New
program offered at St. Thomas More College
By Luke Muller
SASKATOON — Calling a new program in Catholic studies at St. Thomas
More College a “minor” is something of a misnomer. Its impact
on Catholic education at the University of Saskatchewan is likely to
be significant, says Dr. Carl Still, dean of the federated Catholic
college on the U of S campus.
“Implementing our new
minor in Catholic studies not only significantly differentiates our
college, but emphasizes our commitment both to our students and our
Catholic mission,” says Still. “This is a major accomplishment
for STM.”
This new interdisciplinary
minor, which is now available through STM in conjunction with the College
of Arts and Science at the U of S, can be completed alongside other
arts and science three-year, four-year or honours degrees.
In January 2010, 15 students
registered in Catholic studies 200.3, the first course offered by STM
toward the fulfilment of the 18-credit units required to complete the
minor.
“The students manifested
a lively and enthusiastic interest in the subject matter,” says
Dr. John Liptay, the professor who taught the course.
Liptay, who joined the STM
philosophy department in 2005, believes that part of the program’s
appeal is its interdisciplinary approach.
“The students were
genuinely excited to learn about the influence and reach of Catholicism,
and the opportunity to do work across a range of disciplines proved
both interesting and challenging to them,” says Liptay, adding,
“The new minor in Catholic studies is certainly a great way for
our students to supplement their major program area of study.”
Broadly speaking, Catholic
studies explores how Catholicism has influenced and contributed to various
forms and patterns of thought and cultural expression.
It provides an interdisciplinary
approach to the academic study of Catholicism, one that encourages students
to investigate its history, its artistic and literary culture, and its
engagement with modern science, philosophy, and theology.
“While the minor will be of special interest to those students who are of the Catholic faith,” says Liptay, “the opportunity to learn about the mutually enriching relationship that Catholicism has had with thought and culture should have broad appeal, perhaps even extending beyond the college to the community level.”
The college recently committed
publicly to the success of its emerging Catholic studies program through
the launch of an Inspiring Minds fundraising campaign, which is focused
on establishing an endowed academic position in Catholic studies at
STM.
The position will be a prestigious
academic post within the college. It is being introduced as a way to
distinguish STM as a pre-eminent source of Catholic education. It will
be funded through the support of STM’s alumni and friends, as
well as by those from the wider Catholic community who support the college’s
educational mission.
Liptay says that the establishment
of the endowed academic position is crucial to the success of Catholic
studies at STM.
“The person who assumes this position will play a key role in fostering, promoting and developing the Catholic studies program at STM. This will likely involve the design and creation of new courses and perhaps even an internal development of the program to include a major.”
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