The certificate in Catholic Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of Catholicism from the beginnings of Christianity in the ancient world to the presence of Catholicism as the largest Christian community in the world today. Catholic Studies is intended to provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of Catholicism and its history, artistic and literary culture, philosophical and theological thought, and role in contemporary society.

• Program Requirements

The certificate in Peace Studies cultivates an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of peace, conflict, (re)conciliation, the nature of substantive justice, and the practice of nonviolent resistance. Peace Studies is concerned with both the analysis and creative transformation of conflict and injustice. Within the field, peace is defined as not only the absence of war but also by positive conditions such as socialjustice, gender and racial equality, and ecological health. As an interdisciplinary field, Peace Studies purposefully and critically draws upon insights from multiple disciplines including Political Science, Religious Studies, History, Anthropology, Indigenous Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, English, Philosophy, and International Studies.

• Program Requirements

The St. Thomas More College (STM) philosophy program emphasizes fundamental questions about the human condition and explores the relations between humans, nature, the cosmos and the divine.  With its special emphasis on continental philosophy, philosophy of religion, ethics, and ancient/medieval philosophy, STM philosophy programs promote a dialogue between reason and faith, as well as contributes to interdisciplinary programs including Social Justice and the Common Good, Catholic Studies, and Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRS).

• Bachelor of Arts Honours (B.A. Honours) - St. Thomas More College
• Bachelor of Arts Four-year (B.A. Four-year) - St. Thomas More College
• Bachelor of Arts Three-year (B.A. Three-year) - St. Thomas More College
• Bachelor of Arts Double Honours - Philosophy - St. Thomas More College - Major 1
• Double Honours - Philosophy - St. Thomas More College - Major 2

 

• In partnership with the Sts. Benedict and Scholastica Formation Program of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon
  
  
• Undergraduate philosophy and liberal arts education designed for those interested in Catholic priestly & religious vocation, or theological studies for lay ministry.
  
  
• Leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Philosophy
  • Could also include the Certificate in Catholic Studies

Students in this program are required to meet with Richard Medernach for academic advising to ensure proper course selection. 

• Academic Requirements Overview

St. Thomas More College coordinates the Religion and Culture programs for the College of Arts & Science at the University of Saskatchewan.

The Religion and Culture programs explore the range of religions and religious experiences within particular cultural, historical, ideological, and current settings in order to promote awareness of how religions shape human experiences, societies and cultures. Students will be encouraged to understand themselves better as global citizens by exploring the lived experiences of religions and cultures that are relevant to their work and life in the social realm and collective cultural heritage. Students will develop their intellectual and practical skills including writing, critical and creative thinking, inquiry and analysis.  
 
Graduates of Religion and Culture will be equipped for further study in Religion and Culture or Religious Studies at major institutions in Canada, and/or for careers in a wide variety of professions such as law, social work, civil service, NGO service, and counseling.
 
Courses included in the Religion and Culture program are divided into three categories as described below:

A: Asian Religions in Cross-Cultural Perspectives:
Courses either focus on specific religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism or examine religions and cultures of geographical areas such as South, East, and Southeast Asia. Courses can also be cross-cultural, comparative, and/or thematic investigations of topics such as gender, post-colonialism, globalization, or historical, philosophical, sociological, anthropological, and literary-critical methodologies in the investigation of religions and cultures.

B: Western Religions in Cross-Cultural Perspectives:
Courses can focus on the religious traditions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam and the encounter between religious thought and modernity in the west. Courses can also be cross-cultural, comparative, and/or thematic investigations of topics such as gender, post-colonialism, globalization, or historical, philosophical, sociological, anthropological, and literary-critical methodologies in the investigation of religions and cultures.

C. Interdisciplinary Perspectives in the Study of Religions and Cultures:
Courses offered from programs other than Religion and Culture by Departments with stated content investigating the academic study of religions and cultures.

Some courses in Religious Studies are taught by faculty in the corresponding department of St. Thomas More College. These courses or sections are designated as STM section in the online Course Offerings.

