Religion and the Arts
True art has a close affinity with the world of faith, so that, even in situations where culture and the Church are far apart, art remains a kind of bridge to religious experience. Saint John Paul II
of Santa Fe Institute.
The Religion and the Arts concentration offers students the opportunity to apply the dynamic cross sections of philosophy and theology to the very nature and role of art in society and the Church. Students discover the anthropological foundations for human creativity, and realize how art interprets the human experience - what ails our contemporary society, what gives it life and joy, and how the fine arts can touch the Divine. This area of concentration is intended for students in the MA Theology or Concurrent MA Option.
The DSPT difference in Religion and the Arts
- the Dominican tradition of using the fine arts as a tool for preaching and evangelization
- DSPT Faculty specializing in Christian iconography and contemporary cinema, aesthetics, Church history and anthropology
- the Santa Fe Institute - a specialized library with over 12,000 volumes dedicated to religion and the arts
- engagement with established professional of the DSPT College of Fellows who work in film, poetry, fiction, and journalism
- a dynamic and supportive advanced research environment through GTU, CARE (Center for the Arts) and UC Berkeley Art and Art History
Core Courses and Faculty
Aesthetics & Theology (STRA-2080), Bryan Kromholtz, OP
Christian Iconography (RAHS-1604), Michael Morris, OP
Art, Ritual, and Culture (RAHS-1604), Michael Morris, OP co-teaching with Augustine Thompson, OP
Religion and the Cinema (RAST-2300), Michael Morris, OP
Death/Judgment/Heaven/Hell (RAST-2332), Michael Morris, OP
Theological Crises and the Development of American Film (RAHS-4900), Michael Morris, OP
Philosophical Aesthetics I (PHRA-4321), Anselm Ramelow, OP
Philosophical Aesthetics II (PHRA-4322), Anselm Ramelow, OP
Poetry & Creative Intuition (PHRA-4310), Chris Renz, OP
Foundations of Catholic Liturgy: The Ongoing Work of Jesus Christ (LSRA-1500), Chris Renz, OP
Liturgical Piety: Anthropological Foundations of Catholic Liturgy (coming Spring 2017), Chris Renz, OP
Refer to the GTU Course Schedule and UC Berkeley Course Catalog for course descriptions and date, time and location information.
Related Links
- Sacred Arts - MA Theology
- Aesthetics - Concurrent MA Option
- Santa Fe Institute - Library and art resources
- Blackfriars Gallery
- UC Berkeley Course Catalog
- GTU Course Catalog
Highlights
- Dr. Margarita Vega received a grant from the John Templeton Foundation
- Via Pulchritudinis - an art exhibition
- How Does Architecture Imitate Nature?
- Fall 2016 Courses
Always consult the Student Handbook for program details.
DSPT Faculty
Fr. Bryan Kromholtz, OP, Theological aesthetics
Fr. Michael Morris, OP, Religion and the Arts
Fr. Anselm Ramelow, OP, Philosophical aesthetics
Fr. Chris Renz, OP, Creative Intuition; Liturgy
Fr. Augustine Thompson, OP, History
GTU FACULTY
Kathryn Barush, Art History and Religion
Harry Cronin, CSC, Theological Aesthetics, Theater
Ron Nakason Buddhist, Art and Culture
Rossitza Schroeder, Art History, Medieval Studies
Devin Zuber, American Studies, Literature
God, Father of mercy,
who called your servant Dominic de Guzman
to set out in faith
as an itinerant pilgrim and a preacher of grace,
as we prepare to celebrate the Jubilee of the Order
we ask you to pour again into us
the Spirit of the Risen Christ,
that we might faithfully and joyfully proclaim
the Gospel of peace,
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Official Prayer for the 800th Jubilee