St. Patrick’s Seminary & University’s (STPSU) Pre-Theology Program corresponds to the Discipleship Stage, as stated in the 6th edition of The Program of Priestly Formation, #278-279. The Pre-Theology Program provides an integrated introduction into the four dimensions of priestly formation for men with either no background in philosophy or no previous seminary formation experience. It helps seminarians to develop an understanding of the fruitful relationship between faith and reason in preparation for their theological studies (cf. PPF, #279-280). STPSU’s Pre-Theology Program offers a comprehensive curriculum in the Catholic philosophical tradition. As the well-formed human intellect demands a truly liberal education, the Pre-Theology Program also features coursework in the Humanities, Introductory Theology (including Sacred Scripture and Catholic spirituality), and Latin (cr. PPF, #275 and 285).
STPSU’s Pre-Theology Plan of Studies is as follows:
Fall | Spring |
PP-112: History of Philosophy I: Ancient Philosophy (3) | PP-113: History of Philosophy II: Medieval Philosophy (3) |
PP-101: Logic (3) | PP-104: Philosophy of Nature (3) |
LA-101: Latin I (3) | LA-102: Latin II (3) |
TH-101: Catechism of the Catholic Church I: Doctrine and Creed (3) | TH-103: Catechism of the Catholic Church III: Morals and Commandments (3) |
TH-102: Catechism of the Catholic Church II: Liturgy and Sacraments (3) | TH-104: Catechism of the Catholic Church IV: Spirituality and the Our Father (3) |
PH-101: Academic Writing I (1) | PH-102: Academic Writing II (1) |
Fall | Spring |
PP-212: History of Philosophy III: Modern Philosophy (3) | PP-213: History of Philosophy IV: Contemporary Philosophy (3) |
PH-103: Humanities I: Literature (2) | PH-104: Humanities II: Art and Music (2) |
PP-205: Philosophical Anthropology (3) | PP-207: Epistemology (3) |
PP-206: Metaphysics (3) | PP-209: Philosophy of God (3) |
TH-205: Sacred Scripture: Old Testament (2) | TH-206: Sacred Scripture: New Testament (2) |
PP-208: Philosophical Ethics (3) | PP-214: Political Philosophy (3) |
PP-215: Capstone Project (1) |