Philosophy, Religion, and Literature (Minor)
Director:
Susannah Monta
The Philosophy, Religion, and Literature minor brings together and amalgamates two formerly existing minors, Philosophy and Literature and Religion and Literature. The new minor is designed for students who want to pursue an interdisciplinary course of studies that focuses on the many intersections among philosophy, religion, and literature. The minor seeks to build bridges between disciplines and modes of thought which have traditionally been in dialogue with one another and which historically have been at the heart of teaching at Notre Dame. The aim is to create a context in which philosophical, religious, and literary approaches to thought and its expression may be studied systematically and in conjunction with each other. This integrative approach to liberal education’s foundational subjects resonates deeply with the intellectual values and mission of Notre Dame.
The Philosophy, Religion, and Literature minor will require students to complete 15 credit hours of approved course work. These 15 credit hours will normally comprise at least one three-credit Gateway seminar, three three-credit electives, and a three-credit capstone project.
Gateway Seminar
Students are required to take a three-credit Gateway seminar, either in philosophy and literature or in religion and literature. The minor is thus organized around two parallel but intersecting tracks. The purpose of the Gateway seminars, whatever their specific topics may be, is to provide a rigorous introduction to the study of philosophy and literature or religion and literature.
Electives
In addition to the Gateway seminar, students are required to take three other courses that have been approved for the minor. The minor’s director will help students identify courses relevant to the minor and to their own individual interests and needs.
Integrating the Tracks
Students working primarily in one track are required to take one course in the other. Thus, a student focusing on religion and literature is required to take one course in philosophy and literature. That course may be either the Gateway seminar or another course. If students choose to fulfill this requirement by taking Gateway seminars in both tracks, both seminars will count toward the 15 credit hours needed for the minor.
The Capstone Project
For the capstone project, each student, working directly with a professor associated with the minor, will write a research essay of approximately 20 pages on a topic that embraces philosophy and literature or religion and literature, or both. Students are encouraged to consult with a professor who is working in a different subject area from the one on which the advisor has expertise. Thus, if a student’s advisor is in Theology, that student will be encouraged to consult with a literature professor who has some interest in the student’s topic. We recognize that some seniors in the College of Arts and Letters are writing senior theses for their majors. In many cases it is unrealistic to expect such students to write an additional capstone essay. Students in the Philosophy, Religion, and Literature minor who are already writing a senior thesis are allowed to complete the minor by taking a fifth elective course instead of the capstone project, provided that the senior thesis topic in some way resonates with the overall themes of the minor.
Events and Activities
The Notre Dame community already hosts a number of lectures, forums, and one-day seminars relevant to the minor. In addition, the minor will sponsor events and activities such as trips to the opera and theater. Students in the minor are required to attend at least three such events.