Franciscan Studies enable students to appreciate the vast influence of St. Francis of Assisi and members of the religious movement that he inspired upon history, theology, and spirituality, philosophy, and world culture. Embracing clergy and laity, extending the arms of Christ to the poor and marginalized, evangelizing the world beyond Christendom, the Franciscan movement has been one of the most vibrant in the Church. It has left its mark upon the geography of America from Maine to Florida, and from California to Georgia. It is even represented in the United Nations. The holiness of many of its members has been recognized by canonization. The study of things Franciscan is appropriate at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
All students of the University will derive knowledge and insight from a study of the Franciscan view of the Christian life. Members of the Third Order of St. Francis, whether Friars or Sisters of the Third Order Regular, all religious of the Franciscan Third Order, members of the Secular Franciscan Order, and all members of the Franciscan family will find the program particularly enlightening and enriching. The Pre-theologate program of the University, in which young men discerning priestly and religious vocations live a spiritual life together in community, is an attractive option for young men preparing to enter Franciscan religious life. It is a valuable complement of the Franciscan Studies Minor.
This minor requires 18 credit hours (6 courses) of Franciscan Studies. Twelve credits are fulfilled by the following required courses: THE 101 Foundations of Catholicism, THE 103 Francis and the Franciscan Tradition, THE/PHL 340 Franciscan Tradition in Philosophy, and one of the following: THE/HST 300 Franciscan in History, THE/HST 323 Medieval World, THE 301 Francis--Life and Charism, THE/HST 309 History and Spirituality of the Third Order. Six additional credits will be fulfilled from the above courses and following electives: THE 303 St. Francis and St. Clare and Their Spirituality, THE 315 Questions on the Theology of F1. John Duns Scotus, THe 317 Theology and Spirituality of St. Bonaventure, THE/HST 307 Franciscan in the New World, THE 311 Sources for the Life of St. Francis, THE 312 Readings in the Franciscan Mystics, THE/PHL 313 Selected Topics in Franciscan Philosophy, and THE/HST 316 Selected Topics in Franciscan History.
Theology Minor: THE 101, 115, 211, 212, 213 or 214, and 3 credit hours in upper-level 200 or above) theology courses.
