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Catholic Apologetics Booklist (B Track)

Catholic Apologetics (CAP-B)

Second Semester | 16-week Course Plan
 
Discover the foundations of Catholic faith with Catholic Apologetics (CAP-B), a high school course tailored for homeschooling families, rooted in St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s classical liberal arts tradition. This one-semester exploration equips students to defend and explain Catholic beliefs, addressing the question “Why should I be Catholic?” through an approachable narrative and rigorous study. Designed as part of U.S. Studies II, it offers a compelling defense of Church teachings against fundamentalist Christian critiques, then transitions to the historical role of Catholicism in preserving Scripture. Anchored in a Catholic worldview, this course fosters articulate faith-sharing and personal growth, ideal for students seeking to deepen their understanding within a supportive family setting.
 
This semester unfolds in two distinct phases:
  • Defending the Faith: Engage with Catholic doctrine through a relatable story, exploring beliefs and practices often challenged by Protestant perspectives.
  • Scripture’s Catholic Roots: Uncover the Church’s pivotal role in forming and safeguarding the Bible, dispelling myths of opposition to Scripture access.
 
Students explore core texts like Martin de Porres Kennedy’s A Philadelphia Catholic in King James’s Court and its companion Discussion/Study Guide, alongside Henry G. Graham’s Where We Got the Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church. Kevin Vost’s Memorize the Faith! enhances retention of key concepts, while The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition), the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and selections from Artfully Teaching the Faith provide scriptural and doctrinal depth. The STAA Study Guide offers a flexible framework, adapting to each student’s learning style and encouraging independence through weekly plans packed with reflection prompts, clear assignments, and memory exercises—all supported by online resources on the STAA Student Zone. Students refine critical thinking and writing skills through tasks like definitions, outlines, and summaries, while teaching-parents find guidance in detailed course plans and a gradebook—all designed to nurture family collaboration and vibrant faith exploration.
 
Follow this course with further studies from our high school religion and theology options—Old Testament I and II, Church History I, New Testament, Church History II, and Moral Apologetics— and enjoy a rich journey tailored to your family’s homeschooling path.
 
Required Texts (purchased separately):
  • Semester 2: U.S. Studies II B Study Guide (STAA)
  • A Philadelphia Catholic in King James’s Court by Martin de Porres Kennedy
  • Philadelphia Catholic in King James’s Court: Discussion/Study Guide by Martin de Porres Kennedy
  • Memorize the Faith! by Kevin Vost
  • The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Press)
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church, Revised (Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
  • Where We Got the Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church by Henry G. Graham
 
Optional Texts:
  • None specified; additional resources available via STAA Student Zone
 
Prerequisites: None; recommended for students in Grades 8–12 as part of the U.S. Studies, B Track cycle. Prior completion of Church History III (the religion course paired with the first semester of U.S. History and Geography) is encouraged.
 
Recommended Schedule: About an hour per school day of study, coursework, and discussion (approximately five hours per school week). Daily schedule recommendations in the study guide can be easily adapted to a block schedule.
 
Support: Enroll in the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy program for experienced advisor support with placement and guidance or choose the Independent Study option to activate your student’s access to the STAA Student Zone. For even more support, consider adding the Spring semester live class with optional advisor grading.

EXPLORE THE BOOKLIST
The following clickable version of the booklist features the STAA Study Guide options for this course, offering a choice between the semester guide aligned with the academic cycle or the standalone subject booklet. Information on live class options for this course is also provided near the top of the list. Orders for STAA Study Guides and registration for live classes are processed through this website, while many of the books and materials can be purchased directly from Amazon.com or from your preferred supplier.

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