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Intellectual Dimension

Intellectual Dimension

The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Pre-Theology program comprises two years of philosophical studies combined with languages and theology.  The fifth addition of the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) specifies that a man satisfies 30 credit hours of philosophy and has a basis in Latin and Greek in addition to Spanish (6 hours of Latin, 6 hours of Greek, 6 hours of Spanish).  Eighteen credit hours of theology are also recommended by the PPF.  All of these credit hours are undergraduate credit hours.

PRE-THEOLOGY I FALL

LAT 507

Ecclesiastical Latin I

PHL 509

Ancient Philosophy

PHL 515

Logic

THL 501

Practical Theological Concepts

THL 505

History Of Christian Spirituality

PRE-THEOLOGY I SPRING

PTH 502

Ecclesiastical Latin II

PHL 517

Medieval Philosophy

PHL 511

Epistemology

THL 502

Introduction to Dogmatic Theology

THL 506

Church Communications

PHL

(Elective)

PRE-THEOLOGY II FALL

GRK 507

Biblical Greek I

PHL 501

Philosophy of the Human Person

PHL 512

Metaphysics

PHL 518

Modern Philosophy

SPA 501

Basic Spanish I

PRE-THEOLOGY II SPRING

PHL 519

Contemporary Philosophy

GRK 508

Biblical Greek II

PHL 502

Ethics

PHL 516

Natural Theology

THL 507

Introduction to Liturgy

SPA 502

Basic Spanish II

MAPS Program

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary offers a two-year graduate level program in Philosophical Studies. This program enables seminarians enrolled in the Pre-Theology Program an opportunity for advanced study of philosophy. The Master of Arts (Philosophical Studies), or MAPS, is designed for the Pre-Theology seminarian who seeks philosophical formation, at the graduate level, while also fulfilling the philosophy prerequisites for admission into the Theological Seminary as articulated in the Program for Priestly Formation – 5th Edition.

The MAPS degree program is intended to satisfy the PPF, 5th Edition philosophy prerequisites for the Pre-Theology program and is intended only for Pre-Theology seminarians at SCBS. While Pre-Theology seminarians need not enroll in or complete the MAPS program in order to fulfill the requirements for the Pre-Theology program, the MAPS program can serve those seminarians who seek philosophical studies at the graduate level.

Description

The MAPS program for Pre-Theology seminarians requires a total of 36 graduate credits in philosophy coursework as well as comprehensive oral and written examinations in philosophy.

  • The MAPS program satisfies the philosophy prerequisites for entrance into theology studies as outlined in the Program for Priestly Formation – 5th Edition.
  • Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is fully accredited by the Association for Theological Schools and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Educational Goals:

  • Analyze the role of the Western philosophical tradition in the development and articulation of Christian theology, as well as the role of philosophy in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in logic, including syllogistic logic, and philosophical argumentation.
  • Interpret, analyze and synthesize advanced philosophical texts and materials.
  • Demonstrate synthesis and critical analysis of the history of philosophy and of the major topic areas in philosophical inquiry.
  • Demonstrate facility with philosophical research and argumentation, both oral and written.
  • Analyze the role of the Western philosophical tradition in the development and articulation of Christian theology, as well as the role of philosophy in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Curriculum

The Master of Arts (Philosophical Studies) requires 30 credits in core courses, 6 credits in elective courses, and both oral and written comprehensive examinations.

The structure of the MAPS program is as follows:

COURSE

DESCRIPTION

History of Philosophy (12 Credits)

Ancient Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, and Contemporary Philosophy

Metaphysics (6 Credits)

Metaphysics, Natural Theology

Philosophical Anthropology and Other Courses (12 Credits)

Philosophy of The Human Person, Ethics, Epistemology, Logic

Elective Courses (6 Credits)

Select Offerings

Sequence of Courses (M.A.P.S. Degree):

The sequence of courses is as follows:

PRE-THEOLOGY I - Fall Semester

PHL 509

Ancient Philosophy

PHL 515

Logic

PRE-THEOLOGY I - Spring Semester

PHL 517

Medieval Philosophy

PHL 511

Epistemology

PHL

Elective

PRE-THEOLOGY II - Fall Semester

PHL 501

Philosophy Of The Human Person

PHL 518

Modern Philosophy

PHL 512

Metaphysics

PHL

Elective

PRE-THEOLOGY II - Spring Semester

PHL 502

Ethics

PHL 519

Contemporary Philosophy

PHL 516

Natural Theology

PHL

Elective

Oral and Written Comprehensive Examinations

Admission

To be eligible to seek the MAPS degree, students must be enrolled as Pre-Theology seminarians, subject to the requirements of the Pre-Theology program at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. In addition, students must:

  1. Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  2. Demonstrate evidence of academic ability (this requirement is normally met by an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher)
  3. Gain the permission of the Program Director who will consult with the Vice Rector for the College, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the respective Vocation Director.

 

For more information about the MAPS program or to apply, please contact:

Reverend Patrick J. Brady, Vice Rector for the College
Tel: (610) 785-6520
Email: pbrady@scs.edu

 James M. Despres, Ph.D. MAPS Program Director
Tel: (610) 785-6526
Email: jdespres@scs.edu

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