Braegelman Catholic Studies, B.A.

The Braegelman Catholic Studies Program at the College of St. Scholastica is guided by the conviction that Catholicism is one of the world’s great monuments of human flourishing, the rigorous and sensitive study of which benefits the Church, academy, and society. The program focuses on three primary content areas: the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Benedictine Heritage. Reflecting the inherent breadth of Catholicism, the program is interdisciplinary in nature, highlighting for students the complementary interaction of faith and reason, religion and culture, Church and state.

The program offers a major and a minor in Catholic Studies. The major is designed to fit nicely with any number of other fields of study and will work well as a double, or second, major for many students. 

The program was endowed by the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery and named for Sister Athanasius Braegelman, president of the College from 1942-54, and Sister Bernice Braegelman, who taught Scripture and other classes at the College from 1941-72.

Contact Information

catholicstudies@css.edu

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Catholic Studies at The College of St. Scholastica, the graduate will be able to:

1. Critically reflect on key concepts and themes within the Catholic intellectual tradition from theological, historical, and biblical perspectives.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles and key manifestations of the Catholic imagination.
3. Identify and explain key Benedictine contributions to Catholicism.
4. Explore principles of Catholic social teaching and apply them to contemporary issues of justice and inclusion.

Requirements

Students must achieve the following program requirements for all courses listed under Program Requirements and Program Required Courses for the Braegelman Catholic Studies major.

Program Requirements

Major Credits: 36
Major Residency Credits:  16
Minimum GPA: 2.0

Program Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Course		4
TRS 1110	Introduction to Catholicism
Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Select one of the following:		4
TRS 1101	Introduction to Christian Theology
TRS 1103	Introduction to the Bible
TRS 2222	A History of Christian Thought
TRS 3210	Ever Ancient, Ever New: The Catholic Imagination
TRS 3350	The Person and Mission of Jesus
Catholic Social Teaching. Select one of the following:		4
TRS 2240	See, Judge, Act: Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching
TRS 2777	Topics in Religion (For Care of the Earth: Catholic Social Teaching & Sustainability)
Benedictine Heritage. Select one of the following:		4
TRS 2401	Benedictine Tradition
TRS 3240	Sacraments and Liturgy
Catholic Studies Capstone		4
TRS 4220	Catholic Studies Seminar
Sixteen credits, chosen with the help of the program director from the following: 1		16
Theology & Religious Studies
Art
Philosophy
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Total Credits		36

¹

At least 8 of these credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. Students will be encouraged to select courses that demonstrate the depth and breadth of the Catholic intellectual tradition. These should be courses that offer complementary and challenging perspectives on themes addressed by the three program content areas. In the words of Pope Francis, these are courses that will have the ability “to open new horizons, to stimulate thought, to expand the mind and the heart.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 256)

Degree Requirements

To graduate from The College of St. Scholastica, baccalaureate students must meet the following minimum degree requirements.

Total Credits: 120
Upper Division Credits: 40
Residency Requirement: 30
Minimum GPA: 2.0