Catholic Studies Minor

[This program is not accepting applicants at this time.]

David Turnbloom, Ph.D., theology, director

Through the Catholic studies minor students seek to understand the mutual influences of Catholic Christianity and world cultures over the course of 2,000 years. Drawing on the resources of many departments at the University of Portland, students will study how faith and reason have shaped Catholic texts, systems of thought, institutions, and devotional practices and how Catholic Christianity has contributed to world cultures through works of charity, justice, and peace up to the present day. At the same time, students will engage in rigorous assessment of the Church’s contributions to intellectual, cultural, spiritual, and social developments, in order to achieve a mature understanding of the Church’s role.

Besides providing opportunities to explore the dynamic and mutual interaction between the Church and cultures, the minor challenges students to add their own transformative contributions to the rich and living tradition of Catholic Christianity.

The Catholic studies minor provides opportunities for students to engage in sustained reflection on the Catholic tradition and to experience its many facets — intellectual, spiritual, liturgical, artistic, and service. Because it is necessarily interdisciplinary and promotes the study of faith and service, the Catholic studies minor clearly manifests the mission of the University of Portland.

Learning Outcomes for Catholic Studies Minors

Catholic studies graduates at the University of Portland should be able to:

1. Identify informing principles of Catholic thought and culture through examples from selected times and places.
   1. Explain orally and in writing informing principles of Catholic thought and culture.
   2. Explain orally and in writing how these principles are instantiated in various times and places.
2. Explain how expressions of Catholic faith and thought influence surrounding cultures and, in turn, are influenced by them.
   1. Explain orally and in writing how Catholic faith and thought influences at least one culture in which they are found.
   2. Explain orally and in writing how at least one culture in which Catholic faith and thought are found has influenced that faith and thought.

Capstone Experience

Students pursuing the Catholic studies minor will participate in a three-credit Capstone Directed Readings course in either philosophy or theology (PHL 490 or THE 490), as approved by the director of the minor.