Requirements, Course Descriptions and Learning Outcomes

Each semester, courses that are approved to count toward the minor can be found on the courses page. If you have any questions about a specific course or about your progress toward the minor, please contact the director, Naomi Fisher (nfisher1@luc.edu).

The Catholic Studies minor consists of six courses (18 credit hours). No more than two courses from a single academic discipline may count toward the minor, and at least two courses must be taken at the 300-level. Academic requirements are divided into three categories: foundational course, electives, and capstone seminar.

FOUNDATIONAL COURSE

All students must take either CATH 296 (All Things Ignatian: Living and Learning in the Jesuit Tradition) or CATH 303: Topics in the Catholic Philosophical Tradition. CATH 296 fulfills an LUC Engaged Learning requirement and a (300-level) Theology elective. CATH 303 typically fulfills a writing intensive requirement and a (300-level) Philosophy elective.

Catholic Studies (CATH)
CATH 296 All Things Ignatian: Living and Learning in the Jesuit Tradition
CATH 303 Topics in the Catholic Philosophical Tradition

ELECTIVE COURSES

Students may choose the remaining five courses from several academic disciplines, including theology, philosophy, history, English, classical studies, fine arts, or political science. Courses may overlap with Core Curriculum requirements. At least one course must be in philosophy, and at least one course must be in theology. No more than two courses from a single academic discipline may count towards the minor. 

Each semester, before registration is open, a list of the current courses that are approved for the minor will be published here. Below is a list of courses from various academic disciplines which count toward the minor. Other courses are approved on a case-by-case basis.

DOUBLE DIPPING POLICY
Per recommendations from the CAS's Academic Council, Catholic Studies will adhere to and enforce the following policies:

• Not less than 8 credit hours in the individual student's transcript must be unique to each minor; that is, the courses in question are considered as actually fulfilling requirements of one minor, not of more than one minor or major.
• General exceptions will be made if approved by the chairs/directors of the department(s)/program(s) housing each affected major and minor. A list of standing general exceptions will be maintained by the Dean's office.
• Individual student exceptions may be made in appropriate cases by the Program Director. As always, comprehensive education is encouraged and valued; alternative classes and approaches may provide the perfect fit.
• As always, students are to make certain that an individual tracking sheet has been filled out with the Program Director and filed with the student's advisor.
• Departments and Programs may enforce stricter double-dipping policies than those stated above, which also should be provided to the Dean's Office.

Catholic Studies (CATH)
CATH 100 Introductory Topics in Catholic Studies
CATH 200 Intermediate Topics in Catholic Studies
CATH 300 Advanced Topics in Catholic Studies
CATH 395 Directed Readings in Catholic Studies

Classical Studies (CLST)
CLST 288/CATH 288 Greek Literature in Translation (designated sections)
CLST 289/CATH 289 Roman Literature in Translation (designated sections)

Latin (LATN)
LATN 315 Latin Fathers: Western Patristic Thought (Latin prerequisite)
LATN 361 St. Augustine (Latin prerequisite)

Greek (GREK)
GREK 267 New Testament Greek
GREK 315 Greek Fathers (Greek prerequisite)

English (ENGL)
ENGL 279 Introduction to Medieval Culture
ENGL 287 Religion in Literature
ENGL 290 Human Values in Literature (designated sections)
ENGL 308 Biblical Literature
ENGL 320 Medieval Literature
ENGL 322 Chaucer
ENGL 323 Special Studies in Medieval Literature
ENGL 325 British Literature: The Renaissance
ENGL 328 Special Studies in Renaissance Literature
ENGL 329 Milton
ENGL 383 Literature and Theology

Fine Arts (FNAR)
FNAR 338 Medieval Art
FNAR 341 Renaissance Art - Painting
FNAR 344 Early Italian Renaissance Art 
FNAR 345 Italian High Renaissance and Mannerist Art
FNAR 349  Art and the Catholic Tradition

History (HIST)
HIST 101 Western Civilization to the 17th Century
HIST 290 Medieval Culture
HIST 297 The Jesuits: Life and History
HIST 309 History of Early Christianity
HIST 310 Early Middle Ages 600 - 1150
HIST 314 The Italian Renaissance
HIST 315 The Reformation

Italian (ITAL)
ITAL 314 Survey of 13th and 14th Century Italian

Literature (LITR)
LITR 283/CATH 283 Studies (section designated for Dante)
LITR 312 Dante: The Divine Comedy

Philosophy (PHIL)
PHIL 190 Loyola' Mission: The Philosophical Vision
PHIL 271 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 304/CLST 304 History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 305 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 307 13th and 14th Century Philosophy
PHIL 312 Problems of Philosophy of God
PHIL 320 The Philosophy of St. Augustine
PHIL 340 The Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas
PHIL 399 Faith, Reason, Justice

Political Science (PLSC)
PLSC 300 Catholic Social Thought

Sociology (SOCL)
SOCL 145 Religion & Society

Theology (THEO)
THEO 100 Christian Theology
THEO 185 Christian Ethics
THEO 232 New Testament
THEO 265 Sacraments
THEO 266 Church in the World
THEO 267 Jesus Christ
THEO 271 Great Christian Thinkers
THEO 279 Roman Catholicism
THEO 280 Theology and Interdisciplinary Study
THEO 293 Christian Marriage
THEO 305 Gospel and Letters of John
THEO 306 The Epistles of Paul
THEO 310 Parables
THEO 311 The Meaning of Jesus Christ
THEO 313 The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
THEO 315 Mary and the Church
THEO 316 Western Patristic Thought
THEO 317 Christian Thought: Ancient to Medieval
THEO 318 Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern
THEO 330 Liberation Theology
THEO 345 Roman Catholic Social Thought
THEO 372 Theology of Thomas Aquinas
THEO 383 Theology, Arts, and Literature

CAPSTONE SEMINARS

All students working toward a Catholic studies minor must attend three capstone seminars with the program director or a designated Catholic studies faculty member during the final semester of the senior year. Two capstone seminars involve making presentations to fellow seniors. The purpose of these two presentations is to create an informal context for students to explore and discuss the relationship between the Catholic intellectual and artistic tradition and their major field of study using various media, including film, literature, theology, philosophy, poetry, autobiography, music, and development in the sciences. At the third capstone seminar, students will present their work to faculty members and a larger group of students participating in the Catholic studies minor.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Catholic Studies program works closely with the Joan and Bill Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage to promote a community of learning for students and faculty.

Students can take advantage of many academic, cultural, social, and religious opportunities including lectures, retreats, concerts, internships, social events, and group activities designed for the Catholic studies minors. The Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) often hosts exhibits and lectures focusing on artists who create their work through their exploration and interaction with Catholicism.

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Every year, the Joan and Bill Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage (CCIH), in support of the Catholic Studies Minor, funds a one-year fellowship to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the Catholic Studies Minor program. This fellowship is dedicated to the support of CCIH-funded faculty research projects, as well as CCIH's international research projects. Interested students should submit a completed application online through the Loyola Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (LUROP) by March 1.