Objective: Does morality matter? Yes! The choices we make factor into the fabric of our lives right here and now, and they factor into eternity. The topic of morality is essential in the life of every human person. From the moment we wake in the morning until we fall asleep at night, we’re making choices. 

In this course, students will learn exactly why morality matters. Students will learn about absolute truths, moral codes and how to develop their own moral code. We will explore why beliefs are crucial and how our choices shape our personal character. 

St. Gregory of Nyssa sums it up perfectly - “The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.” That really says it all, and with this, course Deacon Frederick Bartels will help guide you toward making your own moral life choices.

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Course curriculum

  1. 1

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 1 -Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 1 - Everyone Lives by Some Type of Moral Code - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 1 - Everyone Lives by Some Type of Moral Code - VIDEO

    • Reflection Questions for Group Discussion

    • Lesson 1 - Everyone Lives by Some Type of Moral Code - QUIZ
  2. 2

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 2 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 2 - How People Develop Their Moral Code - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 2 - How People Develop Their Moral Code - VIDEO

    • Questions for Live Lesson Reflection and Discussion

    • Lesson 2 - How People Develop Their Moral Code - QUIZ
  3. 3

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 3 - Part 1 -Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 3 - Why Our Beliefs are Crucial - Part 1 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 3 - Why Our Beliefs are Crucial - Part 1 - VIDEO

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Live Lesson Discussion and Reflection Questions

    • Lesson 3 - Why Our Beliefs are Crucial - Part 1 - QUIZ
  4. 4

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 3 - Part 2 -Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Student’s Prayer from St. Thomas Aquinas

    • Lesson 3 - Why Our Beliefs are Crucial - Part 2 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 3 - Why Our Beliefs are Crucial - Part 2 - VIDEO

    • Questions for Discussion and Reflection

    • Lesson 3 - Why Our Beliefs are Crucial - Part 2 - QUIZ
  5. 5

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 4 - Part 1 -Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 1 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 1 - VIDEO

    • Discussion and Reflection Questions

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 1 - QUIZ
  6. 6

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 4 - Part 2 -Introduction

    • Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 2 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 2 - VIDEO

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 2 - QUIZ
  7. 7

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 4 - Part 3 -Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 3 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 3 - VIDEO

    • Questions for Reflection and Discussion

    • Lesson 4 - How Moral Choices Shape and Define Our Personal Character - Part 3 - QUIZ
  8. 8

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 5 - Part 1 - Introduction

    • Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 1 - Relativism, Its Definition, and Absolute Truths - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 1 - Relativism, Its Definition, and Absolute Truths - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 1 - Relativism, Its Definition, and Absolute Truths - QUIZ
  9. 9

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 5 - Part 2 - Introduction

    • Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 2 - What It Means To Say Absolute Truths Transcend the Human Person - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 2 - What It Means To Say Absolute Truths Transcend the Human Person - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 2 - What It Means To Say Absolute Truths Transcend the Human Person - QUIZ
  10. 10

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 5 - Part 3 - Introduction

    • Live Class Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 3 - Moral Norms and Absolutes - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 3 - Moral Norms and Absolutes - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 3 - Moral Norms and Absolutes - QUIZ
  11. 11

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 5 - Part 4 - Introduction

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 4 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 4 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 4 -How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder - QUIZ
  12. 12

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 5 - Part 5 - Introduction

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 5 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder by Denying Personhood to Very Young Children - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 5 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder by Denying Personhood to Very Young Children - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 5 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder by Denying Personhood to Very Young Children - QUIZ
  13. 13

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 5 - Part 6 - Introduction

    • Live Class Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 6 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder by an Emotional Appeal to Good Intentions - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 6 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder by an Emotional Appeal to Good Intentions - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - The Problem of Relativism - Part 6 - How Relativism Undermines the Moral Norm Prohibiting Murder by an Emotional Appeal to Good Intentions - QUIZ
  14. 14

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 6 - Part 1 - Introduction

    • Live Class Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 6 - A Brief Survey of Some Moral Issues and Their Consequences - Part 1 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 6 - A Brief Survey of Some Moral Issues and Their Consequences - Part 1 - VIDEO

    • Lesson 6 - A Brief Survey of Some Moral Issues and Their Consequences - Part 1 - QUIZ
  15. 15

    • Why Does Morality Matter? - Lesson 6 - Part 2 - Introduction

    • Live Class Opening Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 6 - A Brief Survey of Some Moral Issues and Their Consequences - Part 2 - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 6 - A Brief Survey of Some Moral Issues and Their Consequences - Part 2 - VIDEO

    • Lesson 6 - A Brief Survey of Some Moral Issues and Their Consequences - Part 2 - QUIZ

Instructor(s)

Professor of Theology, Department Chair

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.