"This is a transformative journey that involves the whole community."

Ratio Fundamentalis

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).

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of STPSU’s Pre-Theology academic curriculum, students will be able to:

Articulate the distinction and the relationship between faith and reason according to the Catholic tradition.
Trace the development of the Western philosophical tradition by identifying its major figures, issues, and theses, with particular focus on the thought of Thomas Aquinas.
Respond effectively to issues of particular relevance to contemporary culture by formulating sound and clear arguments and counterarguments.
Read carefully (both primary and secondary philosophical sources), think critically, and communicate clearly in formal academic writing.
Translate a variety of intermediate-level Latin texts into English.
Demonstrate a well-formed imagination by identifying the basic principles of analyzing and appreciating major works of music, art, poetry, and literature in the Western canon.
Demonstrate understanding of the foundations of Church teaching in the areas contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (doctrine, liturgy, morals, and Christian prayer) and in Sacred Scripture.

STPSU’s Pre-Theology Plan of Studies is as follows:

Pre-Theology I

Fall	Spring
LA-101: Latin I (3)	LA-102: Latin II (3)
PH-101: Academic Writing I (1)	PH-102: Academic Writing II (1)
PH-114: Humanities I: Arts and Ideas: Catholic Approaches to Beauty in Music, Architecture, and Art (3)	PH-115: Humanities II: Theology through Literature (3)
PP-101: Logic (3)	PP-104: Philosophy of Nature (3)
PP-112: History of Philosophy I: Ancient Philosophy (3)	PP-113: History of Philosophy II: Medieval Philosophy (3)
TH=105: History of Christian Spirituality (3)	TH-107: The Spirit of the Liturgy (3)

Pre-Theology II

Fall	Spring
PP-205: Philosophical Anthropology (3)	PP-207: Epistemology (3)
PP-206: Metaphysics (3)	PP-209: Philosophy of God (3)
PP-208: Philosophical Ethics (3)	PP-214: Political Philosophy (3)
PP-212: History of Philosophy III: Modern Philosophy (3)	PP-213: History of Philosophy IV: Contemporary Philosophy (3)
TH-204: God and Human Existence (2)	PP-215: Capstone Seminar (1)
TH-205: Sacred Scripture: Old Testament (2)	TH-206: Sacred Scripture: New Testament (2)
GR-101: Biblical Greek I (2) (Elective - not required)	GR-102: Biblical Greek II (2) (Elective - not required)
SP-101: Pastoral-Liturgical Spanish I (2) (Elective - not required)	SP-102: Pastoral-Liturgical Spanish II (2) (Elective - not required)

Pre-Theology Program

The Discipleship Stage