About Catholic Studies
Catholic Studies examines, explores, and seeks to understand Roman Catholicism’s contributions to the intellectual, institutional, political, and cultural life of humanity. It is inter-disciplinary, encompassing history, theology, philosophy, anthropology, political science, sociology, and more. It also spans more than 2,000 years of human history. The chief purpose of courses and extra-curricular events in UIC’s Catholic Studies program is to make thoughtful and critical engagement with these contributions a vital part of the intellectual life of the University of Illinois, Chicago. We hope that examining the influence the Catholic Church has had on the western world from the vantage point of a secular, state-run institution in what is probably the most Catholic city in the country will enrich our understanding not only of the Catholic Church, but also of ourselves.