Study: Most Catholic Colleges No Longer Require Catholic Theology

The Cardinal Newman Society ^ | 12/11/12

[marshmallow]

Catholic colleges that have maintained a strong religious identity also have the strongest core curricula, according to a new study from The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). The study finds that students at most other U.S. Catholic colleges can avoid the study of Catholic theology altogether.

Dr. Kimberly Shankman, dean of Benedictine College and a research fellow for the CNS Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education, finds that Catholic colleges generally devote a larger share of undergraduate requirements to general education than other U.S. colleges. Many also require particular courses for all students instead of offering a menu of electives, as is common in most American colleges today.

But when compared to a subset of Catholic colleges with very strong religious identity—those recommended in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, a publication of The Cardinal Newman Society—most Catholic colleges offer significantly less comprehensive and coherent core curricula. Dr. Shankman found that 78 percent of the Newman Guide colleges require 55 credit hours or more for general education, whereas 75 percent of other Catholic colleges require 44 credit hours or fewer.“

It is no coincidence that the colleges most committed to Catholic education devote a larger share of courses to the liberal arts—especially Catholic theology and philosophy—than to specialized studies,” said CNS President Patrick J. Reilly. “Dean Shankman’s work underscores the distinctions among Catholic colleges and the need to rediscover the liberal arts as essential to personal growth, intellectual development and even career preparation.”

[YHAOS]

Then it’s not a “Catholic” College.

[EEGator]

How about covering up the cross when King Obama speaks? That was truly Catholic of them.

[Bshaw]

My Alma Mater sure did require it: Ohio Dominican University - Columbus, Ohio.

[Mach9]

Whoa—it’s not just Catholic colleges, and it’s not even limited to Theology (Catholic or otherwise). Up to the early 70s, philosophy blocks (comprising history of, ethics, logic, & aesthetics) allowed certain theology-substitutions to meet graduation requirements. The whole block ceased to be required during the re-invention of the university to allow for gender/race studies and other slop courses. As a result, not even today’s “well educated” have a clue about how to evaluate what passes as morality or beauty, and only the math-majors have any understanding of reasoned thinking. Religion courses? They’re just for seminarians and bigots. We’re not just slouching toward Gomorrah; we’re prone.

[ohioman]

I know several conservative Catholics who will be hoping that the Fighting Irish get their ass kicked by Alabama in the BCS National Title Game in January. The sad part of this is that they all were ND fans for years. However, since ND no longer follows the tenants of the Cathlic faith (e.g. Love for having Obama on campus and pro-gay campus groups santioned by the university), these guys no longer follow this formerly-Catholic University. You would think the the Pope would rip Father Jenkins a new one.

[ohioman]

I know several conservative Catholics who will be hoping that the Fighting Irish get their ass kicked by Alabama in the BCS National Title Game in January. The sad part of this is that they all were ND fans for years. However, since ND no longer follows the tenants of the Cathlic faith (e.g. Love for having Obama on campus and pro-gay campus groups sanctioned by the university), these guys no longer follow this formerly-Catholic University. You would think the the Pope would rip Father Jenkins a new one.

[YHAOS]

"However, since ND no longer follows the tenants of the Cathlic faith"

Some people just don't seem to understand that their decisions sometimes have consequences they didn't foresee.

[YHAOS]

See #8. Should have pinged you. My bad.