Statistically, college is where faith goes to die. Not only faith, but even truth itself has become the object of intense scrutiny and skepticism in the academy. Is believing in absolute truth naive or even harmful? Is faith nothing more than willful ignorance, quickly remedied by a college education, or are there rational grounds for belief? How do you retain or even grow in your faith in the college environment? What is truth, why does it matter, and are there any truths you would die for?
The Collegium Institute's summer seminar How to Survive (and Thrive) at College: God, Truth, and the University will approach these questions over the course of three days by examining the history and purpose of university education, the nature of faith, and the splendor of truth as articulated by figures like Augustine and Aquinas, Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Siena, Newman and Wojtyla.
While much of the seminar will be grounded in first principles, it will also feature practical contemporary advice from alumni and current students of Ivy League universities and small liberal arts colleges on how to succeed in college.
Join us as we explore through lectures and seminars, tours and pilgrimages what it means to be true to yourself, true to your friends and family, and true to God both in the university and beyond.
Instructors include Prof. Dan Cheely of the University of Pennsylvania, Prof. Terence Sweeney of Villanova University, Prof. Jessica Murdoch of Villanova University, and Prof. Anna Moreland of Villanova University. The seminar will conclude with a public lecture by Prof. Anna Moreland and Prof. Tom Smith of the Catholic University of America on their forthcoming book Majoring in Life: The College Guide to Adulting.
Dates: Monday, June 27 to Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Location: This workshop will take place primarily at the University of Pennsylvania's Newman Center.
Deadline: The final application deadline is Monday, May 30th, 2022.
Price: There is no application fee, but if you are accepted, there will be a $45 fee due upon registration. Scholarships may be available to admitted students in need. The $45 registration fee covers breakfast and lunch for each of the three seminar days.