Religious Studies Program Overview
We challenge our Religious Studies students to REACH HIGHER...
Religion is among the oldest academic disciplines pursued by humanity. The Religious Studies courses at Saint Francis University aim to provide each student the opportunity to explore the universal dimension of religious existence in the world and to study the Catholic-Christian faith as a particular religious commitment which empowers the believer to participate more fully in contemporary society, understanding that for human beings, the world is the place where God is revealed.
Saint Francis University offers a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies. Students may also select religious studies as either a self-designed double major or as a minor to complement other disciplines with Christian values and goals. Such combined studies make a student especially attractive to future employers. A student need not rush to declare religious studies as a major. In the first year, a student may wish to include a religious studies course among courses taken for general degree requirements. A student may wish to explore the many wonderful ideas and areas as Faith and Franciscanism, Church History, Franciscan Life, Justice, Peace and Human Relations, Religion and Personality, World Religions, Moral Decision-Making and Religion and Literature. General education course work in psychology, political science, social work, philosophy, and related disciplines provide a solid grounding in the liberal arts. The program helps students develop the critical thinking skills essential for understanding religious and ethical issues.
Students frequently cite an interest in helping people and improving society as their motivation in selecting religious studies as a major. With the profound ethical and value issues facing society in the 21st century, religious studies provide an important way of understanding and integrating students personal values into almost any career choice or professional path.
Program Highlights:
Low students-to-faculty ratio in advising allows for individualized personal attention.
Practicum in religious studies gives students an opportunity for service in neighboring parishes or agencies or in volunteer work. Such service will be supervised and evaluated by department faculty in light of the career objectives of the student.
The Dorothy Day Center on campus gives an added dimension for student Christian life practiced by providing opportunities for working among the poor in the local area, nursing home visitations or involvement in a variety of activities promoting social justice and peacemaking.
Highly-qualified faculty recognized for teaching and professional accomplishments by students, colleagues, and alumni.
A course in Special Topics allows students to submit suggestions to the faculty for special course work and to tailor the program more closely to their personal goals.
A multi-disciplinary approach is utilized which incorporates the perspectives of social science, psychology, history, philosophy and liberal arts.
Individualized learning opportunities with reading or research in the student's area of interest is possible under the direction of a professor.
The curriculum provides an understanding of the Franciscan heritage, values and traditions including service to one's community.
Religious Studies fosters an understanding of ethical issues.
The program promotes respect for all forms of diversity including religious diversity.
Students are offered a broad range of knowledge providing an effective counterpoint to their major.
Our students reach to explore different opportunities...
On-campus activities:
National Honor Society for Theology/Religious Studies, Theta Alpha Kappa (Alpha Gamma chapter).
Independent study and self-designed double majors-opportunities to combine career objectives in political science, psychology, social work, education with Christian values and goals. Such combined study makes one especially attractive to future employers.
Publications: an opportunity for student writing of excellent quality to be published in the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa, published nationally twice each year.
Off-campus opportunities:
International Study Program in Mexico or Canada
Christian Service: a practicum in religious studies which gives students an opportunity for service in neighboring agencies or in summer volunteer work.
Field trips and intercollegiate seminars with faculty members and other students.
Justice and Peace Center: special association with Dorothy Day Center for Justice and Peace is an added dimension for student Christian life and practice.
Program opportunities:
A strong liberal arts foundation that provides a broad-based education, equipping students with the ability to write clearly, speak persuasively, solve problems and achieve success in life.
An interactive student/teacher relationship.
Numerous opportunities for hands-on experience. An internship program enables students to integrate classroom theory with work experience.
A focus on ethics, communication and critical thinking is integrated into all courses.
Excellent job and/or graduate school placement record for graduates.
If you want to reach higher in Religious Studies,
Please contact:
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Saint Francis University
P.O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940-0600
(814) 472-3217
or
Admissions Department
Saint Francis University
P.O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940-0600
(814) 472-3100
(814)462-3335 FAX
admissions@francis.edu