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Catholic Studies
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Dedicated to the integration of faith and reason, the Center for Catholic Studies at the , in St. Paul, Minnesota, hosts undergraduate and graduate degree programs, two research institutes: the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought and the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy, and a theological journal: Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture. The Catholic Studies undergraduate and graduate programs are interdisciplinary in nature, studying the Catholic intellectual tradition from the lens of theology, philosophy, history, literature, and art. The undergraduate Catholic Studies program began in 1993. The Center was founded in 1996 and the Master of Arts program in Catholic Studies was added in 2001. The Center for Catholic Studies also offers periodic lectures including the Joseph and Edith Habiger artist- and scholar-in-residence program series. The Center for Catholic Studies is housed in Sitzmann Hall on the University of St. Thomas campus. The undergraduate program in Catholic Studies Catholic Studies is available as either a major or minor at the University of St. Thomas. The majority of Catholic Studies students have a second major in one of the more than 90 fields of study at UST. Recent students have completed double-majors in business, journalism, education, psychology, and philosophy. Currently there are over 250 Catholic Studies majors and minors on the University of St. Thomas campus. Catholic Studies major The major consists of 36 credits: 16 credits in core courses and 20 credits in electives. (Double majors need complete only 32 credits.) Core courses consist of:  CATH 101 The Search for Happiness  CATH 201 Paths and Practices of Catholic Spirituality  CATH 301 The Catholic Vision  CATH 401 The Church and Culture: Social Dimensions of Catholicism Twelve credits must be chosen from required distribution area electives:  One philosophically-based course  One historically-based course  One literary- or aesthetic-based course Eight additional credits are chosen from additional Catholic Studies offerings. Catholic Studies minor The minor consists of 20 credits: 8 credits in core courses and 12 elective credits. Eight credits come from the core courses. Working with your advisor, you select two of the four options:  CATH 101 The Search for Happiness  CATH 201 Paths and Practices of Catholic Spirituality  CATH 301 The Catholic Vision  CATH 401 The Church and Culture: Social Dimensions of Catholicism Eight credits must be chosen from two of the following distribution area electives:  One philosophically-based course  One historically-based course  One literary- or aesthetic-based course Four additional credits are chosen from the Catholic Studies offerings. Study abroad in Rome As a Catholic Studies major or minor, University of St. Thomas students may study at the Dominican Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas(The Angelicum) in Rome, Italy. Students may study for one semester or a full academic year, taking classes (in English) that are especially suited for the interdisciplinary nature of Catholic Studies. The Bernardi Residence Students live in community at the St. Thomas Bernardi Residence at Lungotevere delle Armi 16, on the Tiber River. The residence is located in the Prati section of Rome, across from the Borghese Gardens, and is a 20-minute walk to the Vatican and a 40-minute walk to the Angelicum. Originally built as a residential estate in 1923, the building was purchased by an order of Spanish nuns in the 1950s. The building was again completely restored and refurbished in 1999 when it was purchased by the university. There are two residential floors - one for men and one for women. The campus has a variety of room capacities for students - primarily doubles, with a limited number of triples and singles. For each student, the room has a single bed, desk with desk chair, and wardrobe. The Bernardi residence has preserved a uniquely Italian character with its 20-foot ceilings, carved moldings, shuttered windows, granite and marble floors, and wrought-iron fence and gates. The rooftop terrace provides a view of Rome, from the mountains in the northeast to St. Peter’s Basilica in the southwest. . The Bernardi residence has a modern dining room, where breakfast and community meals are served, a computer lab with Internet access, a student lounge with a television, laundry facilities, and public sitting rooms. The Luisa and Dante Seghiere Chapel is on the main floor of the residence. Mass is offered each Wednesday evening in the chapel as part of the weekly community night. A discussion and formal dinner follow. The Catholic Studies program provides a chaplain who offers Mass regularly in the residence chapel. The chaplain is also available for confession and spiritual direction, and leads one weekend retreat each semester at the Casa Divin Maestro retreat house on Lake Albano in Italy. Meal plan Breakfast is served seven days a week at Bernardi, and dinner is provided at the residence on Sundays and Wednesdays. In addition, students received restaurant/grocery vouchers intended to cover three dinners. Students are responsible for all other meals. The Angelicum In the 18-week program, students take four courses for a total of 16 semester credits. There are three required core courses and students select one additional course offered by the Angelicum. Each course focuses on several aspects of Catholic thought and culture, and include both lectures and site visits around the city. Additionally, students take a non-credit Italian language and culture class. Fall courses  Introduction to Italian (non-credit)  Church and Culture in Italy I: History and Society (4 credits)  Politics and Economics of Europe I (4 credits)  Catholic Studies topics course, taught by a Catholic Studies professor (4 credits)  