Curriculum | Course Descriptions & Faculty | Application | Faith Formation Trips | Library
| INSTITUTE OF CATHOLIC STUDIES |
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“'Faith Seeks Understanding': it is intrinsic to faith that a believer desires to know better the One in whom he has put his faith, and to understand better what He has revealed; a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith, increasingly set afire by love.” - CCC, #158 |
The Institute of Catholic Studies provides Mason and NVCC students with the opportunity to grow deeper in their intellectual understanding of the faith. Through college level courses, study trips, apologetic speakers and access to a faith library, students at a secular campus can round out their education with a serious look at the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Curriculum:
Each semester, we will hire dynamic professors to teach a 6 week course specifically designed to challenge the student without interfering with their University course load. The class size will be kept to 15-20 students to foster discussion. A commitment to attendance and participation is expected for acceptance.
Catechetical Certification:
Some students who are interested in taking courses through ICS may want to consider working towards catechetical certification. This certification is helpful in preparing students for working or volunteering for the Church at the parish or in a Catholic school setting. The student must complete 50 hours of course work in order to receive a certificate. All students are certified by the bishop of the Diocese of Arlington.
Core courses (24 hours):
Faith Foundations and Apologetics – PART I
Faith Foundations and Apologetics – PART 2
Elective courses (24 hours):
Philosophical Foundations, Christian Morality, Old Testament, New Testament, Theology of the Body, Liturgy and Sacraments, others as offered and Faith Formation trips can also be used toward fulfilling elective requirements.
Lectures (2 hours):
The final two hours needed for certification can be earned by choosing Thursday Night Supper talks or other diocesan lectures that fit ICS requirements.
Current Course Description:
Spring 2013: Christian Marriage
The institution of marriage is a basic pillar of every society in history, yet today there are few institutions more controversial or contested. What does the Church teach about marriage? What does the culture believe? What should the state do? And how do all these pieces fit together? This course will examine contemporary marriage issues in three parts: 1) The fundamentals of Church teaching on marriage, including a discussion of the ends of marriage and what it means to say marriage is natural, and marriage is a sacrament. 2) A look at the current debate over same-sex marriage and its importance for politics, society, and culture. 3) A personal and vocational look at marriage, including a shared discussion of how to address difficult marriage issues in our contemporary culture settings.
Friday 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
March 22, April 5, April 12
Stephen P. White
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Stephen P. White has been a Fellow in the Catholic Studies program at the Ethics and Public Policy Cente in Washington, DC since 2011. His work addresses the application of Catholic social teaching to a broad spectrum of contemporary public policy debates. His essays and articles have appeared in National Review Online, The Huffington Post, First Things, The Washington Times, and Magnificat. He has made a wide variety of media appearances including Fox News, BBC World News, and NPR. Mr. White studied politics at the University of Dallas and philosophy at the Catholic University of America. He lives in Falls Church, VA with his wife and daughters. |
Fall 2012: Theology of the Body
Friday 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
October 12 – November 16
Deacon Marques Silva
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Deacon Marques Silva speaks and teaches frequently on topics related to Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as well as Christian Leadership and Evangelization. He graduated with a BS from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and completed his diaconal studies through Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College. He is currently the Catholic Diocese of Arlington Director for Child Protection and Safety and assigned to St. Mary of Sorrows parish in Fairfax. He is married with four children and has vast experience in youth and college outreach and evangelization ministry.
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Fall 2011: Faith Foundations & Apologetics, Part I
Dave Glasow, PhD candidate
In this course we will use the Creed to study the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic Church. It will be a broad survey course covering the following topics: Truth, Trinity, Creation, Evil, Incarnation, Church Authority, Salvation, Mary & the Saints. The course will equip students to explain their faith to others and will be geared towards answering common questions, e.g. ‘Why is there evil in the world?’; ‘What’s up with evolution?’; ‘How can the Pope be infallible?’; etc. This course is part one of a two part course.
Spring 2012: Faith Foundations & Apologetics, Part II
Dave Glasow, PhD candidate
In this course we will study the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic Church. It will be the a broad survey course covering the following topics: Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Eucharist, Confession, Holy Orders, Marriage, Four Last Things. The course will equip students to explain their faith to others and will be geared towards answering common questions, e.g. “Why do you have to tell your sins to a priest? Why do Catholics baptize babies? Why can't women be priests?" This course is part two of a two part course.
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Mr. Glasow is a doctoral candidate at the Catholic University of America. His specialty is systematic theology with a concentration in Christology and Soteriology. He graduated with an MA from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a BS in Political Science from James Madison University. Mr. Glasow currently teaches theology at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA. He is a member of the Youth Apostles Institute and has vast experience in youth and college ministry. |
Spring 2011: Catholic Morality: Path to Happiness
William Mattison, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theology, The Catholic University of America
In this course we will study the eight articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that teach on the dignity of the human person (#1699-1876). The following topics will be covered: Imago Dei and happiness; freedom and intentionality; virtue; passions; conscience; sin.
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Fall 2010: Christian Philosophy 101
Michael Miller, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy, Mount St. Mary’s
In this course we will discuss some of the most influential philosophical ideas of Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Boethius and St. Aquinas, and learn how their thoughts support our Catholic Faith. Brief readings (3 pages per class) will be required, along with a willingness to discuss the texts and the reasons why we believe. Topics covered include the nature of truth, proofs for God’s existence, the foundation of morality, and the relationship between faith and reason. Come join the search for wisdom!
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Dr. Miller earned his Ph.D. in 2000 from Boston College, where he completed a dissertation In Defense of the Reconciliation of Divine Will and Human Freedom According to St. Thomas Aquinas. His research continues to focus upon questions that investigate the nature of God, metaphysics, and human nature. In addition to his published articles he edited Doing More with Life, a collection of essays from the perspective of various disciplines about the meaning of vocation. Dr. Miller very much enjoys teaching the department's core courses, as well as various electives, including Medieval Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Islamic Philosophy, a Now-West course in the Curriculum. Dr. Miller currently holds the Monsignor Robert R. Kline Chair of Philosophy. He joined the department in 2002. |
Course Application: No Longer Accepting Applications
Due Date is March 18
