Catholic studies is an interdisciplinary program studying Catholicism through an intellectual and academic approach. By examining Catholic history, art, politics and social life, students will learn about the people, places and principles that make up one of the world’s oldest and most influential institutions.
The Catholic Studies program in the Faculty of Arts is the largest in Canada and offers a range of opportunities for students. Courses are drawn from departments such as History, Philosophy, Religion and the Fine Arts. In the summers, travel study courses may be offered. Financial awards are available as scholarships, bursaries and essay prizes. The goal is not to proselytize or to defend, but to study, explore, understand and engage students in the culture that is Catholicism.
The Catholic Studies program grew out of the Jesuit Centre for Catholic Studies which is a research, service and teaching facility located in St. Paul’s College. The Centre conducts research on a variety of topics relevant to the Catholic and Ignatian traditions. Each year the Centre hosts several public lectures, lunch-hour talks and other scholarly events that examine the historical and contemporary relevance of the Catholic Church, the Society of Jesus and Christianity more generally.
