MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy is to form young people
intellectually and spiritually by providing a university-level education in the liberal arts in
the light of the teaching of the Catholic Church and so renew modern culture in Christ.
The Academy is to provide this education by developing an accredited four-year liberal
arts program, while offering a one-year foundational program, a two-year core
curriculum program, and three-year programs in the core disciplines of the liberal arts.
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Welcome to the Academic Calendar of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy for Studies in the
Liberal Arts. The following pages offer an outline of the courses we have developed since our
inauguration in the year 2000, along with our academic policies and procedures. After beginning
with a one-year foundational program, we now offer also two- and three-year programs, with a
broad range of courses in theology, philosophy, history, literature, mathematics and natural
science. Our integrated curriculum provides a unique intellectual and spiritual formation fully in
line with the directives of the Church, especially as outlined in Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
Our mission, to provide students with a solid foundation in the intellectual tradition of
our civilization and culture, especially as safeguarded and expounded by the Church, has borne
much fruit so far. Our course offerings follow in the great tradition of the liberal arts, with a
balance between primary and secondary sources, as well as lectures, seminars and group
discussions. The Church has emphasized the fundamental and irreplaceable importance of studies
in forming responsible and mature Catholics who can examine the deeper questions of life, and
who can take upon themselves the duties required of them in whatever field they choose. Such
studies are called liberal not as opposed to ‘conservative’, but as derived from the Latin verb
liberare, ‘to free’ or ‘to set something free’. This education, besides perfecting its possessor, also
makes him free—free from the shackles of ignorance and opinion, and free to form a true
estimate of the world around him. Such knowledge, furthermore, is free also in the sense that it is
not ordered to anything outside of itself, but is valuable for its own sake. That is, it is not sought
for any other extrinsic end or economic utility. In no way can the value of such knowledge be
reduced to practical, or worse yet, economic utility. It is intrinsically worthwhile, like health,
beauty or life itself. Society may indirectly benefit from having citizens with well-formed minds,
and the student will indeed be able to approach any subject with an ease and facility. As G.K.
Chesterton once pointed out, the ultimate goal of education is to produce ‘good critics’, that is,
those who are able to see and judge rightly as things truly are.
The world today stands in great need of intellectually well-formed individuals who can
take their place in the world, confident, as Pope John Paul II has written, of the seamless harmony
that exists between the truths of faith and the truths of reason. As the Second Vatican Council
declared, “the world stands in great peril unless wiser men are forthcoming”. It is perhaps in this
context that we should read the dramatic declaration of our late Holy Father, John Paul II, that it
is “(his) deep conviction that a Catholic University is without any doubt one of the best
instruments that the Church offers to our age which is searching for certainty and wisdom”(Ex
Corde Ecclesiae, par. 10). We may add to these the words of our present pontiff, Benedict XVI,
who has warned of “a dictatorship of relativism that recognizes nothing as absolute and
which only leaves the ‘I’ and its whims as the ultimate measure.” Against this, “the Church
offers Christ as the true measure”. This wisdom is “profoundly rooted in friendship with Christ.”
And on the basis of this friendship we have “the measure to discern between what is true and
what is false, between deceit and truth.”
Saint Thomas Aquinas, one of the primary patrons of our institution, shows us in his own
person a culmination of this harmony between faith and reason, between sanctity and knowledge.
His teachings, and, what is more, his spirit, should inspire our own studies. May this great Doctor
of the Church, with the prayers of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, guide and lead you through this
year you will spend being introduced not only to the greatest minds of history, but to the fullness
of truth that Christ offers, welling up to eternal life.
Veritas vos liberabit.
In the peace of Christ,
John Paul Meenan, M.Sc., M.A.
Executive Director
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Mission Statement
2. Letter from the Executive Director
3. About the Academy
4. Transfer of Credits and Degree Opportunities
5. Student Life
a) Residences
b) Spiritual Life
c) Activities
6. Academic Services
7. Philosophy of the Program
8. Course Offerings
a) History
b) Languages, Arts and Social Sciences
c) Literature
d) Mathematics and Natural Science
e) Philosophy
f) Theology
9. Certificate Requirements
10. Concentration Requirements
11. Academic Regulations
a) Numerical Classification of Courses
b) Credit Hours
c) Classroom Expectations
d) Authority of Instructors
e) Academic Ethics
f) Course Load
g) Qualifying for Courses and Concentrations
h) Auditing
i) Adding Courses
j) Withdrawing from Courses
k) Repeating Courses
l) Transfer of Courses
m) Changing Graduation Requirements
n) Student Classification
o) Grading Policy
p) Academic Honours
q) Academic Warning, Probation and Dismissal
r) Examinations
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s) Transcripts
12. Admission Policies
a) Academic Requirements
b) Application Procedure
c) Transfer Students
13. Financial Policies
a) Tuition and Fees
b) Family Discount Plan
c) Outstanding Accounts
d) Refund Policy
e) Deposits
14. Financial Aid
Appendix A: Board of Directors and Advisors
Appendix B: Administration
Appendix C: Faculty
Appendix D: Calendar for 2005-2006
Appendix E: Class Schedule for Fall 2005
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3. ABOUT THE ACADEMY
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy offers one-, two-, and three-year programs in the classical liberal arts
at a college level, with a special emphasis on the Tradition of the Catholic Church. Our programs feature
courses in Philosophy, Theology, Literature, History, Latin, Greek, Mathematics, Economics, Music, the
Arts, and Natural Science. These studies help to deepen the student’s appreciation of the richness of his or
her Catholic faith, and offer the intellectual tools needed to be an effective apostle in the third millennium.
In 2005-2006 there are approximately 50 students enrolled in full-time studies at the Academy.
While many students have already received the one-year and two-year certificates, OLSWA awarded the
three-year certificate for the first time in April, 2005. There were four students in the graduating class. All
four have gone on for further studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville. They have been accepted to
complete a B.A. in Humanities and Catholic Culture there in just one year.
Location
Overlooking Kaminiskeg Lake in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada, the Academy is situated amidst the natural
beauty of the Madawaska Valley. A short drive from Algonquin Provincial Park, students are well placed
to enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, skating and skiing. Both
Ottawa and Toronto are accessible within a few hours.
History
A Catholic liberal arts college here in Canada has been an aspiration and an ideal in the minds of many in
the Madawaska valley. The dream seemed impossible, but, as we all know, that word does not apply to
God. After all, what do you need to teach the truth? A few good books, a few good men and women
willing to teach and be taught, and perhaps a building (at least, when the weather gets cold or wet!).
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy started operation in prototype in the village of Combermere
in the fall of 1999 as a small study centre with a few dedicated teachers and a group of six eager young
students. The teaching and tuition were free; the small ‘proto-college’ was named, appropriately enough,
Mater Ecclesiae. Students and teachers would meet in living rooms, hay lofts, basements, wherever they
could find room, and together discuss the truths of our faith, history and civilization. There were numerous
hikes, pilgrimages, outings and social events to provide recreation and a break from the studies.
It was during that year that the diocese, which supported the project of a Catholic college, offered
the use of the former Saint Joseph’s convent, located in Barry’s Bay just north of Combermere. That fall, in
the Jubilee year of 2000, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy had its official inaugural year, with nine
students and a handful of teachers. We gathered what furniture we could, housing the students in the upper
level of the convent and in a rented house. The original curriculum of basic courses in introductory
theology, philosophy, history, logic and Latin, still provides the basis for our now much-expanded course
of studies.
Each year since then we have grown, bit by bit, hiring more teachers and staff, and renting more
housing, to accommodate our growing student body. After two years of operation, we began a second year
of studies, and, in 2004, a third. Our faculty has grown to a respectable group of teachers from a variety of
disciplines, and our student body hails from all over Canada and the United States.
4. TRANSFER OF CREDITS AND DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy is committed to the long and arduous pursuit of fully-accredited
degree-granting status. Until this is attained, OLSWA will work closely with students for whom a degree is
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useful or who wish to pursue a field in which OLSWA does not specialize to facilitate their transfer to the
school which is most appropriate for them. This includes making classes available explicitly designed to
satisfy the requirements of other schools.
OLSWA is a member of the Christus Magister Foundation, and OLSWA credits from all three years are
