COURSE CURRICULUM

The Catholic Studies program at St. Francis Xavier University offers a rich and interdisciplinary curriculum designed to provide students with a deep understanding of Catholicism’s historical, cultural, and intellectual contributions. Core courses explore fundamental themes such as the Catholic story, imagination, sin and salvation, Christ in the Catholic tradition, eschatology, angels and demons, Catholicism in Canada, and classical texts spanning the early, medieval, early modern, and contemporary Church. Students also examine the intersection of Catholicism with science, the arts, and social teaching, through courses like Classical Debates in Science and Christianity, Contemporary Issues in Christianity and Science, Catholicism and the Arts I & II, and Catholic Social Teaching. To complement these core courses, students can choose electives across a wide range of disciplines, including Art, Celtic Studies, English, French, History, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Sociology. Elective options allow students to study medieval and Renaissance art, Celtic Christianity, classical and medieval literature, philosophy of religion, the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, early Christian women, the Reformation, and historical social movements like the Antigonish Movement. This combination of core and elective courses ensures that students develop a nuanced understanding of Catholicism’s spiritual, cultural, and intellectual legacy while engaging critically with its ongoing impact on contemporary society and human experience.