Select courses at STU (St. Andrew’s College, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad and the Lutheran Theological Seminary) may be taken for transfer credit. Please consult the department for eligible courses at these affiliated institutions.

Major Average

The major average in Religion and Culture programs includes the grades earned in:

• All RLST and all courses listed in the Major Requirement A6.

Residency Requirements in the Major

To receive a degree in Religion and Culture, students must complete at least two-thirds of the following coursework (to the nearest highest multiple of 3 credit units) from the University of Saskatchewan.

• 6 credit units RLST chosen from restricted list in Requirement A1
• Minimum requirements in Major Requirement A6.

See Residency for additional details.

Saskatoon Theological Union (STU)

Select courses at STU (St. Andrew’s College, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad and the Lutheran Theological Seminary) may be taken for transfer credit. Please consult the department for eligible courses at these affiliated institutions

Program Requirements

• Bachelor of Arts Honours (B.A. Honours) - Religion and Culture
• Bachelor of Arts Four-year (B.A. Four-year) - Religion and Culture
• Bachelor of Arts Three-year (B.A. Three-year) - Religion and Culture
• Double Honours - Religion and Culture
• Religion and Culture - Minor

The Certificate in Religious Literacy equips students pursuing degrees in Law, Business, Healthcare, Social Services, Education, and Public Policy with a working knowledge of the beliefs and practices within a variety of religious traditions. Core competencies will include a clear understanding of and appreciation for each religion’s internal diversity—intramural distinctions that arise due to intersectional forces shaping believers' interpretation of their faith and its institutions; e.g., forces of gender, race and class, colonial histories, and neocolonial/global economies.

Current research in civic education and public life indicates that religiously literate professionals play crucial roles in fostering faith-friendly workplaces and social organisations. The Certificate in Religious Literacy offers vital credentials for creating ‘global’ cultures of inclusivity that sustain robust democracies and peaceful coexistence in our globalised context.

 

• Program Requirements

The Certificate in Jewish and Christian Origins provides an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of the origins, development of and cultural impact of two world religions, Judaism and Christianity, from their beginnings in ancient Israel to the parallel developments of rabbinic Judaism and emergent Christianity subsequent to the first Jewish War of 70 C.E. to Late Antiquity, including some coverage of the origins of Islam in relation to Judaism and Christianity.

This certificate may be completed in conjunction with, or apart from any degree program, and is open to students in all colleges. This program is subject to the promotion and residency standards for degree-level certificate programs in the College of Arts & Science.

Students who have taken equivalent courses at other institutions may apply for transfer credit, which if granted will be applied to the certificate. 

Students may take the required courses concurrently with other courses in the program.

 

• Program Requirements

The Ukrainian Langauge Recognition program promotes study of the Ukrainian language. The study of second languages is fundamental to an education in the liberal arts, to citizenship in a multicultural nation, and to understanding an increasingly close-knit world. It is an important element in the study of linguistics. Knowledge of a second language is important in many undergraduate and graduate programs and is an advantage or necessity in a wide range of careers. The ability to read and communicate in a second language also opens doors, otherwise closed, to gratifying personal and cultural experiences.

Requirements

• Ukrainian - Recognition

The Certificate in Ukrainian Studies is intended for current students and educators/individuals who wish to be immersed in the study of Ukrainian culture, language, history, religion, politics, and second language teaching from historical and cross-cultural perspectives.

Students in this program will have the opportunity to engage in the multidisciplinary nature of Ukrainian studies, selecting from courses in Ukrainian language, culture, and history. The Certificate program will allow individuals to acquire a well-rounded proficiency in this field, providing a foundation in the subject area to complement a variety of careers.

This program is also recommended for students interested in Ukrainian bilingual education.

• Program Requirements

THE INTERCORDIA PROGRAM IS NOT OFFERED IN 2022.