readily accepted at the two largest member schools of this foundation, Franciscan University of
Steubenville and Ave Maria College. Official articulation agreements have been worked out with each of
these schools that allow the first year of courses at OLSWA to satisfy core curriculum requirements at each
of these schools. These agreements are being revised in light of the newly expanded program at OLSWA,
which has been designed to allow students the option of satisfying all of the core requirements, and many
of the major requirements in select majors, at either school.
OLSWA is pursuing similar agreements with schools in which a significant number of our students express
interest. Students who wish to transfer to a school with which no articulation agreement has been reached
will have their cases examined on an individual basis, which is the standard practice for transfer students.
Many of our students have successfully transferred courses to a variety of schools.
For more information, please contact the Academic Dean at academy@seatofwisdom.org .
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5. STUDENT LIFE
A complete guide to the policies and procedures pertaining to student life is available in the Student
Guidelines. What follows is an overview of some of the key features of OLSWA’s campus life.
Residences
Students at the Academy live in small men’s and women’s households. The households are designed to
foster genuine Christian friendship and growth, and the furthering of a sacramental prayer life. Residence
life is more than merely living in a “dorm”. It is a place where real human development is expected to take
place, a place to study, and a place to relax. The residences are, in effect, the students’ homes and all
residents participate in household upkeep through assigned chores each week. Residence assistants are
designated to facilitate the smooth operation of the residences and to ensure that student life policies are
respected.
Spiritual Life
There are two Catholic churches in Barry’s Bay, offering daily Mass, weekly Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament, and confessions at different times. During term time, the Academy hosts a special Mass every
Monday at St. Hedwig’s Church, which is located across the street from our main building. Our chaplain
helps us prepare for this Mass by hearing confessions. We keep a calendar with important feast days and
saints’ days prominently displayed, and the liturgical year is kept in the forefront of all we do. Prayers
before classes, meals, and other activities keep Christ the central focus of life at the Academy. Our chaplain
and several local priests are available for spiritual direction throughout the year. Madonna House, about a
20 minute drive away from the Academy, is a spiritual haven for prayer and a centre for renewing all things
in Christ.
Activities
OLSWA students have a plethora of options as to how to spend their time when they are not engrossed in
their studies. The tradition of the Villa Day—a day off every other Wednesday on which to relax, unwind,
and be refreshed—promotes the idea that taking time out for recreation is a healthy and desirable practice.
Sometimes the Villa Day will take the form of a religious pilgrimage, or a cultural visit to an urban centre.
Closer to home, the small-town/rural setting of Barry’s Bay provides an ideal environment for outdoor
activities, and the local arena affords opportunities for hockey and ice-skating. For drama aficionados, there
is the yearly play in which they may choose to perform or else assist behind the scenes. A high number of
musically gifted students always seem to find their way to the Academy; they often have occasion to share
their talents at St. Hedwig’s Church or in informal jam sessions amongst themselves. As well, students are
always encouraged to participate in some form of community service, whether it be singing Christmas
carols at the nearby seniors’ residence, or giving catechetical instruction at the local primary school.
6. ACADEMIC SERVICES
OLSWA strives to meet the academic needs of students by providing physical and human resources that
both enhance their in-class learning and encourage continuous learning outside the classroom. The
Academy boasts a library collection of about 30,000 books, with special collections including the works of
St. Thomas Aquinas, G. K Chesterton, Hilaire Belloc, and Christopher Dawson. The computer room
comprises PCs with Internet access and up-to-date word-processing software. Through the monthly
Speaker Series, the Academy exposes students to ideas and insights from renowned experts in a variety of
fields.
An academic advisor is assigned to each student. The advisor addresses any concerns the student may have,
and gives suggestions for improvement in such areas as time management and study habits where
necessary. The advisor also reports any significant problems to the Academic Dean so that appropriate
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action may be taken. If a student exhibits weakness in the area of writing, he or she may be directed to a
writing tutor for additional help.
7. PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAM
OLSWA has developed an outstanding educational program through a thorough study and enthusiastic
reception of the Catholic educational tradition and teaching concerning the liberal arts. Theology,
traditionally referred to as the “Queen of the Sciences,” and Philosophy, traditionally viewed as the
“Handmaid of Theology,” are at the heart of the program, as they are the heart of higher education in the
Catholic tradition. At the same time, other disciplines are not neglected: literature, history, fine arts,
languages, mathematics, and the natural sciences are all allotted their due space. The courses are divided
into five departments: Theology; Philosophy; Literature; Languages, Arts and Social Sciences; and
Mathematics and Natural Science. Additional courses, primarily those suited to second and third year
students, are being added to those listed below as we further develop our three-year program.
Every educated person ought to have a certain breadth of knowledge concerning the most important
accomplishments and ideas of man, and the Academy seeks to ensure that each of her students obtains this
knowledge. At the same time, students are individuals, having specific talents, goals, and dreams. To
accommodate this diversity, several academic programs are available, providing the student with ample
opportunity to pursue a rich variety of advanced courses in the fields at the heart of a liberal arts education,
as well as a variety of courses in other fields. The student may choose among these according to what best
meets his interests and needs.
8. COURSE OFFERINGS
a) History
HIS 101: History of Western Civilization. This year-long course traces Western history from the time of
Christ to the present. A survey of the six important ages of this era introduces students to key people,
events, and themes of the Apostolic Age; the Age of the Fathers; the Making of Europe; the Medieval Age;
the Age of Renaissance, Reformation, and Baroque Culture; and the Modern Age. (Chabot and Meenan, 6
Credits. Full Year)
HIS 132: Ancient History. This course will introduce students to the history of Greece and Rome through
a study of important primary and secondary sources. Knowledge of classical history is crucial for
understanding the history of the West, for along with Christianity and the native traditions of the European
peoples, Greece and Rome are the foundations of our civilization. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 20052006)
HIS 140: Introduction to American Civilization. “Reflect on America as a single entity, by reason of all
that is common to the peoples of the continent, including their shared Christian identity and their genuine
attempt to strengthen the bonds of solidarity and communion between the different forms of the continent’s
rich cultural heritage” (John Paul II, Ecclesia in America). There has been much interaction between the
U.S. and Canada over the world’s longest undefended border. To understand the development of one, one
should study the other. Likewise, the U.S. and Mexico share much history in common. This course will
trace the colonial and national histories of all three nations, and so provide a background for understanding
a future in which the people of these three nations seem likely to be drawn ever more closely together.
Emphasis will be placed upon events in history that are shared and political developments that are distinct
among these countries, allowing students to appreciate what is common and what is unique. (Staff, 3
Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
HIS 141: Survey of American Civilization. This course will introduce students to the rich history of the
North American continent through a survey of the chronological development of Mexico, the United States,
and Canada as written about in important primary and secondary source material. The class will also
address the question of what culture is, and what role a common culture should play in a pluralist
society.(Staff, 6 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
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HIS 220: Medieval History. A cultural study of the fascinating medieval era from the fall of Rome to the
Hundred Years' War through exposure to important primary and secondary texts on medieval history and
life. This course is taught from the perspective of Catholic historian Christopher Dawson that the Medieval
Age was not one of darkness, but one of creativity that laid the foundations for the flowering of a Christian
culture in Europe in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
HIS 230: Renaissance and Reformation. As tensions within Western culture mounted, religious division
exploded across Europe. Nevertheless, new challenges to the Church encouraged the growth of new forms
of religious expression that begin to purify medieval Catholicism of some of its weaknesses. This course
covers the rise of humanism, the breakdown of medieval unity, the age of exploration and missionary
activity, Luther, Calvin, Henry VIII, and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered
2005-2006)
HIS 236: French Revolution and Nineteeth-Century Europe. This course is a study of one of the most
important political and social events in modern history. Covering the leading ideas of eighteenth-century
