Catholic Studies
Discover the heritage of Catholic intellectual thought
The Catholic Studies program will provide you with an informed understanding and appreciation of the depth and breadth of the Catholic tradition and its unique contribution to society—past and present. In our rigorous, interdisciplinary program, you’ll explore Roman Catholicism as a religious and cultural reality that expresses and motivates multiple forms of human expression.
As a Catholic Studies major, you'll be taught by faculty members who are experts in the study of Catholicism as well as other disciplines, including: artists, economists, historians, literary critics, musicians, political scientists and sociologists, as well as philosophers and theologians.
Chicago has one of the largest Catholic populations in the United States and a rich theological, pastoral, ethnic, architectural, artistic and musical heritage for you to experience firsthand.
You'll have a wide array of resources at your fingertips. Our Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, an internationally renowned research institute, focuses on Catholicism around the world. And our Vincentian Studies Institute is the leading center in the world for the study of the Vincentian tradition. Catholic Studies majors also have the opportunity to choose one of two study-abroad programs in Italy and to take selected courses at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Along with Catholic Campus Ministry, we support the Catholic Learning Community, which helps you explore the spiritual, academic and service aspects of your faith.
Classes
Coursework
- Catholicism and Literature
- Catholicism in Africa
- Catholics and Scripture
- Contemporary Moral Issues: Happiness
- Introduction to Catholicism
- The Life and Times of Vincent de Paul
- Love in the Christian Tradition
- Nature, Cosmos, and God: Catholicism and Science
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Social justice advocacy
- Journalism
- Ministry work and leadership
- Education
- Nonprofit work
91%
of Interdisciplinary Program graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTH 180 | INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM | 4 |
| CTH 209 | THEORIES OF THE CHURCH: CONCEPTS AND CONTROVERSIES | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| EARLY CATHOLIC HISTORY: ORIGINS AND EXPANSION | ||
| CATHOLIC HISTORY FROM MEDIEVAL TO MODERN: REFORM AND REVOLUTION | ||
| CATHOLICISM IN THE MODERN AGE: SECULAR AND SACRED | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| CATHOLICS AND SCRIPTURE | ||
| WHAT CATHOLICS BELIEVE | ||
| Select three courses over three of the five areas listed below | 12 | |
| Select four Electives, three of which must be at the 300-level 1 | 16 | |
| Select one Senior Capstone 2 | 4 | |
1
The Study Abroad Program in Rome is encouraged.
2
One Senior Capstone (four credit hours) is required. Consult with the Department of Catholic Studies for approved Capstone options.
Areas
Philosophy, Scripture, and Theology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE | ||
| THEMES IN CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT | ||
| METHODS OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION | ||
| ANCIENT ISRAEL: HISTORY, LITERATURE AND RELIGION | ||
| THE NEW TESTAMENT | ||
| THE HISTORICAL JESUS | ||
| VARIETIES OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY | ||
| THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE | ||
| THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL | ||
| MEDIEVAL MYSTICS IN EUROPE: 1000-1600 A.D. | ||
| THINKING ABOUT GOD | ||
| ROMAN CATHOLIC LITURGY | ||
| ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY | ||
| MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY | ||
| TOPICS IN CATHOLIC THOUGHT | ||
| ROMAN CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL THINKING | ||
| DEBATES ABOUT GOD | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN ETHICS | ||
| CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES | ||
| NATURE, COSMOS AND GOD: CATHOLICISM AND SCIENCE | ||
| THEORIES OF INTERPRETATION | ||
| GREEK AND MEDIEVAL THOUGHT | ||
| EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY | ||
| PHILOSOPHY SINCE KANT | ||
| LIBERATION THEOLOGY: THEORY AND PRACTICE | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN CATHOLIC THOUGHT |
Catholicism and Aesthetics
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ROMAN CATHOLIC SPIRITUAL LITERATURE | ||
| CATHOLICISM AS A SPIRITUAL PATH | ||
| ART IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN EMPIRE | ||
| CATHOLIC THEMES IN CONTEMPORARY CINEMA | ||
| BYZANTINE ART | ||
| CONQUEST AND CONVERSION: THE ART OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES | ||
| THE AGE OF CATHEDRALS: THE ART OF THE LATER MIDDLE AGES | ||
| ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL ART | ||
| ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ART | ||
| BAROQUE ART | ||
| NORTHERN RENAISSANCE ART | ||
| ART, LITURGY AND LIFE | ||
| CATHOLIC FAITH AND MUSICAL EXPRESSION | ||
| CATHOLICISM AND LITERATURE | ||
| LITERATURE AND THE SACRED | ||
| CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL MEMOIRS | ||
| THE ART OF CRUSADING | ||
| LOVE IN THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN THE ART, MUSIC AND LITERATURE OF CATHOLICISM |
Social Concerns and Moral Questions
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING | ||
| VIRTUE ETHICS | ||
| ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT IN CONTEXT | ||
| CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES | ||
| JESUS ACROSS CULTURES | ||
| ROMAN CATHOLICISM'S ENCOUNTER WITH OTHER RELIGIONS | ||
| HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE U.S. | ||
| IRELAND: RELIGION AND THE CONTEMPORARY "TROUBLES | ||
| MEDIEVAL PEOPLE: 400 TO 1400 A.D. | ||
| CATHOLICISM IN AFRICA | ||
| CATHOLICISM AND THE FAMILY | ||
| RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN WESTERN CULTURE | ||
| GOD, JUSTICE AND REDEMPTIVE ACTION | ||
| IRELAND, 1450-1800, CONQUEST, COLONIZATION & REBELLION | ||
| IRELAND, 1800 - 2000 |
Vincentian Studies
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THE LIFE AND TIMES OF VINCENT DE PAUL | ||
| WOMEN AND SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL | ||
| NOTABLE VINCENTIAN WOMEN | ||
| OZANAM: A VINCENTIAN LIFE |
World Catholicism
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO WORLD CATHOLICISM | ||
| THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WORLD POLITICS | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN THE SOCIAL DIMENSION OF CATHOLICISM |
Open Electives
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.