Credit Courses: ENG 215.3 – Life Writing or RLST 377.3 – Living Community, Solidarity, and Social Change

Countries: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, or Panama

 

Overview

This 8-week immersive service-learning experience challenges assumptions about poverty, development, and culture by inviting students to live with and learn from communities in Dominican Republic, Ecuador, or Panama.

We invite students to live with host families and work in grassroots community organizations in one of these three countries: students can choose to live with campesino (peasant farmer) communities in the Cordillera Central (central mountain range) of Dominican Republic and work on tree-planting brigades or with coffee nurseries; students can live Indigenous Quechua families in the Ecuadorean Andes and work in community-run daycare centres, medical clinics, or in schools; students can also choose to live with campesino families in Santa Fe, Veraguas, Panamá and work with the town’s impressive cooperative, La Cooperativa La Esperanza de Los Campesinos, now nearly 50 years old.

Using a service-learning model, the Intercordia experience begins months before students actually depart! Students complete ENG 215.3 in the winter term to prepare them academically for the experience, and complete RLST 377.3 while abroad. Rather than learning in a classroom during spring term, however, students are invited to reflect upon concepts they learned in their winter-term class and see how they apply, or don’t apply, to their lived experience.

In addition to academic courses, students also participate in four co-curricular seminars that prepare them practically, philosophically, and emotionally. Upon returning to Canada, students also participate in a 2-day reintegration seminar to help them process their experiences in a supportive environment.

Course Descriptions

ENG 215.3 This course is a study of the forms that Life Writing has taken from the Middle Ages to the present, with attention to such issues as constructions of the self, themes, language, and audience.

RLST 377.3 This course offers students an academic framework for grounded reflection on religious studies concepts covered in the prerequisite course. It will be centred on an eight- or twelve-week placement with the St. Thomas More College Intercordia Program in a cross-cultural context. Students will apply concepts from RLST 277, which explored the nexus amongst religion, community, solidarity and social change.

Program Highlights

Dominican Republic

• Natural phenomena: hiking through rainforests, visiting waterfalls
• Optional trip to Boca Chica
• Traveling to walk-in communities in the mountains via mule

Ecuador

• Natural phenomena: hiking up mountains and dormant volcanos
• Inti Raymi Festival (Festival of the Sun)
• Explore the world-famous Otavalo markets

Panama

• Hike up Cerro Tute, a local mountain
• Natural phenomena: hiking through rainforests, visiting a waterfall, optional tubing down Rio Mulaba
• Optional trip to the Santa Catalina beaches

Prerequisites

3 credit units of 100-level ENG or permission of the instructor

Program Coordinator

Caitlin Ward
cward@stmcollege.caEngaged Learning Office
STM 146D

Cost

• U of S tuition: approx. $1180 (individual registration and payment)
• Program fee: TBD
• Airfare: $900-$1200, depending on country placement
• Other costs (travel and medical insurance, personal expenses, airport transfers, etc.)

THIS FIELD SCHOOL IS NOT OFFERED IN SPRING 2023.

Credit Course (2018): SPAN 251.3 – The Spanish of Latin Americans

Overview

There is no better way to understand the Spanish of Latin Americans than by traveling to Latin America yourself! This St. Thomas More College study abroad offers students the unique opportunity to learn about Latin American Spanish by traveling to communities in and around la Cordillera de Talamanca, the interior mountain range in Panama.

We invite students to live with host families in Santa Fe, Veraguas, Panama, and learn about the unique revolutionary history of Cooperativa la Esperanza de los Campesinos, one of the largest non-capitalist cooperatives in Central America. Students will meet with some of the cooperative’s founders, observe small-scale sustainable sugar, coffee, and rice production, and drink coffee that was grown and roasted within walking distance of the house in which they are staying.

Using an experiential learning model, this 3 credit unit course will help students understand the colonial history and contemporary reality of the Spanish language in Latin America. Rather than working in a classroom in Panama, students take the majority of this course’s instruction in Saskatoon for 3 weeks with Dr. Allison Smith. Students then immerse themselves in the language and culture of interior Panama for 2 weeks, living with families in the town of Santa Fe. 

