By Jordan Stone
Beginning this fall, the University will offer a new minor in Catholic studies through the Garaventa Center.
The Theology Department will be the academic home for the minor, providing administration for classes and students, while the Garaventa Center provides financial resources from donations and program resources.
Margaret Hogan, the executive director of the Garaventa Center, said that a national trend in Catholic studies and a demand for such programs in the west influenced UP to form the minor.
In 2004 there was "sufficient interest" from students who wanted a Catholic studies minor. Following a year of study of other institutions, a proposal was sent to faculty in 2006. It was "unanimously" approved by the Curriculum and Academic Regulation Committee and the Academic Senate in late March.
One benefit of such minors at other institutions is they attract donations, but Hogan sees this as just a benefit of the minor and not an intended goal for its development.
"[The donations] are just an observation of what we saw at other institutions," Hogan said.
The minor will require 18 credit hours, but three of those are Philosophy 150, which every UP student is required to take regardless of major.
The minor requires four classes in the 300 or 400 level that carry Catholic studies credit. There are currently seven academic disciplines with courses that qualify for Catholic studies, including environmental studies, history, business administration, and economics.
"The interdisciplinary courses separate [Catholic studies minors] from Theology and Social Justice [minors]," Hogan said.
The program will be advised by Hogan and Matthew Baasten, the chair of the Department of Theology.
According to Hogan, students will be invited to special activities such as public lectures and conferences sponsored by the Garaventa Center that will enrich their experience in the Catholic studies minor. Participation in such activities, however, will not be required to complete the minor.
Junior Erin Angerer sees the benefit of the minor as a way to study religion in real world environments.
"[It is] a really good program for people interested in studying faith who want to seek a professional degree," Angerer said.
Although Angerer doesn't expect to enroll in the minor program, she believes that the minor should be interesting enough, especially at UP, to attract a fair amount of students.
"It incorporates the mission of the University in teaching, faith and service," Angerer said. "I think it will interest a majority of students on this campus."
