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Program Overview
Catholic Studies is an interdisciplinary inquiry into the intellectual tradition, history and culture, both "high" and popular, of the Catholic Christian tradition. While the field of study includes religious questions and theological issues, it primarily follows a "cultural studies" model. In addition to courses on the Catholic Church and issues in Catholic theology, it examines the role of the Catholic tradition in history, literature and the arts, science, and cultural and ethical issues related to many fields of professional practice. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the distinctive contributions of the Catholic Church to religious, cultural intellectual issues throughout the last two thousand years.
The minor in Catholic Studies explores the texts, traditions, themes, teachings, and cultural role of the Catholic Church from its inception to its contemporary expression. Particular attention will be paid to its place in contemporary America. This interdisciplinary program enables students to study the Catholic tradition, its ethos, identity, and mission, as made tangible in history, philosophy, literature, theology, the visual and performing arts, the social and behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences.
Catholic Studies Program at Fairfield University
Requirements
For a 15-credit minor in Catholic studies, students must:
- Complete five (5) 3 credit courses
- One (1) course must be either RLST 1402: Introduction to Catholicism or RLST 2448: Faith and Reason: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
- Four (4) additional Catholic Studies electives, including:
- At least two (2) additional courses in the Religious Studies Department.
- At least one (1) course outside of the Religious Studies Department.
Course Offerings
| AHST 1120 | Medieval Art of Western Europe |
| AHST 1121 | Celtic and Early Irish Art |
| AHST 1130 | Early Renaissance Art in Italy |
| AHST 1131 | High Renaissance and Mannerism in Italy |
| AHST 2221 | Arts of Ireland and the British Isles, 500-1000 |
| AHST 2222 | Byzantine Art |
| BIOL 1096 | God and Modern Biology |
| ENGL 1150 | Dante |
| ENGL 1610 | Irish Literature |
| ENGL 1620 | Irish Women Writers |
| ENGL 2011 | Age of Chaucer |
| ENGL 3011 | Chaucer's Canterbury Tales |
| ENGL 3019 | James Joyce |
| ENGL 3072 | All About Eve |
| HIST 2203 | European Society in the Middle Ages |
| HIST 2205 | Anti-Semitism: Medieval to Modern |
| HIST 2215 | Ireland: Middle Ages to the Present |
| HIST 2288 | Colonial Latin America, 1492-1800 |
| ITLN 3289 | Dante |
| PHIL 2220 | Philosophy of Religion |
| PHIL 2221 | The Question of Religion |
| PHIL 2223 | The Problem of God |
| PHIL 2282 | Violence and the Sacred |
| PHIL 3304 | Aquinas |
| POLI 2257 | Northern Ireland: Politics of War and Peace |
| POLI 2331 | Introduction to Peace and Justice |
| RLST 1402 | Introduction to Catholicism |
| RLST 1601 | Religion in the United States |
| RLST 2220 | Writings of Paul |
| RLST 2221 | Good News of the Gospels |
| RLST 2222 | Writings of John |
| RLST 2331 | The Problem of God |
| RLST 2335 | Liberation Theology |
| RLST 2336 | Christian Feminist Theology |
| RLST 2338 | Evil |
| RLST 2339 | Last Things: Catholic Belief in Life After Death |
| RLST 2428 | Early Christianity |
| RLST 2440 | The Medieval Church |
| RLST 2441 | Encountering God in Medieval Christian Thought |
| RLST 2443 | The Papacy 3 RLST 2445 The Reformation Era |
| RLST 2448 | Faith and Reason: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition |
| RLST 2544 | Finding God in All Things |
| RLST 2552 | Contemporary Moral Problems |
| RLST 2555 | Catholic Social Teaching |
| RLST 2557 | Christian Spirituality |
| RLST 2559 | Saints and Sinners: Images of Holiness in Contemporary Fiction |
| RLST 2649 | American Catholic Theologians |
| RLST 2668 | American Catholic History |
More About Catholic Studies
Life After Fairfield
Life After Fairfield
Catholic Studies is for students of all creeds who want unite their academic studies and career paths with Catholicism’s rich intellectual, spiritual, moral, and cultural traditions.
Today, there are important Catholic voices in every area of study, from business to biology, mathematics to music, physics to philosophy, and psychology to theology. Whatever your major or career goals, Catholic Studies will give you the opportunity to integrate them with the very best of Catholic thought, morals, and practice.
Learn how Fairfield's Career Services can support your post-graduate goals, and how our tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.
Faculty
Faculty
The College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University is home to a vibrant community of engaged faculty, dedicated staff, industry professionals, and accomplished scholars devoted to the process of innovation and excited by the prospect of producing knowledge in the service of others. Meet the members of our Catholic Studies program.