Course Catalog
THEO 401: Faith & Reason
Core
Course Description
The Fides et Ratio Course will invite students into an extended discussion on the relationship between freedom, truth, and love. Drawing from literature, philosophy, and theology, students will reflect, write, and discuss on the nature of human freedom while grappling with topics such as (a) theism and the meaning of life, (b) the experience of suffering, (c) the problem of evil, (e) existential atheism, (e) feminism, and (f), faith, hope, love, and ultimate happiness.
Course Objectives: (a) for students to be able to articulate and internalize some of the most important truths of our shared human experience, and (b) for students to be prepared to answer and discuss some of the most common and challenging questions they will face in a secular, collegiate environment.
Required Texts
Philippe, Jacques, Trans. Helena Scott. Interior Freedom. Scepter, 2007.
Langford, Joseph, and Teresa. Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire. Our Sunday Visitor, 2008.
Excerpts from:
Dubay, Fr. Thomas. Faith & Certitude
Kreeft, Peter. Fundamentals of the Faith & Because God is Real
Frankl, Victor. Man’s Search for Meaning
O’Brien, Michael. Fr. Elijah
Sartre, Jean Paul. Existentialism
de Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex
von Hildebrand, Alice. The Mystery of Femininity
Pope St. John Paul the Great. Mulieris Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women
Stanford, Mary. Technology and the Language of Bodily Presence
Fletcher, Peter. In Praise of the Ordinary Life
The Human Experience. Grassroots Films, 2011
Langford, Fr. Joseph. Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire
Roger Thomas. The Last Ugly Person
Kreeft, Peter. Because God is Real
Pope St. John Paul the Great. Veritatis Splendor: The Splendor of Truth
Pope St. John Paul the Great. Evangelium Vitae: The Gospel of Life
At least one work of literature
School: High School
Department: Theology
Length: One Semester
Instructor: