Christianity and Culture in Rome

Summary

What? 3-credit (ECTS) course on Christianity and Culture in Rome

Who? Two tracks will be offered:

• Track One: University teachers and directors
• Track Two: University students at the bachelors and masters level.

Where? Pontificio Ateneo Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy.

When? Monday, July 24^th (first day of classes) – Wednesday, August 2^nd (last day of classes), 2017

Why? Along with colleagues and students of the Red Anáhuac, we seek to create an interdisciplinary, Catholic current of thought, within the context of the emerging global culture.

How much? 1,050€

Includes:

• Registration and course tuition
• Materials
• Transport and outing-costs for programmed course activities

Does NOT include:

• Airfare to Rome
• Food or accommodation. A list of suggested accommodations (local convents, hotels, etc., will be provided.)

Registration deadline? April 4, 2017. A minimum of 16 persons is necessary for the activation of the course. A decision will be made by April 21, 2017 about the activation of the course. Late registration will be allowed until July 3, 2017 with a 100€ late registration fee.

General Description

The course seeks to form, network and empower talented students to evangelize culture. It elaborates and transmits the Catholic Worldview through an interdisciplinary study. Concretely, it consolidates this Catholic Weltanschauung in the students by looking at culture changes in history and the emerging global culture from the perspective of faith. Through this, they acquire a comprehensive orientation to interpret Western culture and the emerging global culture.

The students learn to appreciate the roots of Western culture. By analyzing the current situation of our society, they learn to understand the religious, ethical and philosophical context of culture. By projecting the responses to future challenges, they apply that knowledge to today’s world.

Classes by different experts take historical, religious, philosophical and ethical perspectives on culture. Through numerous occasions for fieldwork and cultural outings in Rome and beyond, these theoretical perspectives are enhanced by experiences at the very historical sites where they were once lived out.

Teaching staff

Academic Director: Fr. Alex Yeung, L.C., Ph.D.

Assistant Academic Coordinator: Fr Sameer Advani L.C., Ph.L., STh.L.

Outing Coordinator: Jan Bentz, Ph.L., Ph.D. (candidate)

Lecturers will be from the Faculty of Philosophy, Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

Collaboration in specific themes from the Acton Institute, Rome, and the Istituto della Donna, Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

Language

Spanish and English

Learning Competencies

1. Acquire a general understanding of major developments in European History, focusing on the relationship of religion and culture (content).
2. Identify and describe forces and patterns that drive culture change (context).
3. Interpret reality of society through a Catholic Weltanschauung and to respond to cultural challenges according to it (application). 

Methodology

The course provides an interactive methodology, combining lectures, workshops and outings. This enables students to be the protagonists of their own formation. To make this possible required, readings are assigned in preparation for the course.

The learning experience of the course leads to creative responses to a catalogue of questions about actual cultural challenges that the students have to deliver in form of group projects (such as essays, audio-visual presentations, cultural startup initiatives, etc.).

Evaluation

• Class Participation (50%)
• Group Project (50%)

Certification

• Those who have successfully completed the course requirements will received a certificate with ECTS at the end of the course.

Program / Interdisciplinary Content**

[Hist] = History; [Phil] = Philosophy; [Eth] = Ethics; [Theo] = Theology

(Discussion groups will be according to the two tracks. Some courses will be given to both tracks simultaneously. Other courses may be given to the two tracks separately, or a theme may be changed to better address the groups’ needs.)

• Introduction

• Foundations of Western Culture
• [Hist] Medieval foundations of Western Culture
• [Hist] The medieval roots of the University and its history
• [Phil] What is Culture? Culture and its impact on human fulfillment
• [Eth] Metaphysics as foundation for Ethics
• [Theol] Catholic Integral Humanism

• Catholic Worldview on Western Culture
• [Phil] Romano Guardini: A thinker of the Catholic Worldview
• [Eth] Introduction to the Catholic Social Doctrine
• [Phil] Ideologies in Today’s Culture
• [Theo] Religious truth, tolerance and liberty.

• Catholic Leadership in Today’s Culture
• [Theol] Forms of Catholic Intellectual Leadership
• [Phil] Technology, Digitalization and Social Networks
• [Eth] The “Neuro” Revolution
• [Eth] The Role of Catholic Women in Cultural Progress

• Conclusion: Catholic Culture Leadership

** some themes are subject to change depending on the availability of the teachers.                 

Credit Distribution

3 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) = 75 hours

Preparatory work

• 10 hours personal study before arrival (reading of Dawson, The Making of Europe, 1932 [Los orígenes de Europa, 2007²], parts I and III (170 pages))

On-site activities

• 30 hours conferences and discussions
• 10 hours group work and presentation
• 25 hours field work and workshops

Calendar

Bibliography:

Required readings:

• Dawson, The Making of Europe (1932), parts I and III (170 pages)
• Anthology of essays from various authors: Pope Francis, Benedict XVI, St. John Paul II, St. Augustine, R. Guardini, E. Gilson, W.A. Orton, G.K. Chesterton,