The Seminar on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CIT) is designed to assist faculty members in examining the connections between the CIT and their teaching, scholarship and service. A method of engaging the most significant questions of life using wisdom accumulated over centuries, the CIT is a habit as much as a repository of knowledge; it is a way of seeing, thinking and knowing that is open, continually evolving to engage current developments in thought and relevant discoveries in science, language, art and culture. The CIT searches for and celebrates the beautiful, good and true wherever they can be found.
Participating faculty members will be invited to consider the Catholic Intellectual Tradition as a resource and reference point for their work and supported in exploring the interconnections of faith, reason and culture in contemporary society. The seminar will deepen participants’ knowledge of and engagement with USD’s mission, values, vision and Catholic identity as well as the history and distinctive purpose of Catholic higher education more broadly. In addition, the seminar provides an environment to contemplate the sources and implications of an academic vocation as well as to consider how such a calling can flourish at a Catholic university.
Faculty from all disciplines and academic units – as well as from all faith backgrounds (including those who do not identify with a faith tradition) – are warmly welcome to participate. The quality of the experience will be greatly enhanced by the diversity the participants bring to it.
The seminar presents a unique opportunity to share in deep reflection and conversation and thereby experience a robust sense of community. Faculty members who complete the seminar will receive a $1,000 stipend as well as a formal letter of acknowledgement for inclusion in advancement, rank and tenure files.
Facilitated by Esteban del Rio, Ph.D. (Director, Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought and Culture / Professor, Communication Department) and Michael Lovette-Colyer, Ph.D. (Vice President, Mission Integration), the seminar consists of eight monthly meetings, each 90 minutes in length. The group gathers on Friday’s from 12:30 – 2 p.m., with lunch provided. The dates of the 2026-27 program are:
- September 11
- October 9
- November 13
- December 11
- February 5
- March 5
- April 2
- May 7
Applications are due by April 17th. Notifications will be made no later than April 28th.