The interdisciplinary Sanctity of Life minor explores questions of human dignity across the academic disciplines of theology, philosophy, science, politics, and social science. The minor is housed in the Theology Department and administered through the Saint Vincent Center for Catholic Thought and Culture (CCTC). Our desire is to provide a rigorous program based on an integrated understanding of human life to better orient ourselves to what Saint Pope John Paul II called a Culture of Life and a Civilization of Love. Deeply animated by our college’s mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, and liberal arts institution, the minor provides an academically robust program that fully explores a broad range of human-life questions with an open heart seeking truth, listening to others, and responding both courageously and charitably to the challenges we face as citizens and humans in the 21st century. Surveying the world today, the message of Life has never been more urgent.
Consider for instance perennial questions of human life emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic such as:
The purpose of this minor program is not to engage in partisan activities, but to better inform through academic excellence some of the public debates that ensnare our nation and the world. While there are a host of public policies to address at the local, state, and national level, the purpose of our program is academic, not activistic.
Sanctity of Life Minor (18 credits)
Gospel of Life, Gospel of Creation 3 Credits
Catholic Social Teaching 3 Credits
Philosophical Anthropology 3 Credits
Science and Bioethics 3 Credits
Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties 3 Credits
Empirical Analyses of Faith, Family, and Life 3 Credits
In addition to the six required courses for the minor, students will be
encouraged to take other electives related to the Sanctity of Human
Life to further deepen their knowledge. Students will be encouraged to
couple the minor with a service-oriented internship or project.