Pre-Theology Program

Learning Outcomes

The Pre-Theology academic program of the Discipleship Stage prepares students for theological studies in the Configuration stage. Drawing upon their studies in philosophy, theology, and the other liberal arts, students in Pre-Theology will:

• Demonstrate a capacity for critical and charitable thinking through careful reading, clear writing, and disciplined reasoning;
• Present central ideas of major philosophers of the ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary periods, demonstrating understanding of their relationship to the Christian development of the Platonic-Aristotelian tradition;
• Articulate responses informed by the Church’s tradition of Christian humanism to questions raised by trends of life and thought in contemporary culture;
• Demonstrate understanding of basic elements of Biblical literacy and exegesis;
• Explain Catholic liturgy and spirituality in light of the sacraments, the Church, and the Trinity;
• Articulate the role in the Christian life of beauty and the imagination as it is manifested in Christian music, art, Scripture and literature;
• Acquire and utilize language skills necessary for priestly ministry.