This Senior Theology elective begins with a study of the Church’s rich tradition of Rhetorical education – the art of debate and public speaking. This provided the foundation for the work of great Catholic thinkers like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Students will learn how the Church today continues to promote discourse and cooperation by examining controversial modern issues that need real solutions. Students will engage with these issues by participating in classroom debate, which will challenge the current behavior we see in the political world -- where only loud voices have an impact. Thoughtful arguments and ideas are celebrated, where students learn to embrace difficult conversations with those with whom they disagree.