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Know Your Catholic Faith

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The Department of Theology, in cooperation with the Office of Campus Ministry, offers a series of 1-credit courses under the title “Know Your Catholic Faith.”  

Each 1-credit course in the series is focused on a central feature of the Catholic faith, so that students learn what the Church teaches on these topics and gain a basic theological and personal understanding of them. The courses are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church plus other pertinent texts, supplemented by personal reflection and experiential learning where appropriate. 

These courses should meet the needs of those students who know little or nothing about the faith, as well as those who are familiar with the faith but want a firmer grasp of Catholic doctrine. 

For more information on this series, including upcoming courses, contact Emily Hammock in the Department of Theology at 574-631-5732 or ehammock@nd.edu. 

Spring 2013 Know Your Catholic Faith Courses

THEO 30014-01: Know Your Catholic Faith: Mass

Course Description:

There will be two parts to this course. In the first half we will read a brief theological commentary on the Mass which will allow us to notice its structure, and the important theological dimensions of the Mass in its parts and in its entirety. This will have a Trinitarian focus. In the second half we will let student interest decide what to cover. Possibilities include ecumenical questions, historical origins, rubrics, mass a sacrifice, rubrics, what is participation, etc. 

THEO 30015-01: Know Your Catholic Faith: Ignation Spirit

Couse Description:

This course, which will be conducted in the intensive "retreat" style on a single weekend, invites students to learn first-hand about the distinctive approach to contemplative prayer aimed at conversion of life and practical decisions for discipleship that is classically embodied in St. Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. After an introductory lecture on the theology of Christian prayer and the distinctive role of Ignatius in Christian spirituality, students will participate in lectures and presentations on the text and structure of the exercises, and will then be asked to pray through the various meditations and considerations Ignatius offers, in a brief but concentrated way. As background to the course, students will be expected to have read the section on prayer in the catechism of the Catholic Church and Ignatius of Loyola's autobiography. 
 

THEO 30037-01: Know Your Catholic Faith: A Catholic's View of World Religions

Course Description:

This course introduces the major religions of the world, describing their principle beliefs and practices as well as their development over time. The focus falls on the meaning of religious ideas and their impact on culture, from the arts, literature, and architecture to forms of law and governance. 
 

Fall 2012 Know Your Catholic Faith Courses

THEO 30011 - Section 01: Know Your Catholic Faith: Mary (CRN 15097)

Course Description:
This course will examine Mary in the Christian Tradition, particularly the primary teachings about Mary in Roman Catholicism and the implications of those teachings for contemporary Christian faith. The course is part of the Know Your Catholic Faith series offered through the Department of Theology and as such will examine all pertinent texts on Mary from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Does not fulfill the 2nd theology university requirement.

THEO 30015 - Section 01: KnowYrCath Fa: Ignation Spirit (CRN 19354)
Long Title: Know Your Catholic Faith: Ignation Spirit

Course Description:
This course, which will be conducted in the intensive "retreat" style on a single weekend, invites students to learn first-hand about the distinctive approach to contemplative prayer aimed at conversion of life and practical decisions for discipleship that is classically embodied in St. Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. After an introductory lecture on the theology of Christian prayer and the distinctive role of Ignatius in Christian spirituality, students will participate in lectures and presentations on the text and structure of the exercises, and will then be asked to pray through the various meditations and considerations Ignatius offers, in a brief but concentrated way. As background to the course, students will be expected to have read the section on prayer in the catechism of the Catholic Church and Ignatius of Loyola's autobiography.

Spring 2012 Know Your Catholic Faith Courses

 

THEO 30035 - Section 01: Know Yr Cath Faith: Cath Movie (CRN 29591)
Long Title: Know Your Catholic Faith: Catholicism, The Movie
Course Description:
The course will follow Robert Barron's DVE series, "Catholicism." We will watch the entire series and each episode will be folowed by a discussion. Required reading is the "Cathechism of the Catholic Church."

 

THEO 30012 - Section 01: Know Yr Cath Faith: Eucharist (CRN 28473)
Long Title: Know Your Catholic Faith: Eucharist
Course Description:
In this Know Your Catholic Faith course, within the department of Theology, we examine the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life. That is, the Eucharist is a mystery to be believed, celebrated, and lived. The primary reading for the course is Benedict XVI's Sacramentum caritatis, as well as selected passages from The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

THEO 30034 - Section 01: Know Yr Cath Faith: Mysticism (CRN 28909)
Long Title: Know Your Catholic Faith: Christian Mysticism
Course Description:
This course is offered as an introduction to the Christian mystical tradition from its roots in the first century to the present. Though it has many popular (and sometimes misleading) connotations, in the Christian tradition the word "mysticism" means experiential knowledge of God (cognitio Dei experimentalis) a kind of knowledge that typically has certain methods, proceeds in certain stages and, according to the testimony of many saints, culminates in something called "union" with God. We will begin by looking at the basis of Christian mysticism in the Old and New Testaments and then consider various examples of mysticism in the Christian East (e.g., Gregory Palamas) and the Christian West (e.g., Teresa of Avila), concluding with a discussion of mysticism in the Church today.

 

THEO 30033 - Section 01: Know Yr Cath Fth: Papacy (CRN 28908)
Long Title: Know Your Catholic Faith: Papacy
Course Description:
A lively look at the history and theology of the See of Rome and its occupants. Learn more about this intriguing and central element of Catholic life and self-understanding.