Teaching the Tradition: Catholic Themes in Academic Disciplines

by John J. Piderit, Melanie M. Morey

Overview

From the origin of universities through their first six hundred years of existence, philosophy and theology were the central disciplines. That changed dramatically in the nineteenth century. As German universities started to establish chairs in mathematics, chemistry, and philology, new academic departments became more distinct and religious issues formerly addressed gradually receded into the background.

This book focuses on religious issues relating to current academic disciplines. Contributors draw upon insights from two theological essays to address religious themes, especially Catholic ones, pertinent to their discipline as it is taught on the undergraduate level.

In addition to Catholic anthropology and theology, the chapters address Catholic issues in English literature, philosophy, political theory, history, mathematics, biology, physics and astronomy, psychology, environmental studies, art, music, business and economics, education, medicine, and law.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199795314
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/07/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Fr. Piderit taught economics at Fordham University and served as president of Loyola University Chicago from 1993 to 2001. He is now the president of the Catholic Education Institute, a group which seeks new ways to educate Catholics, both at the secondary and the tertiary level.

Dr. Melanie M. Morey has worked in the field of education and administration for the past thirty-five years. In the past ten years, Dr. Morey has worked primarily as a researcher and consultant to Catholic colleges and universities, religious congregations, and other Catholic institutions, dealing with issues of governance, sponsorship, leadership, institutional identity and Catholic culture. She is the assistant dean for assessment at Saint Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, CA.

Table of Contents

Introduction, The Editors

Part I Foundations
Chapter 1: Fundamental Catholic Theology
David Gentry-Akin
Chapter 2: Catholic Anthropology
Rev. Thomas P. Rausch, S.J.
Chapter 3: Perspectives in Catholic Theology
Lawrence Cunningham
Chapter 4: Perspectives in Catholic Philosophy I
Rev. Brian Shanley, O.P.
Chapter 5: Perspectives in Catholic Philosophy II
Rev. David B. Burrell, C.S.C

Part II The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in the Humanities
Chapter 6: Poetry and Catholic Themes
Angela Alaimo O'Donnell
Chapter 7: Drama and Catholic Themes
Ed Block, Jr.
Chapter 8: Fiction and Catholic Themes
Paul Contino
Chapter 9: Part I - Christian Literature in a Secular University
Robert Kiely
Part II - The View From a Church-Related University
Paul J. Contino
Chapter 10: Political Theory and Catholic Themes
Jeanne Heffernan Schindler
Chapter 11: History in a Catholic Perspective
Glenn Olsen
Chapter 12: Mathematics, Reality, and God
Rev. Paul Schweitzer, S.J.
Chapter 13: Catholic Themes in Art and Music
Charles Scribner III

Part III Religious Themes Related to the Sciences
Chapter 14: Psychology's in a Catholic Perspective
Jeffrey Adams
Chapter 15: Evolutionary Biology in a Catholic Framework
Oliver Putz
Chapter 16: Environmental Studies in a Catholic Framework
Elaine Grose
Chapter 17: Physics and Astronomy in a Catholic Framework
Rev. William Stoeger, S.J.

Part IV The Good Life in the Professions
Chapter 18: Economics and Business in a Catholic Perspective
Rev. John Piderit, S.J
Chapter 19: Education in a Catholic Framework
Melanie M. Morey
Chapter 20: Medicine, Health, and Catholic Themes
Rev. Myles Sheehan, S.J., M.D.
Chapter 21: Law in a Catholic Framework
Patrick McKinley Brennan

Editorial Reviews

"Are you a faculty member, department chair or other academic leader interested in creating or reworking courses and curricula so that they provide an education in the riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition across the disciplines? Then this is the book for you. It will serve as a resource both for theory and content in any project of educational renewal in the Catholic spirit and tradition."
— John C. Cavadini, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Church Life, Notre Dame University

"An ambitious and surprisingly lively work...a high quality work of potential interest for the theology or education collection of any academic library, and an essential volume for educators at religious institutions."—Catholic Library World

"This book is a profound resource for primarily Catholic institutions to revisit the core of their existence as a platform to critically reflect on a faith journey."—Journal of Education and Christian Belief

From the Publisher