JCU Undergraduate Bulletin 2005-2007: Interdisciplinary Concentrations -- Catholic Studies

Catholic Studies Concentration

Under the auspices of the Institute of Catholic Studies, this concentration aims at promoting serious reflection on the richness and vitality of the Catholic intellectual tradition across the ages. This concentration is interdisciplinary in nature, highlighting within the history of ideas the contribution of Catholic intellectuals and scholars across various disciplines. The Catholic Studies concentration enables students to assess human intellectual activity and experience in the light of the Catholic faith, and to examine the Roman Catholic Church's dynamic interaction with and interpenetration of cultures, traditions, and intellectual life. The concentration consists of 18 credit hours from approved Catholic Studies courses distributed among the following disciplines: one course in Religious Studies, one course in Philosophy, one course in the Humanities, one course in the Social or Natural Sciences, one elective from an approved Catholic Studies course. The final course in the concentration is a required seminar, "The Classics of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition," an interdisciplinary course in which students read the works of significant Catholic intellectuals from across the ages as a way of integrating the perspectives studied in their other courses within the concentration. In fulfilling these requirements, a student must take a minimum of three courses at the 300-400 level. Courses offered as part of the Catholic Studies concentration may satisfy Core Curriculum requirements or major/minor requirements within a specific discipline. Students in the concentration have the opportunity to study abroad at the Angelicum in Rome in their junior or senior year. Scholarships are available to students who study at the Angelicum. Summer internships are also available.

Coordinator: Dr. Paul V. Murphy, Department of History, and Director, Institute of Catholic Studies.