enlightenment culture will lay the foundation for a detailed discussion of the Revolution and the subsequent
rise of Napoleon. A special emphasis is given to the impact of these events on Christianity, as well as to
various critiques of the Revolution. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
b) Languages, Arts and Social Sciences
LAS 090: Chorus. “To sing is to pray twice,” St. Augustine observed. The desire to worship and praise
God fittingly has inspired some of the most beautiful music in history, including the sublime psalmody and
hymnody of Gregorian chant. This course introduces students to chant notation and simple pieces of music
drawn from the riches of the Church’s musical tradition. This course may be taken pass/fail to satisfy the
Academy's music requirement, or in conjunction with Liturgy for the Laity for academic credit. (Henry, 1
Credit. Full Year)
LAS 091: Introduction to Fine Arts. This course presents students with an overview of the development
of the Fine Arts in Western Culture, starting with primitive art, and moving through Greco-Roman Art,
Medieval Art, the Renaissance and Baroque, and the Modern period. Students will deepen their
appreciation for the Fine Arts by copying some of the great masterpieces in drawing format, with guidance
from the instructor. Two tours of art collections will also be part of the program. (Milan, 1 Credit. Full
Year)
LAS 101: Ecclesiastical Music. This course provides an overview of some of the great pieces of liturgical
music, from Palestrina and Byrd, to Bach, Mozart, and modern composers. Proper appreciation of what is
good, beautiful, and fitting in different liturgical settings will be emphasized. Co-requisite: LAS 090:
Chorus. (Tammearu, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LAS/LIT 105: Drama Practicum. This course requires extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical
production. Students must complete at least 45 hours of work on such aspects of the production as stage
management, costume direction, and acting. Competence in the selected area must be demonstrated.
(Marlin, 1 Credit. Fall)
LAS/LIT 106: Introduction to Drama. This course involves extensive hands-on work on a major
theatrical production, as above, as well as readings and discussions of theoretical approaches to drama and
workshops on dramatic technique. (Marlin, 2 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006.)
LAS 111: Catholicism and the Arts. “The fine arts are rightly classed among the noblest activities of
man’s genius... holy Mother Church has always been the patron of the fine arts and has ever sought their
noble ministry... The Church has, with good reason, always claimed the right to pass judgment on the arts,
deciding which of the works are in accordance with its traditions of faith, holiness, and law” (Second
Vatican Council). This course provides a historical survey of the fine arts, with the intent of familiarizing
students with the Church’s standards of art, especially as manifest in the finest historical art work. Thus,
students will be able to rightly appreciate and judge the merits of the fruits of some of “the noblest
activities of man’s genius.” (O’Brien, 2 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
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LAS 121: Latin I. Students are introduced to the basic grammatical principles of Latin and acquire a basic
vocabulary. The fruits of one’s labours are quickly seen as students begin to translate passages from the
New Testament. (Zakrzewski, 4 Credits. Full Year)
LAS/THE 125: Introduction to New Testament Greek I. “Latin-speaking men, whom we have here
undertaken to instruct, need two other languages for a knowledge of the Divine Scriptures, Hebrew and
Greek, so that they may turn back to earlier exemplars if the infinite variety of Latin translations gives rise
to any doubts,” says St. Augustine. By drawing upon the grammatical knowledge already acquired in the
Academy’s Latin course and concentrating upon the vocabulary that is most frequent in the New
Testament, students will, after a brief introduction to Koine Greek grammar, begin reading the New
Testament with the help of lexical aids. With practice, the students will begin to appreciate the nuances
present in the original text of the New Testament that are not always evident in translation. This course
will enable students to read through the New Testament in the original language while consulting Kubo’s A
Reader’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. The Gospel of Luke will be read in this course.
Pre-requisite: LAS 221: Latin II or permission of the instructor. (Nicholson, 4 Credits. Fall)
LAS 163/THE 163: Economics and the Social Teaching of the Church. The production and
consumption of material goods are the identifying characteristics of a society that defines itself as
‘industrial.’ While such production and consumption should not be the sole activities of man, they are an
important component of his activity, and one worthy of special consideration while dwelling in an
‘industrial society.’ The Church provides guidance for man in this area through her social teaching, but to
intelligently apply this teaching to one’s self, one must also understand the economic principles that guide
society. This course will provide an introduction to the basic concepts of economics and a brief history of
economics so that the students may intelligently read the Church’s social documents. After surveying the
social documents, historical attempts of Catholics to apply the Church’s social teaching to economic life
will be examined. (Finn and Nicholson, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LAS 221: Latin II. Students rapidly review the grammatical principles taught in Latin I, and then go on to
complete the grammatical study of Latin. More emphasis is placed on reading, which focuses upon the
New Testament, but includes selections from a variety of other sources. Intensive study will be made of the
final sixteen chapters of John F. Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. Pre-requisite: LAS 121: Latin I
or permission of the instructor. (Zakrzewski, 4 Credits. Full Year)
LAS/THE 225: Intermediate New Testament Greek. “The original [Scriptural] text, having been written
by the inspired author himself, has more authority and greater weight than even the very best translation,
whether ancient or modern” (Pius XII). Building upon the vocabulary and skills learned in Introduction to
New Testament Greek, students will read The Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospels of Mark and John.
The vocabulary of the gospels will be emphasized, so that by the end of the course students will be able to
read through the four Gospels in Greek without needing to consult a lexicon. This in turn will allow them to
keep in practice in Greek while reading and meditating upon the scriptures in the original language. As
students through practice become more proficient in Greek, they will more deeply appreciate the richness
of the original texts. Pre-requisite: LAS/THE 125: Introduction to New Testament Greek. (Nicholson, 4
Credits. Spring)
LAS 321: Latin III. The purpose of this advanced-level course is to impart fluent reading proficiency in a
wide variety of Latin writings, including selections from St. Thomas Aquinas, the Fathers of the Church,
Medieval Poetry, Hymns, the Old Testament of the Vulgate, some Classical works, and modern Church
documents. The course will include a review of Units 29-35 of Collins' Ecclesiastical Latin with extensive
exercises supplemented by F. L. Moreland and R. M. Fleischer’s Latin: An Intensive Course. Pre-requisite:
LAS 221: Latin II or permission of the instructor. (Zakrzewski, 4 Credits. Full Year)
c) Literature
LIT 100: Freshman Writing. This course teaches students to write clear and effective summaries,
argumentative essays, and research papers. Course components will include: summarizing; brainstorming
and mind-mapping; planning and organizing; writing introductions and conclusions; drafting; revising;
writing research papers; and citing sources. (Marlin, 3 Credits. Full Year)
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LIT 105/LAS 105: Drama Practicum. This course requires extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical
production. Students must complete at least 45 hours of work on such aspects of the production as stage
management, costume direction, and acting. Competence in the selected area must be demonstrated.
(Marlin, 1 Credit. Fall)
LIT 106/LAS 106: Introduction to Drama. This course involves extensive hands-on work on a major
theatrical production, as above, as well as readings and discussions of theoretical approaches to drama and
workshops on dramatic technique. (Marlin, 2 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 125: Creative Writing. “None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty
that you are, something of the pathos with which God, at the dawn of creation, looked upon the work of
divine hands.” So begins Pope John Paul II’s illuminating Letter to Artists. In this influential pastoral letter,
the Holy Father reminds us of the awesome responsibility Catholic artists—including Catholic authors—
have for bringing the Gospel to humanity. He also stresses the vocational aspect of art. This course will be
particularly interesting to those students who feel a call to express themselves through the art of creative
writing. Classes will be conducted as workshops in which students will examine such topics as genres,
style, setting, character development, and the unique responsibility inherent in being a Catholic author.
They will hone their skills by analyzing samples of great works of literature. These will be used as models
and springboards for their own creative works. Students will be expected to produce a personal portfolio of
writings representing their efforts at tackling various literary genres. (Thompson, 3 Credits. Spring)
LIT 141: Introduction to Classical Literature. This course will introduce students to the foundational
epics of the West, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, and Virgil’s Aeneid, as well as a selection of other works by
Greek and Roman authors. Through delving into the thought and outlook put forth in these works, the
students will gain insight into the cultural soil, which, when sown with the seeds of Christianity, gave rise