Elective in Theology or Philosophy (4 credits) Spring courses  Introduction to Italian (non-credit)  Church and Culture in Italy II: Christian Art and Architecture (4 credits)  Politics and Economics of Europe II (4 credits)  Catholic Studies topics course, taught by a Catholic Studies professor (4 credits)  Elective in Theology or Philosophy (4 credits) Service Students are encouraged to do service work with communities such as the Missionaries of Charity, the Little Sisters of the Poor, or the Community of Sant’Egidio. Master of Arts Degree in Catholic Studies The Master of Arts Degree in Catholic Studies is designed to provide students with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of Catholicism and the Catholic Intellectual tradition. Undergirded by courses in theology, philosophy, and history, the program explores Catholicism's contributions to world literature, art, music, architecture, law, political systems, and the social and natural sciences. It encourages critical reflection and debate on contemporary and cross-cultural issues related to Catholicism, and it promotes the dialogue between faith and reason that leads to a higher synthesis of knowledge. Students have the opportunity to design a course of study that meets their educational and personal goals. The program welcomes students of any faith background. Evening and summer courses are available for full-time and part-time students. Graduate students also have the opportunity to study for a semester in Rome, taking courses that apply toward their degree. Program objectives 1. A Broad Historical Framework 2. An Opportunity for More Detailed Work 3. Attention to the Contemporary World 4. Critical Reflection and Debate 5. Interdisciplinary and Synthetic Study 6. Faithful Study 7. Ecumenical and Cross-Cultural Study 8. Worship 9. Service Program requirements The Master of Arts degree in Catholic Studies requires students to complete 10 courses (30 credits) and one master's essay (3 credits) for a total of 33 credits. Core interdisciplinary courses  CSMA 500 Catholic Thought and Culture I  CSMA 501 Catholic Thought and Culture II Core-area courses  A course in Catholic theology  A course in Catholic philosophy  A course in Catholic history Elective courses All students must complete five elective courses. A variety of courses from various disciplines is offered each year. In consultation with the director of graduate studies, students choose electives that correspond to their interests and that provide additional exposure to areas of study that may be lacking in their academic background or current program. By tailoring electives, students may obtain a concentration in a discipline or pursue a thematic concentration that allows examination of a single topic across several disciplines. Master's essay Under the supervision of a faculty adviser, all students complete a master's essay as the final, qualifying project for the degree. The completed paper, approximately 25-30 pages, will be evaluated by a committee of three faculty members who will hold a formal conversation about it with the student. Normally, students complete the master's essay during their last semester of study. Joint degree in law and Catholic Studies In association with the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Catholic Studies offers a joint JD-MA program that provides additional opportunities for students. In the joint program, students earn two graduate degrees (consisting of a total of 97 credits), typically in less time than they could earn the same two degrees separately. Twelve credit hours of law courses count toward the M.A. degree in Catholic Studies and 12 M.A. credit hours count toward the J.D. Full-time students can expect to complete the joint program in three and one-half to four years of study. To complete the Catholic Studies portion of the joint degree, students must take the five core courses, one elective course and write the Master's Essay. Students must apply for each program separately and meet all admissions requirements in both Law and Catholic Studies. Students typically enroll in the School of Law before applying for the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Studies. Research institutes at the Center for Catholic Studies The John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought The purpose of the Ryan Institute is to “examine modern life through the Catholic social tradition in order to foster a deeper integration of faith and work.” The institute primarily focuses on : 1) Catholic social thought and management This Program offers seminars, conferences, publications, and programs on the relationship between Catholic social thought and management education and practice. 2) Catholic Social Teaching and Education The Catholic Social Teaching and Education program supports Catholic school teachers (K-12) and Catholic university faculty seeking to integrate the Church's social mission throughout the whole curriculum. 3) Catholic Social Thought and Community Outreach This program was inspired by Catholic activist Peter Maurin's vision of bridging the gap between workers and scholars. The program offers Latino Leadership Scholarships for Latino students dedicated to serving their community. The Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought The Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy is a collaboration between the Center for Catholic Studies and the School of Law at the University of St. Thomas. The institute explores the various interactions between law and Catholic thought on topics ranging from workers' rights to criminal law to marriage and family. The institute draws from the resources of both programs, other academic disciplines and other faith traditions. The institute's examination of law also is driven by a "vision of the human person and the world that is enlightened by the Gospel" (Pope John Paul II, Ex Corde Ecclesiae). See Also
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