acquiring a passive rather than active command of French, the spoken and written language will be used as much as is practicable. The course will include a comprehensive review of French grammar along with practical written and oral exercises. Required texts: Sandberg & Tatham's French for Reading (Prentice Hall), Schaum's Outline of French Grammar, 4th edition (McGraw-Hill). (4 Credits. Pre-requisite: French I or at discretion of instructor. Not offered 2011-2012.)

LAS/THE 224: Introduction to New Testament Greek I.  “Latin-speaking men, whom we have here undertaken to instruct, need two other languages for a knowledge of the Divine Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek, so that they may turn back to earlier exemplars if the infinite variety of Latin translations gives rise to any doubts,” says St. Augustine. By drawing upon the grammatical knowledge already acquired in the Academy’s Latin courses and concentrating upon the vocabulary that is most frequent in the New Testament, students will, after a brief introduction to Koine Greek grammar, begin reading the New Testament with the help of lexical aids. With practice, the students will begin to appreciate the nuances present in the original text of the New Testament that are not always evident in translation. This course will enable students to read through the New Testament in the original language while consulting Kubo’s A Reader’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Substantial portions of the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John will be read in this course.  (3 Credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: LAS 221: Latin II or permission of the instructor. Nicholson.)

 LAS/THE 226: Introduction to New Testament Greek II. “If I had been a priest I should have made a thorough study of Hebrew and Greek so as to understand the thought of God as he has vouchsafed to express it in our human language.”  St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Building upon the grammatical knowledge, reading skills, and vocabulary learnt in Introduction to New Testament Greek (I), students will, by the end of this course, have read through the Gospels of John and Mark and will have a grammatical knowledge and vocabulary sufficient to re-read these Gospels with a minimal use of outside aids, and so retain what they have learned. (3 Credits, Winter. Pre-requisite: LAS/THE 224: Intro. to New Testament Greek I or permission of the instructor. Nicholson.)

LAS 251: Developmental (Child) Psychology and Early Learning. This course will consider the major themes in developmental psychology from the prenatal to prepubescent period. Theoretical approaches to cognitive/intellectual, social, moral and sensory development will be explored. Contemporary controversial issues in child development will be addressed and an overview of developmental disabilities will be presented. Basic research and observational approaches will be presented and students will be expected to engage in the practical observation and study of children. (3 Credits. Full-year. E. Ring- Cassidy.)

LAS 260: Principles of Economics. The purpose of this course is threefold: i) at the microeconomic (bottom up) level, to extend the student’s understanding of human nature to describe individual economic activity in the context of a free market; ii) at the macroeconomic (top down) level,  to provide an introduction to how the principles of economics may be used to describe the overall functioning of the entire society; iii) to identify and clarify the underlying linkages which connect the micro and macro economic perception of economic reality described in modern economic theory with the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. (3 Credits.  Pre-requisite: Students must have second-year standing. Farrell. Not offered 2011-2012.)

LAS 290: Voice II. Twenty-five minutes of private voice lessons once a week for 28 weeks; same as Voice I, but with much more application to varied literature.  Different  performance styles in different areas. Adapted to appropriate level. (1.5 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: Voice I. Liefländer.)

LAS 291: Instrument II. Twenty-five minutes of private Piano or Organ lessons once a week for 28 weeks. Adapted to appropriate level. (1.5 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: Instrument I. Liefländer.)

LAS 293: Introduction to Ecclesiastical Music. The course will give an overview of general principles and history of Church Music. Its main goal is to give rudimentary tools to function within a traditional Church Music programme at any local church.  The focus will be on: note reading (Gregorian chant and modern notation), and polyphony (harmony, counterpoint), with a special emphasis on the Renaissance period (composers and performance).The confusion surrounding the Vatican II documents pertaining to music in the Catholic Church will be examined and evaluated, including an examination of the role of Gregorian Chant in the Mass and the picture of liturgical music Pope Benedict XVI has painted for Church musicians. The course will include some participation in the choir at the weekly Academy Mass. (3 Credits, Full-Year. Co-requisite: LAS 090: Chorus. Lieflander. Next offered 2012-2013.)