to Western Christian civilization. They will enrich their ability to understand and engage with the great
canon of Western Literature by studying some of the earliest and most influential contributions to it.
Further, they will increase their understanding of the human condition by examining some of the most
dramatic and profound presentations of human experience available in the Western tradition. (Thompson, 3
Credits. Full Year)
LIT 201: Survey of Literature. In the first year, students acquire a basic knowledge of “our true nature,
our problems, and our experience” from Introduction to Philosophy, which explores these subjects as
naturally knowable, and from the Christian Doctrine sequence, which explores these subjects in the light of
revelation. The History sequence gives a familiarity with “our situation in history.” Thus, having been
suitably equipped through the first year of course work, second year students begin penetrating these issues
more deeply through the great works of literature. The Survey of Literature will introduce the students to
the basic principles of the art of appreciating and critiquing literature while covering authors from St
Augustine to Flannery O’Connor, including Dante, Shakespeare, and Dostoevsky. Pre-requisite: secondyear standing or permission of the instructor. (Marlin, 6 Credits. Full Year)
LIT 251: Catholic Literature. What is “Catholic Literature”? Is it literature written by Catholics or
literature that supports a Catholic world-view, whether written by Catholics or non-Catholics? (The latter
criterion would disqualify some literature written by Catholics!). This course addresses these questions and
others while analyzing the works of some major Catholic writers (e.g. Chesterton, Waugh, Tolkien,
O’Brien) and a few non-Catholic writers (e.g. Robert Bolt, Willa Cather). The aim of the course is to equip
students with the critical skills with which to read and appreciate literature from the standpoint of faith.
Pre-requisite: second-year standing or permission of the instructor. (Thompson, 3 Credits. Full Year)
LIT 301: Canadian Literature. This course looks at some of the seminal literary texts that have shaped
Canadian identity, from the early colonial experience (Susanna Moodie) to the 20th century (Archibald
Lampman, Stephen Leacock, W.O. Mitchell, Gabrielle Roy). Special attention will be given to Catholic
writers in Canada (Morley Callaghan, Michael O’Brien). French texts will be taught in translation. Prerequisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 310: American Literature from the Pilgrims to 1900. Attempts by settlers in America to establish a
sense of self both individually and as a society constitute the founding impulse of American literature. By
looking at these early texts, and by following subsequent developments as pilgrims increasingly forged an
identity separate from that of the mother country, students will gain an understanding of how America was
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shaped in those early years. Connections will be made to literary trends in Britain, but distinct
modifications and departures of American writers will also be appreciated. Authors will include Edwards,
Bradstreet, Franklin, Poe, Dickinson, Twain, and Whitman. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.
(Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 311: 20th Century American Literature. American responses to modernity and post-modernity have
been multi-faceted and inventive. They have frequently involved the development of literary movements,
often divided along geographical or ethnic lines, reflecting the cultural diversity of 20th-century America.
Students will gain familiarity with these movements and their characteristic features, as well as with the
work of individual writers, and special attention will be paid to Catholic authors. Texts will include works
by Faulkner, Steinbeck, Hemingway, Parker, Hughes, Ginsberg, and O’Connor. Pre-requisite: LIT 201:
Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 318: Anglo-Saxon Literature. Anglo-Saxon is the earliest form of our modern English language and
for that reason is often referred to as Old English. Its literature deals with timeless themes such as the
meaning of life; dealing with grief and loneliness; and the existence of God. Yet, despite its seeming
relevance, it is largely overlooked or discarded by modern scholars and students alike because of its
reputation for being “unintelligible.” Nonetheless, those who have chosen to revisit Old English have found
it extremely influential. The poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins, once wrote: “I am learning Anglo-Saxon and it
is a vastly superior thing to what we have now.” Similarly, W.H. Auden declared that Anglo-Saxon left him
“spellbound.” And J.R.R. Tolkien has dubbed it “a noble idiom.” In the spirit of these great writers and
scholars, this course will examine some of the most captivating Anglo-Saxon offerings including Deor, The
Dream of the Rood, and Beowulf, among others. Although the course will periodically refer to modern
English translations of these works, the aim will be to acquire a sufficient grounding in Old English
vocabulary, grammar, and history to read and understand these texts in their original language. Corequisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Thompson, 3 Credits. Fall)
LIT 320: Medieval Literature. This course will explore some key English medieval texts – including
Middle English lyrics, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Langland’s Piers Plowman, Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight, Everyman, and The Chester Play of Noah. Discussion of these texts will focus on questions of
literary merit, style, and genre, but also on the insights they give us into aspects of medieval culture and
society. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Thompson, 3 Credits. Spring)
LIT 322: Shakespeare. This course is an in-depth study of six of Shakespeare’s plays. The focus this year
will be Shakespeare’s histories (I Henry IV, Henry V, and I Henry VI) and comedies (The Taming of the
Shrew, As You Like It, and The Merry Wives of Windsor). Various critical methods will be brought to bear
on these texts so that a range of interpretations may be explored and tested. Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey
of Literature. (Marlin, 3 Credits. Full Year)
LIT 323: Elizabethan Literature. The literature of the Elizabethan period forms the foundation and
inspiration of much of what is to be admired in English literature in general. The supple beauty of the
English language in this era gives life to some of England’s finest poetry (albeit sometimes florid and
archaic); the English Sonnet flourishes; and the prose sparkles with variety and originality. Though many
of the writers of the period identify themselves as anti-Catholic, their writing is nevertheless steeped in a
pervasive Catholic ethos, the nature of which shall be explored through selected works. Pre-requisite: LIT
201: Survey of Literature. (Marlin, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 324: 17th Century Literature. Jacobean drama, Metaphysical poetry, and Milton’s writings share a
tendency to present situations of profound religious and moral import with great emotional force. The
memorable imagery as well as dramatic potency of these works will be studied with a view to
understanding their religious significance as well as to appreciating their literary style. Political and social
developments will also be brought to bear on the texts, which will include writings by Jonson, Marlowe,
Donne, Herbert, Marvell, and Milton. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not
Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 325: Restoration and 18th Century Literature. Significant developments in the practice of writing
literature during this period will be studied, including the restoration of English drama (and the new
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directions the playwrights took); the birth of the English novel; the importance of satire; and the rise of
literary journalism. Authors will include Goldsmith, Defoe, Dryden, Johnson, Pope, Richardson, and Swift.
Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 326: Romanticism. Sweeping changes to European society as a result of the French Revolution were
accompanied by radical transformations in literature, in Britain no less than in France. In poetry, the works
of Blake, Coleridge and Wordsworth, followed by the second generation of Romantic poets, represented a
significant departure from their Enlightenment predecessors, as did the Gothic novel. The nature of these
changes will be examined, and an attempt will be made to understand their implications from the point of
view of philosophy and religion. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered
2005-2006)
LIT 327: Victorian Literature. This course focuses on the literature of the Victorian period, which sets
the foundation for modern literature in English through seminal developments in the novel (Dickens,
George Eliot), and innovation and achievement in poetry (Tennyson, Browning). An abiding concern of the
course will be the decay of religion in England during this period and the genius of the Catholic response to
it in literature, as exemplified by Newman and Hopkins. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.
(Marlin, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 329: Modern British Literature. This course will concentrate on the literature produced in Britain
during the first half of the 20th Century, paying special attention to Symbolism and Imagism in poetry, and
Modernism in the novel. Connections will necessarily be made to the two world wars, noting the rise of
pessimism and nihilism in writings of the period. Equally, however, the importance of religion and in
particular of renewed orthodoxy as a corrective to the general trend will be examined through literary
expressions of faith. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 340: Dostoevsky. This course will seek to appreciate what it is that makes Dostoevsky’s great oeuvre
inexorably Christian, through an exploration of some crucial themes in his works, such as human
sinfulness; repentance and forgiveness; divine mercy; and social justice vs. injustice. Texts to be studied
include some of the major works (The Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot, The Devils) but also some minor
