Faith & Reason is an interdisciplinary seminar that investigates the relationship and relevance of Christian thought to life in the modern world and university. Past modules have explored a variety of topics, from mental health to beauty, through an intentionally interdisciplinary means, bringing together voices from theology, philosophy, poetry, fiction and the arts. With this approach we probe the theological imagination, to try to understand the relationship between faith and reason, and to seek a better understanding of the world and the transcendent.
This semester we'll be delving into the deep, rich history and traditions of Black Catholicism, while also exploring the relation between race and Christian theology more broadly. We will be joined by several distinguished scholars to facilitate these discussions, including Prof. Cecilia Moore (University of Dayton; Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana), Prof. Vincent Lloyd (Villanova University), and more. We will engage with these topics, once a week over the course of 6 weeks, and do so by exploring it from the vantage of theology, philosophy, the arts, history and religious studies.
Dates: Fridays, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20
Time: 3:00pm–4:00pm
RSVP: Please RSVP by clicking the button below to receive the Zoom details.
This seminar series is open to college students and graduate students. Preference will be given to students from the University of Pennsylvania and the wider Philadelphia area.
Readings for each session can be found here (click the session title):
Oct. 16 | The Church Against Racism: Magisterial teaching from the 16th Century to Today (led by Terence Sweeney, Theologian-in-Residence, Collegium)
Oct. 23 | The Religious Imagination: Exploring the African American Artistic Vision (led by Jessica Sweeney, Ars Vivendi Arts Initiative Director, Collegium)
Oct. 30 | Race, Theology, & Black Dignity (led by Vincent Lloyd, Professor of Theology, Villanova University)
Nov. 6 | The Church and Atlantic Slavery (led by Maria Cecilia Ulrickson, Professor of American Church History, Catholic University of America)
Nov. 13 | Finding a Home: Stories of Conversion and Faith (led by Cecilia Moore, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton)
Nov. 20 | The Future of Black Catholicism (led by James Andrews, director of the Philadelphia archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics)