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Christendom
College Bulletin
Table of Contents Page
Curriculum
Studies at Christendom College are both demanding and exciting. In addition
to its core curriculum of liberal studies, which may lead to the degree
of Associate of Arts (A.A.), the College offers a number of carefully
selected majors in Classical and Early Christian Studies, English Language
and Literature, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Economics,
and Theology for students seeking the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
The various B.A. program majors are described in succeeding sections of
this Bulletin. It is recognized, however, that some students who would
profit from Christendom's Catholic instruction and high academic quality
will desire a major outside the liberal arts offered by this institution,
and this is one important reason for the clear division between the required
curriculum of 84 semester hours and the freer selection of electives and
major courses for juniors and seniors.
The Core Curriculum
Christendom College's academic program is characterized
by an exceptionally strong core curriculum. A publication of the National
Association of Scholars, The Dissolution of General Education: 1914-1993,
documents the loss of academic priorities and rigorous standards within
our nation's top baccalaureate granting institutions, especially since
the 1960s. "General education" requirements in the culturally
foundational disciplines of history, language, literature, and philosophy–not
to mention theology–have all but disappeared. In stark contrast,
Christendom College's core curriculum consists of 84 semester hours of
carefully structured courses in Catholic theology and philosophy, the
history and literature of Western civilization, classical and modern languages,
political science and economics, and mathematics and science.
Christendom College's
core curriculum, unlike the "smorgasbord" general education
requirements common in most colleges and universities, is designed to
provide the orderly, sequential presentation of fundamental principles
of theology, philosophy, and mathematical science in conjunction with
the historical and literary knowledge which is foundational for an understanding
of our civilization.
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The Introductory Curriculum
Christendom College's exploration of truth begins with
a systematic exposition of the fundamentals of Catholic doctrine in the
freshman year, followed by two courses in Sacred Scripture during the
sophomore year. In conjunction with this, courses in the Thomistic philosophy
of human nature and metaphysics assist the student in using reason to
understand the nature of reality and to illumine further the truths of
revelation.
An indispensable
element in any sound education is learning to distinguish truth from error
or distortion, and then to communicate truth accurately, effectively,
and convincingly to others. Therefore, Christendom College requires an
introduction to the fundamental questions and methods of philosophy, the
study of logic, mathematics and scientific thought, and training in the
arts of discourse, along with at least four semesters of a foreign language.
The study of a foreign
language, particularly of an inflected language such as Latin or Greek,
leads the student to an understanding of the nature and structure of language
as such, and hence to a true command of language. Furthermore, foreign
language study both enhances linguistic skills and enables the student
to gain a fuller appreciation of the European roots of American culture,
a purpose which is also served by four courses each in the great heritage
of Western literature and the history of Western civilization. For these
reasons, Christendom College's Core Curriculum includes a foreign language
requirement as an essential component of its B.A. educational program.
A minimum of two years of college-level work in a single foreign language,
classical or modern, is required for graduation from Christendom College.
Language competence must be proven by college course work at or above
the second-semester Intermediate level. Advanced proficiency in a language
achieved through a medium other than college-level courses may exempt
a student from lower level courses, although no college credits are granted
without college course work. No substitutions for or exemptions from this
requirement for proven competency in a foreign language are allowed for
the B.A. degree. The language requirement for the A.A. degree is somewhat
different from that of the B.A. degree, however. See Requirements for
the Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree below.
The transformation
of all history by the Incarnation makes a truly Christ-centered study
of the past indispensable to any who would understand the present and
shape the future. At Christendom College such a study includes a four-semester
chronological examination of the formation and disintegration of Christian
culture from ancient times to the present. Moreover, to assist students
going on to make history themselves, there are courses in political theory
and the social teachings of the Church which provide a sound alternative
to errors of modern economic systems and ideologies.
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The sequence of
courses in the core curriculum is an essential element of Christendom
College's educational program and may be deviated from only in special
cases with the permission of the Academic Dean.
Freshman
Year Core Curriculum
First Semester
(18 credit hours)
• English 101:
Literature of Western Civilization I
• History 101: Ancient and Biblical World
• Mathematics 103: Euclidean Geometry or other college-level mathematics
• Language 101: Elementary Latin, French, or Spanish (or Greek 201
for those with adequate preparation)
• Philosophy 101: Introduction to Philosophy
• Theology 101: Fundamentals of Catholic Doctrine I
Second Semester
(18 credit hours)
• English 102:
Literature of Western Civilization II
• History 102: Formation of Christendom
• Science 102: Introduction to Scientific Thought or other college-level
science
• Language 102: Elementary Latin, French, or Spanish (or Greek 202)
• Philosophy 102: Philosophy of Human Nature
• Theology 102: Fundamentals of Catholic Doctrine II
Sophomore Year Core Curriculum
First Semester
(18 credit hours)
• English 201:
Literature of Western Civilization III
• History 201: The Division of Christendom
• Political Science 201: Principles of Political Theory
• Language 201: Intermediate Latin, French, or Spanish (or Greek
301)
• Philosophy 201: Ethics
• Theology 201: Introduction to the Old Testament
Second Semester
(18 credit hours)
• English 202:
The Literature of Western Civilization IV
• History 202: Church and World in the Modern Age
• Political Science 202: Social Teachings of the Church
• Language 202: Intermediate Latin, French, or Spanish (or Greek
302)
• Philosophy 202: Metaphysics
• Theology 202: Introduction to the New Testament
Junior
Year Core Curriculum
First Semester
(6 credit hours)
• Philosophy
301: History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
• Theology 301: Moral Theology
Second Semester
(6 credit hours)
• Philosophy
302: History of Modern Philosophy
• Theology 302: Catholic Apologetics
Explanation of Course
Numbering
100–level courses are introductory and open to all
students.
200–level courses are open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and qualified
freshmen.
300–level courses are open to juniors, seniors, and other qualified
students.
400–level courses are open to juniors and seniors and are intended
only for advanced students.
500–level courses are open to seniors and qualified juniors only.
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The Advanced Curriculum and Majors
The curriculum of the junior and senior years rests
on the foundation of a six-hour requirement in the history of Philosophy
conjoined with a six-hour requirement in Theology, including moral theology
and apologetics. These courses complete the instructional Core which enables
the student both to defend the Faith rationally and to apply it effectively
to his or her own life. At Christendom College, then, a student probes
deeply into truth, practices effective communication with others, learns
from the past, and prepares to shape a Christian future.
Rounding out the
Christendom liberal education in the junior and senior years are extensive
studies in a major of the student's choice, including electives and a
senior thesis in the chosen discipline. Majors are offered in Classical
and Early Christian Studies, English Language and Literature, History,
Philosophy, Political Science and Economics, and Theology. Minor concentrations
also are available in each of these disciplines and also in Mathematics.
Specific course requirements
for each major are found below, in the section "Departmental Requirements
and Courses." Note that no course in which the final grade is below
C-minus can be used to fulfill a major requirement.
Foreign
Language Requirement
A minimum of two years of college-level work in a single
foreign language, classical or modern, is required for graduation from
Christendom College. (See “Degree Requirements” for substitutions
allowed for the Associate of Arts degree.) Language competence must be
proven by college course work at or above the second-semester Intermediate
level. Advanced proficiency in a language achieved through a medium other
than college-level courses may exempt a student from lower level courses,
though no college credits are granted without college course work.
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Junior Semester in Rome Program
"At the Heart of the Church"
The purpose of the Junior Semester in Rome Program, inaugurated in Fall,
2002, is to enhance our academic program with the cultural and intellectual
enrichment which living and studying in Rome, "at the Heart of the
Church," offers our students. Accommodations are in the heart of
Rome within walking distance of the Vatican and Rome of the Seven Hills.
Almost all students
elect to participate during either the Fall or Spring semesters in the
Junior Semester in Rome, which is the spiritual, cultural, and educational
culmination of Christendom's Core and an excellent preparation for the
student's final year of study at Christendom. However, participation in
the Junior Semester in Rome is not mandatory, and of course a student
who chooses not to participate continues to benefit from the liturgical,
educational, and social life of the Front Royal campus.
The Rome curriculum
includes the two Junior-year core courses and three courses designed specifically
to take advantage of the historical and cultural riches of Roma aeterna.
In addition to taking full advantage of the artistic, cultural, ecclesiastical,
and spiritual riches and resources of the Eternal City, the program includes
a week's visit to Florence, home of Michelangelo's David, Brunelleschi's
dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and countless other artistic
and architectural treasures, with side trips to Assisi and Siena.
Fall Semester
Rome Curriculum
- PHIL 301 History
of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
- THEO 301 Moral
Theology
- CECS/ENGL/HIST/THEO
300 Roman Perspectives
- HIST 301 Art &
Architecture of Rome and Florence
- ITAL 101 Elementary
Italian
Spring Semester
Rome Curriculum
- PHIL 302 History
of Modern Philosophy
- THEO 302 Catholic
Apologetics
- CECS/ENGL/HIST/THEO
300 Roman Perspectives
- HIST 301 Art &
Architecture of Rome and Florence
- ITAL 101 Elementary
Italian
Eligibility Requirements
1. Participation
in the Semester in Rome program is voluntary and selective; students
may elect not to participate and to continue studies uninterruptedly
on the Front Royal campus.
2. Students must have Junior standing and be full-time students.
3. Students must have had at least one year of residency at Christendom
prior to the Rome semester.
4. Students are expected to have completed the entire first 2 years
of the core curriculum and be prepared to take the full Rome Semester
curriculum listed above.
5. Students must have at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA in order to participate
in the Rome semester.
6. Students on Academic Warning or Probation may not participate in
the Rome semester.
7. Students with Incompletes on their transcripts may not participate
in the Rome semester.
8. Students must have health and disciplinary clearance from the Dean
of Student Life.
9. Students must be in good financial standing with the College.
10. Students must obtain valid passports and medical insurance valid
in Europe.
11. The College reserves the right to remove students from the Rome
program at any time.
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