Catholic Studies (CATH)

CATH 2000 - Catholic Imagination: Introduction to Catholic Studies

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course provides the foundational knowledge and categories necessary for understanding the central aims of Catholic Studies. It seeks to instill a sense of wonder by introducing students to a sacramental imagination in coming to see how the history of arts, literature, science, and culture have relied and assumed ideas of the transcendent in understanding and promoting what it means to be a fully flourishing human person, what a truly free society is, and how divine faith and natural reason have worked together to produce some of the greatest human achievements ever.

Prerequisite(s): CORE 1500*

* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Attributes: Catholic Studies-Elective, Catholic Studies-English, Catholic Studies-History, Catholic Studies-Philosophy, Catholic Studies-Theology, UUC:Theology

CATH 2930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

CATH 2980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

CATH 3001 - Catholic Intellectual Heritage I

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This interdisciplinary survey examines the growth and development of Catholic thought from the origins of Christianity in the ancient cultures of Second Temple Judaism and Mediterranean paganism to the flowering of Medieval Christendom. By tracing Catholicism as an intellectual and cultural reality encountering multiple civilizations, this course examines how it grew both in conformity and in tension with other worldviews in the long first millennium of Christianity, up to the point of Dante’s synthetic vision. (Offered in Fall)

Attributes: Catholic Studies-Elective, Catholic Studies-English, Catholic Studies-History, Catholic Studies-Philosophy, Catholic Studies-Theology

CATH 3002 - Catholic Intellectual Heritage II

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This interdisciplinary survey examines the continued growth and development of Catholic thought in its second millennium. Beginning with the Renaissance and the new spiritual and cultural movements it sparked, the course goes on to consider how Catholic thought responded to and was shaped by the Protestant Reformation, a growing awareness of the diverse array of global cultures, the rise of advanced science and partitioning of academic disciplines, and other key cultural and intellectual movements. (Offered in Spring)

Attributes: Catholic Studies-Elective, Catholic Studies-English, Catholic Studies-History, Catholic Studies-Philosophy, Catholic Studies-Theology

CATH 3680 - Chivalry and the Christian Tradition

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course examines the tradition of chivalry and its influence on the development of Catholic thought and culture, paying special attention to Arthurian legend. Beginning with the Song of Roland, the course goes on to consider the complex of stories surrounding King Arthur, Guinevere, and other figures associated with the Knights of the Round Table and the Grail Legend. In addition to exploring the way these stories shaped and were shaped by a Catholic worldview, the course considers the development of this rich tradition over the centuries by successive generations of Catholic and Christian writers. (Offered occasionally)

CATH 3760X - The Politics of Pope Francis

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course examines Pope Francis’ distinctive approach to politics and governance, considering both his own exercise of leadership in Argentina and Rome and how he has articulated his political philosophy in articles, addresses, papal documents, and the like. At the heart of his thought stands the goal of reform. How does he understand the reform process, both of society and of the Church, and the substantive ends to which it is ordered? (Offered occasionally)

Attributes: Catholic Studies-Elective, Catholic Studies-English, Catholic Studies-History, Catholic Studies-Philosophy, Catholic Studies-Theology, Catholic Studies Program, Social Science Req (A&S), UUC:Dignity, Ethics & Just Soc

CATH 3930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

CATH 4000 - Catholic Intellectual Heritage and the Good Life

Credit(s): 3 Credits

In both East and West, centuries of the Catholic Intellectual Heritage have contributed to a deepening understanding of what it might mean to live a flourishing, meaningful, and fruitful human life. This course explores central components of such an existence, considering such themes as moral and intellectual virtue, prayer and contemplation, friendship and communion, vocation and service of the common good. Special attention will be given to characteristic contributions from the Ignatian tradition such as “finding God in all things” and discernment.

Attributes: Catholic Studies-Elective, Catholic Studies-English, Catholic Studies-History, Catholic Studies-Philosophy, Catholic Studies-Theology

CATH 4910 - Internship

Credit(s): 1-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Attributes: UUC:Reflection-in-Action

CATH 4930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

CATH 4960 - Catholic Studies Capstone

Credit(s): 3 Credits

In order to harmonize one's course of studies, all Catholic Studies students are required to complete the capstone course which is taught from a multitude of perspectives to show how the Catholic faith, spirituality and practices, have all influenced central areas of human knowledge, art, culture, and society.

Attributes: Catholic Studies-Elective, Catholic Studies-English, Catholic Studies-History, Catholic Studies-Philosophy, Catholic Studies-Theology

CATH 4980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)