works (Notes from the Underground, short stories). Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.
(Zakrzewski, 3 Credits. Fall)
LIT 351: Dante. “Among the many celebrated geniuses of whom the Catholic faith can boast who have
left undying fruits in literature and art especially, besides other fields of learning, and to whom civilization
and religion are ever in debt, highest stands the name of Dante Alighieri . . .” (Benedict XV). The Divine
Comedy stands as perhaps the greatest Catholic literary work ever produced. Richly imaginative,
stylistically masterful, and religiously profound, it offers inexhaustible material for study. This course will
focus on the work’s poetic imagery, its structure, and its relation to its historical context. Pre-requisite: LIT
201: Survey of Literature. (Marlin, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 371: Literary Theory to 1900. This course focuses on seminal texts in traditional literary criticism
from Plato and Aristotle through Johnson and Dryden to Coleridge and Matthew Arnold, to name a few.
Attempts will be made to understand the philosophical views that shape these literary theories on the one
hand, as well as how the theories can be applied practically on the other. The theories will also be placed in
their historical and literary-historical context. Pre-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature. Co-requisite:
One other 300-level LIT course. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
LIT 471: Contemporary Literary Theory. Building on the knowledge students have gained in Literary
Theory 371, this course will introduce students to more recent challenges to traditional theory and practice.
Schools of criticism such as New Criticism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, feminism,
deconstruction, Marxism, and post-colonialism will be studied, both in terms of their ideological
underpinnings and in terms of their practical applications. Attention will be paid to the ways in which these
theories may in certain cases complement a Christian perspective and/or how they are inimical to it. In
addition, the work of theorists who seek to reinject religious and metaphysical premises into literary theory
will be evaluated. Pre-requisite: LIT 371: Literary Theory to 1900, one other 300 level LIT course and PHI
303: Modern Philosophy. Co-requisite: an additional 300 level LIT course. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered
205-2006)
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d) Mathematics and Natural Science
MNS 121: Introduction to Biology. This course is an introduction to the science of biology. Topics
covered will include: the structure of experiments, both field and lab, hypothesis testing, basic statistics, the
DNA molecule and Mendelian genetics, an introduction to systematics, competition among plants and
animals, individuals and populations, and emerging issues in research. Special emphasis will be placed on
hypothesis testing, and the role of adaptation in understanding biological systems. (Beresford, 6 Credits.
Full Year)
MNS 125: Principles of Natural Science. The nature of scientific knowledge, knowledge gained through
reason and verified by experimentation and experience, is the subject of this course. Drawing upon the
sciences of astronomy, biology, and physics for examples, fundamental scientific principles, concepts,
theories and hypotheses put forward by various thinkers to describe the natural world will be examined.
The course will include an examination of the implications of these principles with regards to the harmony
that should exist between science and revelation, and between faith and reason. (Meenan, 3 Credits. Full
Year)
MNS 141: College Algebra. This course will acquaint the student with mathematical problem solving
models from several fields. Topics include the properties of real numbers, first and second degree
equations, inequalities, graphing, and the basic principles of probability and statistics. (Farrell, 3 Credits.
Not Offered 2005-2006)
MNS 142: Trigonometry. This course teaches students to understand the basics of trigonometry and
algebra; to appreciate the importance of mathematics for training in precise thinking; and to recognize and
apply the uses of mathematics in the real world. (Farrell, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
MNS 145: Euclidean Geometry. This course studies selected books from Euclid’s Elements. Topics
covered include plane geometry, the theory of proportions and classical arithmetic. Students will also
examine how mathematics is related to philosophical issues. (Farrell, 3 Credits. Full Year)
MNS 221: Population Biology. This is an experimental course in population biology. Students will design
and conduct two experiments which explore two distinct aspects of population biology, and write two
review papers on two distinct current topics in population biology. Pre-requisite: MNS 121: Introduction to
Biology. (Beresford, 3 Credits. Full Year)
e) Philosophy
PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. “To the practice of the Christian religion, to the formation of
character and the Christian conscience, which are fundamental elements for all the Faithful, you must
associate a special and correct education and intellectual preparation, supported by Christian philosophy—
that is, that philosophy which was truthfully called perennial philosophy” (Pius XI). Philosophy, the love of
wisdom, integrates the various aspects of human experience into a unified whole, forming the basis for a
right understanding of the relationship between God, man, and the universe. These foundational principles
of philosophical discourse are pre-eminently articulated by St. Thomas Aquinas, who builds upon the great
minds who went before him, the Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, etc. This course draws upon
the works of these great thinkers while articulating the basic tenets of what Pius XI called the perennial
philosophy, that philosophy which is embraced because it is always true. (Schintgen, 6 Credits. Full Year)
PHI 141: Logic. The human mind must be trained to reason properly, and this art of defining and
reasoning is called logic. Since the Catholic Faith is rational, its explanation and defence require that every
educated Catholic be grounded in the principles of right reasoning. This course follows the pedagogical
method of John Oesterle, who summarizes Aristotle’s works on logic in the light of the medieval masters.
We begin with the components of the first act of the human intellect, simple apprehension, including
categorization, opposition, division, and definition before moving on to the second and third acts of the
intellect, namely propositions, judgements of truth and falsity, and, finally, syllogistic reasoning. The
exercises and examples emphasize the use and abuse of logic in everyday speech and actions. (Schintgen, 3
Credits. Fall)
PHI 241: Formal Logic. An examination of the principles and methods of Formal Logic through an
analysis of the foundational texts of Aristotle. Attention will also be given to later historical developments
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by Greek, Roman, and Medieval Logicians. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Not
Offered 2005-2006)
PHI 242: Material Logic. This course will examine how the principles of Logic are used to acquire
knowledge. The methods and degrees of certitude possible to different types of arguments (Demonstrative,
Dialectical, and Rhetorical) will be analyzed. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Not
Offered 2005-2006)
PHI 243: Symbolic Logic. An introduction to the methods and applications of modern Symbolic Logic.
Attention will also be given to the theoretical foundations of Symbolic Logic and its relationship to
Aristotelian Logic. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
PHI 251: Natural Theology. “What can be known about God is plain to men because God has shown it to
them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely his eternal power and deity, has been
clearly perceived in the things that have been made” (St. Paul). A great deal may be known about God and
creation’s relation to God through the analysis of the natural world. This course will explore both what may
be known about God and his actions as well as the compatibility of revelation with natural human
knowledge. Co-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Kennedy, 3 Credits. Not Offered 20052006)
PHI/THE 268: Apologetics. This course is designed to foster the basic principles of apologetic discourse,
as well as the fundamental skills of public speaking. Rather than focus on all the elements of Catholic
theology (covered in other courses), this course teaches students how to argue well for the faith, using
reason and revelation. Students will give a series of weekly talks on various subjects pertaining to
apologetics, including the beliefs of our separated brethren, as well as clearing up certain misconceptions
about our own faith. Clarity of thought, rational discourse, as well as basic rhetorical skills will all be
emphasized. (Meenan, 3 Credits. Spring)
PHI 271/THE 271: Thomistic Thought. “All Catholics who give themselves to higher studies should be
disciples of St. Thomas” (Pius XI). This course offers students the opportunity to fulfill this counsel,
providing them with the principles, experience and knowledge necessary to understand the thought of Saint
Thomas in his own words. Using the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas, students will read
through the Prima Pars and the Prima Secundae, covering the sections on passions, habits, sin, law, and
grace, before turning to an examination of Thomas’ teaching on God, His providence and creation. This
will both deepen the knowledge of these subjects and expose the student to the extremely methodical nature
of St. Thomas’ thought, which is not apparent when one reads only excerpts that are fitted to another
instructor’s syllabus. By examining the questions and articles in a systematic fashion, students should be
able to synthesize and apply the thought of this great Doctor both to perennial questions, as well as those
questions pertinent to the modern age. Pre-requisites: THE 201: Christian Doctrine, THE 210: Introduction
to Scripture, and PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Kennedy and Meenan, 6 Credits. Full Year)
