American Catholicism Today

Catalog description

Taught by JST. Intended for future church leaders (both lay and ordained) as well as for students interested in religious trends and sociology of religion more generally, this course is designed to provide an sociological snapshot of the Catholic Church as it currently exists in the U.S. Among the topics to be addressed include: Catholic identity; institutional change; community and subcultures; religious leadership; and public Catholicism. Also serving as an introduction to sociological theory and method, this course also aims to equip students with the analytical tools to better understand and respond to various socio-cultural dynamics that will likely confront them throughout their academic and/or ministerial careers. [Faculty Consent required; 20 max enrollment]