Minor explores the interconnectivity of philosophy, religion, and literature

 

Last year, the College of Arts and Letters launched a new course of study.  Now a popular program, students find thoughtful enrichment in the Philosophy, Religion, and Literature (PRL) minor.

According to its website, the purpose of the minor is to “build bridges between disciplines and modes of thought which have traditionally been in dialogue with one another and which have been at the heart of teaching at Notre Dame.”  The PRL minor is meant to serve as a connection among these three overlapping but often isolated disciplines.

Henry Weinfield, Professor of the Program of Liberal Studies and Director of the PRL Minor, elaborated on how the different disciplines enter “in dialogue” with each other.  “Philosophy always involves literature, and it itself is literature.  Literature itself is philosophical.  Philosophy, literature, religion are always in dialogue with each other, and the PRL minor is just registering that,” he told the Rover.

The PRL minor is meant to serve as a vehicle for students to make a connection between the three different disciplines in different ways from any other major or minor at Notre Dame. “PRL is already building bridges,” Weinfield explained.  “It is connecting philosophy, religion, and literature with the different departments, breaking down the disciplinary boundaries.”

As detailed by the Philosophy, Religion, and Literature website, “The aim of the minor 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.”

In addition to the minor, the PRL program also supports events involving the different disciplines on campus.  Weinfield articulated: “One of the purposes of the minor is, even for students who are not doing the minor, to serve as a kind of connecting link.”

The program promotes lectures and discussions involving philosophy, religion, and literature, allowing non-minor students with interest in the field to participate in the academic dialogue.

One such event is the annual lecture on religion and literature.  This year’s speaker, Robin Kirkpatrick, professor emeritus of the University of Cambridge, will discuss “The Pace of Praise: Might Theology Walk Together with Literature?” on Monday, September 29 at 4:30 in the Hesburgh Library, room 102.

According to Weinfield, students from all of the colleges are good candidates for the PRL minor.  “We are especially interested in attracting people in other colleges who are interested in studying these topics who otherwise would not be able to study them.  We are also interested in students in the College of Arts and Letters who want to do a concerted study of these topics.”

The PRL minor requires students to take 15 credits in the disciplines of philosophy, religion, and literature.  Beginning with a three-credit gateway seminar in either philosophy and literature or religion and literature, students then take three more three-credit electives that are to be approved by the minor advisor.

Finally, students complete a three-credit capstone project involving one of the disciplines of the minor.  They work directly with a professor in that discipline, but also consult professors of the other disciplines.

Vittorio Montemaggi, Assistant Professor of Religion and Literature and instructor of a gateway course this semester, described the purpose and value of the capstone project to the Rover: “The purpose of this is to give you as much experience in interdisciplinary dialogue as possible.  The intellectual benefits of this transcend the specific requirements of the minor.  Experience in interdisciplinary dialogue is a skill that—based as it is on mutual understanding and respect—can vitally enrich any kind of study, as well as many professions beyond the academy.”

Students who are interested in learning more about the PRL minor or the events it promotes can visit the program’s website at prlminor.nd.edu, or contact Henry Weinfield at hweinfie@nd.edu.

 

Laura Machado is a sophomore studying psychology and English.  She is disappointed that she cannot fit the PRL minor into her schedule, but plans to attend the events they have on campus.  Contact her at lmachado@nd.edu.