Catholicism and Culture Minor
Directors
Dr. Michael Sweeney, Professor (sweeney@xavier.edu)
David Herr, SJ, Visiting Professor (herrd1@xavier.edu)
Description
Catholicism’s universality is the basis for the minor, and intellectual and cultural diversity of Catholicism is one of the fruits of St. Ignatius desire to “find God in all things.” The fifteen-credit minor examines the interaction of Catholicism and culture from the perspectives of multiple disciplines that illustrate the various ways that Catholicism has shaped and is shaping culture and the ways that culture has shaped and is shaping Catholicism. In this way, the Catholicism and Culture Minor broadens students’ academic perspective and deepens their connection to the Catholic tradition in its richness.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will critically evaluate the impact of Catholicism on culture and the impact of culture on Catholicism.
- Students will examine the influence of Catholicism on academic disciplines and vice vera.
- Students will use a multidisciplinary approach toward examining Catholicism.
Requirements
- 15 hours in courses designated as approved for the Catholicism and Culture Minor.
- No more than three courses per discipline.
Approved Courses at Xavier University
Modern Languages
Art
ARTS 270: History of Art I
English
History
Philosophy
Theology
Courses at Mount St. Mary's Seminary and School of Theology (the Athenaeum)
Students who are enrolled in the Catholicism and Culture Minor are eligible to take classes free of charge at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology (the Athenaeum, which is the seminary for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati) in Catholic Studies and Church History. Please see Professor Sweeney for assistance.
The table below shows the Fall 2026 courses that are open to XU students. Unless otherwise noted, courses run from August 24 to December 11. Course descriptions are available; again, please see Professor Sweeney.
|
|
Course |
Title |
Credit hours |
Instructor |
Schedule |
|
Catholic Studies |
CS 620 CS 632 CS 670 |
Theology of the Body Grace, Justification & Sanctification History of Christian Spirituality |
2 2 3 |
Macke Mostrom Belleza |
Th 7:00-9:40 p.m. [8/27-11/5] Th 7:00-9:40 p.m. [8/27-11/5] M, W, F 8:55-9:45 a.m. |
|
Church History |
H 511 H 520 H 570 H 651 |
Patristic Theology Early & Medieval Church History Church History: Key Issues and Eras U.S. Catholic History |
3 3 2 2 |
Johnson Endres Manderfield Endres |
T, Th 10:40-11:55 a.m. T, Th 9:20-10:35 a.m. M 7:00-9:40 p.m. M, W 8:00-8:50 a.m. |
Application for classes at Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology
Interested students must complete the application. The application simply collects contact information. No transcripts or additional materials are required.
Guest Speaker Series
The Catholicism and Culture Minor sponsors an annual guest speaker series. All talks are open to the public and free of charge.
Fall 2025
September 24, 2025: Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ
“Science, the Catholic Church, and the Recent Confluence between Faith and Science”
Kennedy Auditorium, 7:00 pm
October 13, 2025: Fr. David Endres
“Presumed Disloyal: The Disputed Place of Cincinnati Catholics in the Civil War”
Kennedy Auditorium, 7:00 pm
October 29, 2025: Timothy S. Quinn, PhD
“How Leo Became Leo: Pope Leo XIII and His Influences”
Kennedy Auditorium, 7:00 pm
November 12, 2025: Holly Schapker
“Catholicism and Art”
Kennedy Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Spring 2026
January 29, 2026: Dr. Kenneth Parker
“Who is Saint John Henry Newman? Doctor of the Church and Patron of Catholic Education”
Kennedy Auditorium, 7:00 pm
February 13, 2026: Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ
“A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars”
Kennedy Auditorium, 4:00 pm
April 9, 2026: Fr. Aaron Malnick, SJ
“Poems to Retreat By: Engaging the Catholic Imagination”
Kennedy Auditorium, 7:00 pm
April 24, 2026: Sally Read
“Poetry, the Language of God”
Kennedy Auditorium, 4:00 pm
Future Plans
The Catholicism and Culture Minor Lecture Series will be cooperating with the Angelico Project, which is sponsored by the dioceses of Cincinnati and Covington, KY
The Catholicism and Culture Minor plans to expand into field trips and social activities.
The Catholicism and Culture Minor hopes to add semester-long international study opportunities, including at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.