PHI 290: Political Philosophy. “There is no better way to renew a genuinely human political life than to
encourage an inner sense of justice . . . and to strengthen basic convictions on the true nature of the political
community as well as the purpose, the right use and the limitations of public authority” (Second Vatican
Council). This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy, in the context of the
perennial philosophy, from its beginning to our times, familiarizing students with the principles that emerge
along the way. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas
Aquinas, and Maritain, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be
examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. Corequisite: PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Full Year)
PHI 301 Ancient Philosophy: The intellectual patrimony of western philosophy may be traced back to the
philosophers of classical Greece. The ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle have exercised great influence
upon the work of many succeeding philosophers, whether as a foundation for further development of a train
of thought, or as a foil spurring the development of a contrary line of thinking to replace the work of the
ancients. The intellectual patrimony of the Greeks, and the development of this patrimony in the Roman
Empire will be examined in this course, providing a solid background for understanding western thought.
Co-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
15
PHI 302: Medieval Philosophy. This course surveys philosophers and the development of philosophy
from the period of the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance. Emphasis will be given to the continuity of
medieval philosophy with ancient philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle), but also to its originality in
reconciling faith and reason. Attention will also be given to the perennial value of medieval philosophy.
Pre-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Kennedy, 3 Credits. Full Year)
PHI 303: Modern Philosophy. This course will examine the greatest strengths and weaknesses of
philosophy since the Renaissance, examining both where the truth has been further unfolded, and where
men have fallen into error. Students will learn to identify the distinguishing characteristics of Modern
Philosophy in comparison to Classical and Medieval Philosophy. They will study the main positions and
arguments of influential Modern Philosophers, and develop the ability to talk and write about Modern
Philosophy in an informed, intelligent, and articulate manner. Pre-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to
Philosophy. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Spring)
PHI 304: Contemporary Philosophy. This course will survey the development of philosophy in the 20th
century with emphasis upon those lines of thought that are being developed in the 21st century. Special
attention will be given to currents of thought prominent in Catholic philosophical circles, such as
Personalism, the Thomistic Revival, and Phenomenology. Pre-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to
Philosophy. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Spring)
PHI 323: Epistemology. Epistemology is the study of knowledge, what it consists in and how it is
acquired. This course will examine the foundations and types of knowledge. Special attention will be given
to the place of sensation and demonstration in acquiring knowledge. Pre-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to
Philosophy. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
PHI 325: Metaphysics. Metaphysics is the study of the common principles of all beings—both material
and immaterial. This course will examine how Metaphysics is possible and how Metaphysical knowledge
can be obtained. Topics will include: being and beings, substance, essence and existence, potency and act,
and the transcendentals. Pre-requisite: PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Schintgen, 3 Credits. Fall
Semester)
f) Theology
THE 105: Liturgy for the Laity. “Christ is always present in his Church, especially in her liturgical
celebrations. . . he is present when the Church prays and sings, for he has promised ‘where two or three are
gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them’” (Second Vatican Council). This course will
focus upon those aspects of the liturgical actions of the Church in which the laity may take a leading role.
The Liturgy of the Hours and the Church’s teachings concerning liturgical music will be examined in
depth, and the proper role of the laity in sacramental liturgy will be surveyed. (Nicholson, 3 Credits. Full
Year)
LAS 163/THE 163: Economics and the Social Teaching of the Church. The production and
consumption of material goods are the identifying characteristics of a society that defines itself as
‘industrial.’ While such production and consumption should not be the sole activities of man, they are an
important component of his activity, and one worthy of special consideration while dwelling in an
‘industrial society.’ The Church provides guidance for man in this area through her social teaching, but to
intelligently apply this teaching to one’s self, one must also understand the economic principles that guide
society. This course will provide an introduction to the basic concepts of economics and a brief history of
economics so that the students may intelligently read the Church’s social documents. After surveying the
social documents, historical attempts of Catholics to apply the Church’s social teaching to economic life
will be examined. (Finn and Nicholson, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
THE 200: Christian Doctrine. This course covers the Catechism of the Catholic Church, explained in the
light of the Church’s perennial philosophy and theology, especially as embodied in the Summa Theologica
of Saint Thomas Aquinas. It begins with an overview of the meaning of Tradition and Revelation and the
role of reason in interpreting both. The four sections of the Catechism—the Creed, the Sacraments, the
Moral (Christian) life, and Prayer—will be examined in their entirety, with supplementary readings from
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Saint Thomas Aquinas and others on selected topics. Throughout the course practical application of what is
learned, in prayer and in action, is emphasized. (Meenan and Young, 6 Credits. Full Year)
THE 210: Introduction to Scripture. “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” (St. Jerome, as
quoted by the Second Vatican Council). Scripture, the inspired, inerrant Word of God, provides the very
foundation for our Catholic faith. The Scripture courses at OLSWA do not seek to cursorily survey the
entire Bible, but follow the method advised by Pope Leo XIII: “Take the students through the whole of a
few books continuously and with a certain development . . . in such a way that the students may learn from
the sample that is thus put before them to love and use the remainder of the sacred book during the whole
of their lives.” In Introduction to Scripture, students learn both how to read Scripture in the light of the
Church’s interpretative authority and how to incorporate Scripture into the life of prayer more fruitfully, so
that they might come to a fuller knowledge of Christ. Particular attention is paid to the relation between
New and Old Testament books, for, as Saint Augustine says, “the New Testament is hidden in the Old and
the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.” Both the Old Testament books from Genesis through Joshua,
and the New Testament books of Matthew and Hebrews are studied with an emphasis on the formation of
the New and Old Covenants. Co-requisites: THE 200: Christian Doctrine, PHI 101: Introduction to
Philosophy. (Nicholson, 3 Credits. Spring)
THE 245: Magisterial Thought. “Roma locuta, causa finita est” (St. Augustine). The teaching of the
Supreme Pontiff manifests the very mind of Christ. The goal of this course is to gain the ability to read a
papal document intelligently, in the light of the Church’s Tradition and the historical setting and
circumstances in which it was written. Thus, after the course is finished, the student will be capable of
assimilating on his own new documents issued by the Church’s teaching authority, as well as being capable
of locating and assimilating the Church’s teachings on any specialized subject which is important to the
state of life to which he is called. This seminar surveys some of the key pronouncements, letters, and
encyclicals of the popes of the 20th century, with a special emphasis on the rich teaching of John Paul II,
and his call for a new evangelization. Pre-requisite: THE 200: Christian Doctrine. (Meenan, 3 Credits.
Spring)
THE 251: Theology of the Body and Christian Marriage. “During these past weeks, in commenting on
the Song of Songs, I emphasized how the sacramental sign of matrimony is constituted on the basis of the
language of the body, which man and woman express in the truth that is proper to it.” (John Paul II) John
Paul II’s extensive commentary on the language of the body in his Wednesday addresses will be the focus
of the first 60% of this course. The remainder of the course will be spent examining topics arising from
these addresses that are particularly critical to Catholics in or contemplating marriage in the present culture.
Pre-requisite: THE 201: Christian Doctrine or permission of the instructor. (Nicholson and Burchat, 3
Credits. Full Year).
THE/PHI 268: Apologetics. This course is designed to foster the basic principles of apologetic discourse,
as well as the fundamental skills of public speaking. Rather than focus on all the elements of Catholic
theology (covered in other courses), this course teaches students how to argue well for the faith, using
reason and revelation. Students will give a series of weekly talks on various subjects pertaining to
apologetics, including the beliefs of our separated brethren, as well as clearing up certain misconceptions
about our own faith. Clarity of thought, rational discourse, as well as basic rhetorical skills will all be
emphasized. (Meenan, 3 Credits. Spring)
THE 271/PHI 271: Thomistic Thought. “All Catholics who give themselves to higher studies should be
disciples of St. Thomas” (Pius XI). This course offers students the opportunity to fulfill this counsel,
