Each year the Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought and Culture takes a small group of inter-disciplinary USD Faculty to a place connected in a broad sense with the Catholic intellectual and/or cultural and social traditions. The program is set around a specific theme each year which brings past, present and future discourse into relation. The theme can embrace a wide variety of foci, such as historical, ethical, social, theological, cultural and aesthetic.
The seminars are facilitated by experts in the field and involve a pre-seminar program of preparatory academic readings. The actual program consists of academic lectures, seminars and discussions with related cultural and immersion visits to sites, people and organizations. Each Faculty member selected to participate produces an academic paper upon return which is presented on campus in a series of follow-up presentations and additional collegial gatherings and discussions take place to continue the dialogue and strong links formed by the group during their trip. The program has a significant impact upon Faculty’s understanding of USD and its Catholic background and character, upon their teaching and research, and upon collegial relations.
Past Seminars
Faculty Travel Seminar 2012 - Ireland
Faculty Travel Seminar 2011 - Rome, Italy
Faculty Travel Seminar 2010 - Dominican Republic
Faculty Travel Seminar 2009 - Rome, Italy
" The experience of sharing the [Faculty Travel Immersion Seminar] with my USD colleagues was a highlight. This trip created fellowship amongst a very diverse group of individuals and I will always be grateful for that.."
Rome, Italy - 2011
Saint Peter's Square, or Piazza San Pietro, is located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.
