Catholic Studies

An introduction to Catholic studies, the course focuses on a survey of major developments in the history of the Catholic Church: Early Christianity, the Papacy, Ecumenical Councils, Mission, Internal Reforms, Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the Enlightenment, World Wars, and the Catholic Church today. Intertwined in this chronology are several themes: Freedom, Faith and Reason, Concepts of History, Sacraments, Spirituality, and Faith. Credit will be granted for only one of CATH 101 or CATH 100. Three credits.

The purpose of this course is to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of eschatology, which is the study of theological and religious views about ‘last things’ (death, heaven, purgatory, hell). This topic will be presented from three points of view: historical sources, including scripture; doctrinal issues; artistic depictions. Three credits.

The topic for 2023-2024 is Christianity and Conflict. An examination of the conflicts that have helped to define Catholic doctrine and praxis, Catholicism’s relation to other faiths, political institutions, and indigeneity. Topics will include: the Roman Catholic relationship with Eastern Orthodoxy; Catholicism and Islam; colonization and cultural genocide; and resistance to oppressive political regimes. On completion, students will have an informed understanding of the evolving tools of conflict resolution employed by the Church, and areas in which Catholicism can improve. Three credits.

This course will trace Catholic themes and ideas about Catholicism in literary, musical, architectural, or artistic works from the beginnings of Christianity to the early Renaissance. Cross-listed as ART 331. Credit will be granted for only one of CATH 331 or CATH 330. Three credits.