providing them with the principles, experience and knowledge necessary to understand the thought of Saint
Thomas in his own words. Using the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas, students will read
through the Prima Pars and the Prima Secundae, covering the sections on passions, habits, sin, law, and
grace, before turning to an examination of Thomas’ teaching on God, His providence and creation. This
will both deepen the knowledge of these subjects and expose the student to the extremely methodical nature
of St. Thomas’ thought, which is not apparent when one reads only excerpts that are fitted to another
instructor’s syllabus. By examining the questions and articles in a systematic fashion, students should be
able to synthesize and apply the thought of this great Doctor both to perennial questions, as well as those
17
questions pertinent to the modern age. Pre-requisites: THE 200: Christian Doctrine, THE 210: Introduction
to Scripture, and PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (Kennedy and Meenan, 6 Credits. Full Year)
THE 310: Intermediate Scripture. This course builds upon the methods and knowledge acquired in
Introduction to Scripture. The books of John, Romans, and Isaiah are examined continuously and with a
certain development, following the method advised by Pope Leo XIII. To provide the historical background
necessary to begin to understand these books, the historical books of the Old Testament are also examined,
but with less development. Pre-requisite: THE 210: Introduction to Scripture, Co-requisite: LIT 201:
Survey of Literature. (Nicholson, 3 Credits. Fall)
THE 311: Scripture for the Gentiles. This course surveys portions of the Bible written in and, at least in
part, directed at a Greek-speaking culture. Old Testament selections include the books of Wisdom, Sirach,
and the Maccabees, while New Testament selections include Luke, Acts, and a selection of the Pauline
Epistles. Co-requisites: THE 310: Intermediate Scripture, LIT 201: Survey of Literature. (Staff, 3 Credits.
Not Offered 2005-2006)
THE 312: The Gospels. The gospels, revealing the teaching and life of Christ, are the most important
portion of Holy Scripture. New Testament Scholarship over the past two centuries has been very attentive
to the close relationships among the first three gospels, a topic that was also of some interest to the Church
Fathers. The Fathers were likewise interested in how the Gospel of John related to the other three Gospels.
This class seeks to gain a better understanding of the Gospels, as well as appreciating the insights,
difficulties, and errors encountered in modern scripture scholarship. Pre-requisites: THE 310: Intermediate
Scripture, LIT 201: Survey of Literature. Co-requisite: THE 311: Scripture for the Gentiles. (Staff, 3
Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
THE 323: Christology. This course will examine the mystery of the Incarnation, and the union of two
natures in the Person of Jesus Christ. Thus, the course will focus upon the esse of Christ, and how God
could ‘become’ man. The course begins with an historical perspective, following the controversies
surrounding this ‘question of Christ’ from Apostolic times, beginning with Gnosticism and Docetism,
before examining the major heresies of the fourth to sixth centuries, namely Arianism, Nestorianism,
Monophysitism, and Monothelitism, and how the Church responded to each of them. The course then turns
to a systematic examination of how to understand the ‘hypostatic union’ in the Person of Christ, following
primarily Saint Thomas’ exposition as found in the Tertia Pars of the Summa Theologica, questions 1 to
26. Texts used will be the excerpts from the Fathers and the Councils, the Summa Theologica, and excerpts
from secondary sources. Pre-requisites: THE 200: Christian Doctrine, and PHI 101: Introduction to
Philosophy. Recommended: PHI 325: Metaphysics. (Young, 3 Credits. Spring)
THE 331: Patristics. The Apostolic Fathers, the first Seven Councils of the Church, the Doctors of the
Church during the patristic period provide a wealth of insight into Divine Revelation which is both the first
movement of the Church to understand the teachings of Christ more profoundly and a foundation upon
which all further development of Church teaching has been built. This course surveys the writings of both
the Fathers and Councils of the Church during the patristic era, examining both the content and method of
Patristic theology. Pre-requisite: THE 200: Christian Doctrine. (Young, 3 Credits. Spring)
THE 339: Vatican II: Few, if any, events of the immediate past have had more obvious short-term impact
than the Second Vatican Council. This course examines the sixteen documents of Vatican II while noting
both the historical background and the subsequent effects of these documents. The different sorts of
documents will be analyzed, and special attention will be paid to the pastoral situations that informed the
explicitly pastoral documents. Pre-requisite: THE 200: Christian Doctrine. (Meenan, 3 Credits. Fall)
THE 340: The Sacraments. “The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of
Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paraphrasing St. Thomas Aquinas). Building upon the
foundational knowledge of the sacraments acquired in Christian Doctrine, this course will examine both the
nature and effects of individual sacraments and the divine economy shared by all sacraments in greater
depth. So as to appreciate the richness of the Church’s theological tradition and to trace the developments
in sacramental theology, Biblical, patristic, scholastic, and contemporary materials will be drawn upon.
Pre-requisite: THE 200: Christian Doctrine. (Nicholson, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
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THE 343: The Trinity. “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and
life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church). This course allows students who have had the proper
philosophical and theological preparation to explore the greatest mystery of revelation. Readings will be
drawn from the doctors of the Church and magisterial documents. Pre-requisite: PHI 325: Metaphysics. Corequisite: THE 271: Thomistic Thought. (Meenan, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
THE 350: Creation and Grace. The whole of creation depends upon God for existence and, through
created nature, reflects the goodness of God. God, through grace, elevates created nature. This course will
begin by focusing upon what it means to be a creature, and then turn to examine the nature and effects of
grace. Pre-requisites: THE 271: Thomistic Thought, PHI 251: Natural Theology and PHI 325:
Metaphysics. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
THE 352: The Theological Virtues. “Now these remain, faith, hope and charity, but the greatest of these
is charity” (I Corinthians 13:13). The theological virtues are three of the most important means by which
we are united to God. The three virtues are examined both individually and collectively, with a special
emphasis on their inter-relations. Co-Requisite: THE 350. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered 2005-2006)
THE 371: Consecrated Life. “The teaching and example of Christ provide the foundation for the
evangelical counsels of chaste self-dedication to God, of poverty and of obedience . . . They constitute a
gift of God which the Church has received from her Lord and which by his grace she always safeguards”
(Vatican II). This course will examine the development and nature of consecrated life and its essential place
in the Church. Contemporary teaching and practice in consecrated life will be placed in proper context
through an in-depth study of the Church’s rich tradition of religious life as found in the writings of religious
founders and Church doctors. Pre-requisites: HIS 101: History of Western Civilization, and THE 200:
Christian Doctrine. (Nicholson, 3 Credits. Fall)
THE 373: Spiritual Theology. “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself… created man to share in
his own blessed life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, opening line). Through the spiritual life, man
begins to participate in the life of God even while on earth. This course seeks to systematically examine the
principles of the spiritual life in the light of Catholic Tradition. The students will be exposed to some of the
great wealth of the Church through selected readings from the greatest Catholic spiritual writers. Prerequisite: THE 200: Christian Doctrine. Co-requisite: THE 271: Thomistic Thought. (Nicholson, 3 Credits.
Fall)
THE 410: Advanced Scripture. This course delves deeply into a scriptural book, group of books, or
theme. Patristic and modern commentators are brought to bear while examining both the theological and
literary aspects of the topic. This year’s topic will be: St. Paul. Pre-requisite: THE 310: Intermediate
Scripture. (Nicholson, 3 Credits. Spring)
THE 420: Great Catholic Thinkers. Various individuals and movements have had tremendous impact on
the life of the Church through their writings. This course will examine topics in which the student already
has a substantial background in the works of either one prolific writer, such as a doctor of the Church, or of
a group of writers, such as the apologists or the members of the Thomistic revival. Special emphasis will be
placed on how the writers developed the Church teachings that came before, and in turn had their own
teachings developed. Pre-requisites: THE 271 and two 300 level Theology courses. Co-requisites: two
more 300 or 400 level Theology courses. Instructor approval is also required. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered
2005-2006)
THE 452: Ecclesiology. Christ, the head of the mystical body, is priest, prophet, and king. His priestly,
prophetic, and kingly powers are exercised through and upon the members of the mystical body in a wide
variety of ways. This class examines the complex life of the Church in detail. Particular attention will be
paid to teaching and governance in the Church, which will be examined both from the dogmatic and from
the historical perspectives. Pre-requisite: THE 352: The Theological Virtues. (Staff, 3 Credits. Not Offered
2005-2006)
9. CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Presently the Academy offers three certificates:
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
The Certificate of Christian Humanities