LAS 296: Conducting.  Known as the paradox of the “silent musical performer,” the conductor has the challenge of learning to play the most complex of instruments: the choir and orchestra.  Solid “stick” technique, time patterns, choir psychology, score study, and practical experience of the craft at Mass will be taught.  “Qui cantat bene, bis orat,” said St. Augustine.  The student will discover that this quotation does not fully apply to conductors.  Since they are responsible for every aspect of the performance, the prayer of a well-formed conductor ought not to double, but to grow exponentially.  All lessons are geared strictly to the musical needs of the Catholic Mass.  (3 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: LAS 293: Introduction to Ecclesiastical Music or permission of instructor. Liefländer.)

LAS 321: Latin III. The purpose of this advanced-level course is to impart fluent reading proficiency in a wide variety of Latin writings, including selections from St. Thomas Aquinas, the Fathers of the Church, Medieval Poetry, Hymns, the Old Testament of the Vulgate, some Classical works, and modern Church documents. The course will include a review of Units 29-35 of Collins’ Ecclesiastical Latin with extensive exercises supplemented by F. L. Moreland and R. M. Fleischer’s Latin: An Intensive Course.  (4 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: LAS 221: Latin II, or permission of the instructor. Zakrzewski.)  

LAS/THE 324: Intermediate New Testament Greek. “The original [Scriptural] text, having been written by the inspired author himself, has more authority and greater weight than even the very best translation, whether ancient or modern” (Pius XII). Building upon the vocabulary and skills learned in LAS/THE 224: Introduction to New Testament Greek, students will read the Gospels of John and Matthew. The vocabulary of the Gospels will be emphasized, so that by the end of the course students will be able to read through the four Gospels in Greek without needing to consult a lexicon. This in turn will allow them to keep in practice in Greek while reading and meditating upon the scriptures in the original language. As students through practice become more proficient in Greek, they will more deeply appreciate the richness of the original texts. (3 Credits, Fall.  Pre-requisite: LAS/THE 224 or permission of the instructor. Nicholson.) 

LAS/THE 326: Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. “Latin-speaking men, whom we have here undertaken to instruct, need two other languages for a knowledge of the Divine Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek, so that they may turn back to earlier exemplars if the infinite variety of Latin translations gives rise to any doubts,” says St. Augustine.  This course teaches Hebrew Grammar, and those Hebrew words occurring 50 or more times in the Old Testament.  Students are thus both able to analyze particular texts in the original language as well as read through text with the aid of Armstrong, Busby, and Carr’s A Reader’s Hebrew-English Lexicon of the Old Testament. (4 Credits. Pre-requisite: permission of the instructor. Nicholson. Not offered 2011-2012.)

LAS/THE 327: Research into Koine Greek. Words in one language rarely correspond exactly with words in another language. This course will introduce students who are already able to read New Testament Greek to a variety of lexical and grammatical tools which will allow them to explore the meaning of the revealed text more deeply. (3 Credits, Winter. Pre-requisite: THE 324: Intermediate New Testament Greek or permission of the instructor. Nicholson.)

LAS 390: Voice III.  A continuation of LAS 290: Voice II, at an advanced level.               (1.5 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: LAS 290. Liefländer.)

LAS 391: Instrument III.  A continuation of LAS 291I: Instrument II, at an advanced level. (1.5 Credits, Full-Year.  Pre-requisite: LAS 291. Liefländer.)

LAS 395: Music History. This survey course will cover the history of music from early Church times until the late 1990s, in both sacred and secular categories, with a strong focus on the dialogue between the sacred and the secular. (3 Credits. Full-Year.  Liefländer.)

LAS 396: Musical Pedagogy.  This course will examine orchestral conducting and hymn selection as appropriate at the parochial level, as well as methods of effective communication with all involved in liturgical prayer and planning. This course will have two components: a weekly involvement with the SPARROWS children’s choir, followed by a short seminar/debriefing (approx 20 minutes); and a general lecture component averaging 40 minutes/week, though some may go as long as one hour and others will be shorter.  (3 Credits, Full-Year.  Liefländer. Next offered in 2012-2013.) 

LAS 421: Selected Latin Readings. A reading course, which examines the Latin form of select theological texts. Included will be selections from St. Augustine, other Fathers of the Church, Medieval Poetry, and a variety of other sources, including the liturgy. Emphasis will be placed on building vocabulary, recognition of special sentence forms, and the appreciation of verbal aesthetics. The problematic of eloquence in Christian discourse will be considered throughout this course. (4 Credits, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: LAS 321: Latin III or approval of instructor. Not offered 2011-2012.)