Program Highlights

• Understand the steps of making coffee from cultivation to cup
• Learn about the roots of cooperativism in Latin America
• Visit an old-style Finca, (El Sendero el mas Bellaco), to understand traditional modes of Panamanian agriculture
• Natural phenomena: hiking through rainforests, visiting a waterfall, optional tubing down Rio Mulaba
• Learn about small-scale organic rice and sugar production
• Optional trip to climb Cerro Tuté, a local mountain landmark
• Free day in Panama City to explore Casco Viejo (the old colonial city) or the Panama Canal, or whatever catches your interest!

Course Description

SPAN 251.3 What is the difference between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the mother tongue of more than 193 million speakers in Latin America? Are the distinctions merely an accent change due to geography or are there other social factors at play? Latin American Spanish provides an overview of the linguistic variation found in Latin American Spanish. Core topics include the concept of language variation, the fundamental dissimilarities between Peninsular and American Spanish (including the use of usted, voseo, seseo and yeísmo), the indigenous and African contributions and social variation within the continent.
Note: Successful Completion of SPAN 114 or a 100 level Linguistics class is recommended, but not required.

Program Coordinator

Caitlin Ward
cward@stmcollege.ca
Engaged Learning Office
STM 146D               

Cost:

• U of S tuition: approx. $615 per 3 credit unit (individual registration and payment)
• Program fee for course: $1250
  • Accommodation: included
  • Meals: included (except for free days in Panama City)
  • On-site transportation: included
• Airfare: approx. $800
• Other costs (travel and medical insurance; personal expenses, etc.,) Varies per person

• Apply for Panama Field School

We are exploring virtual/online options for May – June 2023

Credit Courses: ANTH 233.3 Anthropological Perspectives on Contemporary Ukraine; UKR 114.3 and UKR 117.3 Elementary Ukrainian OR UKR 214.3 and UKR 217.3 Intermediate Ukrainian OR UKR 314.3 and UKR 317.3 Advanced Ukrainian

Overview

Develop an understanding and appreciation of Ukrainian language and culture through this study abroad experience! This five-week full-immersion program accelerates students’ learning of the language while also introducing them to the culture of Western Ukraine.

Students attend Ukrainian language classes on weekdays at Ternopil National Pedagogical University, with regular tutorials to develop students’ comprehension and spoken language skills. Students stay with host families who live within easy traveling distance of the university, both to fully immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture and to accelerate their language skills. Students will also have opportunities to visit the mountains and villages surrounding the city of Ternopil, as well as take in the unique architecture of this historical city.

Program Highlights

• Two-day excursion to Lviv, the cultural capital of Western Ukraine, home to a 6-storey chocolate factory
• Three-day excursion to the Carpathian Mountains
• Visit Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

Course Description

Language instruction is offered at three levels, depending on the student’s proficiency. Beginners take Elementary Ukrainian I & II, in which students develop elementary proficiency in speaking, reading, understanding, and writing Ukrainian, as well as learn about Ukrainian life and culture, politics, geography, and society. Those who have taken Ukrainian 30 in high school, or have already completed Elementary Ukrainian are enrolled in Intermediate Ukrainian, which concentrates on improving language skills and expands students’ knowledge of the basic syntactic, morphological, lexical, and phonetic structure of modern Ukrainian. Students already well-versed in the language are offered Advanced Ukrainian I & II.

All students take a placement test upon acceptance into the program.

To hear directly from students about their experience with SSU, visit the program blog here: https://ssu2015blog.wordpress.com/

Prerequisites

Depends on level of courses chosen.

Cost

• Program Fee: $$2,385. A $500 deposit is required upon acceptance of your spot in the program. The remaining balance will be due April 1.
• Flight: $1300 - $1500
• Medical Insurance: Most students are covered by USSU health plan – please check to confirm this!
• Traveller’s Insurance and Personal Expenses: At the discretion of students

Program Coordinator

ssu@stmcollege.ca
Engaged Learning Office
STM 146

• Apply for SSU