The disciplines of Philosophy and Theology lie at the center of Jesuit education. These two courses challenge students to reflect on their own and others’ worldviews by wrestling with “ultimate questions” in dialogue with the Catholic, Jesuit tradition.
"The Jesuit purpose in higher education is to move the minds and hearts of developing humans. The direction of this movement, in the Jesuit view, is Godward (which is why Jesuits think that theology is an essential part of a college education). The norm is truth (which is the rationale for including philosophy). The outcome, it is to be hoped, is wisdom (hence the importance of the humanities in Jesuit education). And wisdom, in the Jesuit understanding, is a gift from God that enables the recipient to understand what is really important in events past or present."
William J. Byron, SJ, Jesuit Saturdays, p. 9
The disciplines of Philosophy and Theology lie at the intellectual center of the Catholic, Jesuit educational tradition. Each of these disciplines, in its own way, engages “ultimate questions” regarding the meaning of human existence and desire for transcendence—questions of faith and the divine, of creation and human destiny, of evil, reconciliation, and the good. The University Core introduces students to these disciplines in courses that ask students to reflect critically on their own and others’ worldviews by wrestling with ultimate questions in dialogue with the Catholic, Jesuit tradition.
This Core component area consists of two courses (allowing for suitable flexibility to accommodate varied faculty expertise). In the structure of the Core, this component area is distinct from, and should not be confused with, a “Way of Thinking” or an “Attribute.” These courses have specific requirements and are not intended to be fulfilled by any course with philosophical or theological content; rather, they are meant to introduce students to the disciplines of philosophy and theology in general and, in particular, to bring students into dialogue with Catholic, Jesuit beliefs and traditions of thought and spiritual and moral practice.
Click on the icons below for information on each Core component, including a description, teaching resources, proposal submission information, and artifact design/assessment when applicable.
Ultimate Questions: Philosophy
Ultimate Questions: Theology
Any questions may be directed to:
Atria Larson, Ph.D.
Associate Director of the Core: Theological and Philosophical Foundations
Associate Director of the Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies
AY 25-26 Subcommittee Members
Chair: Atria Larson, Theological Studies
Anne Carpenter, Theological Studies
Fr. John Peck, S.J., Jesuit Representative
Craig Boyd, School for Professional Studies
Renzo Llorente, SLU-Madrid
Susan Brower-Toland, Philosophy
Kelly Bratkowski, Graduate Instructor Representative
Youngji Cho, Undergraduate Core Fellow