Bachelor of Arts (A.B.)

Purpose
The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts program at Sacred Heart Major Seminary is to provide an undergraduate liberal arts degree in a four-year format with a major in philosophy or pastoral theology.

General Education Course Guidelines

1. That students develop the habit of using and integrating faith and reason.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will articulate in writing or orally the distinction and the relationship of faith and reason.
2. That students shall be able to read carefully, think critically, write clearly, and speak persuasively.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will be able to read works in various genres and be able to understand their principal arguments and themes.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will be able to participate in thoughtful conversations about important subjects and be able to give oral presentations.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will be able to organize and defend arguments in writing that make their points-of-view clear and persuasive.
3. That students achieve a knowledge of the roots and prospects for Western civilization.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will gain an imaginative and historic understanding of their own lives as informed by the Christian culture of the West.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will be able to compare and contrast the various phases of Western Culture— the Classical, Christian, and Modern views.
4. That students understand modern mathematical and scientific method for understanding the world.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will be able to carry out measurements, solve problems, and make calculations in order to understand the findings and functions of the natural sciences.
   • Learning Outcome: Students will be able to explain the power and limitations of the experimental method.

That students achieve knowledge of both the historical and systematic aspects of the Western philosophical tradition, particularly, though not exclusively, the tradition of Thomism.

• Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate a grasp of basic insights about nature, humanity, and God.
• Learning Outcome: Students will be able to explain the structure of the Summa Theologica and demonstrate an ability to use it.

Pastoral Theology Major Goal
Course of Study

That students achieve knowledge of both historical and systematic aspects of Catholic doctrine and its application in ministry.

• Learning Outcome: Students will be able to define and explain at least two basic truths in each of the areas of theological foundations, spirituality, moral theology, ecclesiology, Sacred Scriptures, liturgy and sacraments.

Admissions Process