Associate Certificate of Christian Humanities

Basic Certificate of Christian Humanities
Students interested primarily in satisfying degree requirements at other schools may prefer to satisfy these
requirements rather than the requirements for the more advanced certificates at the Academy. As the
Academy exists to serve the students, this is recognized as a legitimate option, but the students will receive
only the highest certificate for which they have satisfied all of the Academy’s requirements.
CERTIFICATE OF CHRISTIAN HUMANITIES
Requirements:

Fulfill the core, distribution, and language requirements.

Complete the requirements for a concentration according to the specifications of the respective
discipline.

Earn a minimum of 96 credit hours from the core, concentration, distribution, language, and
elective courses.

Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 63.0 (at least 90 credits must be taken for a letter grade).

File an application for certificate with the Registrar at least one semester before graduation.

Transfer students must earn a minimum of 36 credits at OLSWA.

Length of study must not exceed seven years.
Core requirements (51 credits):

THE 200 Christian Doctrine (6 credits)

THE 210 Introduction to Scripture (3 credits)

THE 310 Intermediate Scripture (3 credits)

THE 245 Magisterial Thought (3 credits)

PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy (6 credits)

PHI 141 Logic (3 credits)

PHI 271/THE 271 Thomistic Thought (6 credits)

PHI 303 Modern Philosophy (3 credits)

HIS 101 History of Western Civilization (6 credits)

LIT 100 Freshman Writing (3 credits)

LIT 201 Survey of Literature (6 credits)

MNS 125 Principles of Natural Science (3 credits)
Language requirement (4 credits):
20

LAS 221 Intermediate Latin (4 credits) (May be waived if proficiency demonstrated through
placement test)
Distribution requirements (17 credits):

One credit in music.

One credit in a survey of the fine arts. Satisfied by either LAS 091 Introduction to the Fine Arts or
LAS 111 Catholicism and the Arts

Three additional credits in literature. Satisfied by either LIT 141 Introduction to Classical
Literature or LIT 322 Shakespeare or LIT 351 Dante

Three additional credits in the humanities

Three credits in math

Six additional credits in science with a lab
Additional Elective Credits Required: 24
ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATE OF CHRISTIAN HUMANITIES
Requirements:

Fulfill the core, distribution, and language requirements.

Earn a minimum of 64 credit hours from the core, distribution, language, and elective courses.

Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 63.0 (at least 60 credits must be taken for a letter grade).

File an application for certificate with the Registrar at least one semester before graduation.

Transfer students must earn a minimum of 32 credits at OLSWA.

Length of study must not exceed six years.
Core requirements (45 credits):

THE 200 Christian Doctrine (6 credits)

THE 210 Introduction to Scripture (3 credits)

THE 310 Intermediate Scripture (3 credits)

PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy (6 credits)

PHI 141 Logic (3 credits)

PHI 271/THE 271 Thomistic Thought (6 credits)

PHI 303 Modern Philosophy (3 credits)

HIS 101 History of Western Civilization (6 credits)
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
LIT 100 Freshman Writing

LIT 201 Survey of Literature (6 credits)
Language requirement (4 credits):

LAS 221 Intermediate Latin (4 credits) (May be waived if proficiency demonstrated through
placement test)
Distribution requirements (8 credits):

One credit in music

One non-musical credit in the fine arts.

Six credits in science or math.
Additional Elective Credits Required: 7
BASIC CERTIFICATE OF CHRISTIAN HUMANITIES
Requirements:

Fulfill the core and language requirements.

Earn a minimum of 32 credit hours from the core, distribution, language, and elective courses

Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 63.0 (at least 30 credits must be taken for a letter grade).

File an application for certificate with the Registrar at least one semester before graduation.

Transfer students must earn a minimum of 24 credits at OLSWA.

Length of study must not exceed five years.
Core Requirements (27 credits):

THE 200 Christian Doctrine (6 credits)

THE 210 Introduction to Scripture (3 credits)

PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy (6 credits)

PHI 141 Logic (3 credits)

HIS 101 History of Western Civilization (6 credits)

LIT 100 Freshman Writing (3 credits)
Distribution requirements (1 credit):

One credit in music.
Language requirement (4 credits):

LAS 121 Introductory Latin (4 credits) (May be waived if proficiency demonstrated through
placement test)
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10. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the three-year program with one of the following concentrations: English, History,
Liberal Arts, Philosophy, or Theology.
Liberal Arts
A Liberal Arts Concentration requires, in addition to the required courses for the Certificate of Christian
Humanities, a third-year level course in each of the following subjects: Latin, Literature, Philosophy, and
Theology.
English
In addition to Freshman Writing (LIT 100), Classical Literature (LIT 141), the Survey course (LIT 201),
and Literary Theory to 1900 (LIT 371), students must complete one course in each of the following four
areas, plus two three-credit electives:
a) Medieval: Medieval Lit (320), Dante (351)
b) Renaissance: Shakespeare (322), Elizabethan (323), 17 th c. (324)
c) 18th and 19th c.: Restoration and 18th c. (325), Romanticism (326), American Lit – Pilgrims to 1900
(310), Victorian Lit (327)
d) Modern Literature: Canadian (301), 20th c. American (311), Modern British (329)
Electives may be drawn from the courses listed above or from the following list: Catholic Literature (Lit
251), Anglo-Saxon Literature (Lit 318), Dostoevsky (340), Contemporary Literary Theory (471)
Total number of credits in English: 33
History
To be determined.
Philosophy
Core requirements: Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 101), Logic (PHI 141), Thomistic Thought
(PHI271/THE 271), Modern Philosophy (PHI 303).
Concentration Requirements: Metaphysics (PHI 325), History of Philosophy Elective (3 credits), Two
Additional Philosophy Electives (6 credits)
Possible Electives: Political Philosophy (PHI 231), Natural Theology (PHI 251), Ancient Philosophy (PHI
301), Medieval Philosophy (PHI 302), Contemporary Philosophy (PHI 304), Epistemology (PHI 323).
Total number of credits in Philosophy: 30.
Theology
Core requirements: Christian Doctrine (THE 200), Introduction to Scripture (THE 210), Thomistic Thought
(THE 271), Intermediate Scripture (THE 310), and Magisterial Thought (THE 245).
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Concentration requirements: Metaphysics (PHI 325), The Trinity (THE 343) or Christology (THE 323),
Patristics (THE 331) or Second Vatican Council (THE 339), and six additional credits of theology at the
300 level or above.
Total number of credits in Theology: 30 (+ 3 in Philosophy)
11. ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
a) Numerical Classification of Courses
Courses numbered below 100 are developmental in nature. Grades in these courses are either S or U,
generally do not transfer for credit to other schools, and may be applied toward a certificate at OLSWA
only in a limited manner.
100 Level Courses: Open to All Students, have no pre-requisites or co-requisites
200 Level Courses: Open to Second- and Third-Year Students and Qualified First-Year Students
300 Level Courses: Open to Third-Year Students and Qualified Second-Year Students
400 Level Courses: Open to Qualified Third-Year Students
b) Credit Hours
A credit-hour value is assigned to each course, with each hour representing between 45 and 60 hours spent
in lecture, reading, research, review, and completing assignments. In lecture classes, a credit hour
represents 15 hours of class time and 30 to 45 hours outside of class. Seminar-style and tutorial-style
classes, which place greater demands upon the student in the context of the class setting, require
proportionally less time with the instructor and more time in independent study in preparation for the class.
A credit-hour for a tutorial requires approximately 7.5 hours with the tutor, and a seminar between 7.5 and
12 hours in the seminar.
c) Classroom Expectations
Regular class attendance is a privilege extended to capable, qualified men and women who have expressed
a desire to be part of the OLSWA academic community. Since the interaction of students and instructor in
the classroom context is an integral part of the educational experience, all students are expected to attend
all classes. Promptness, preparedness, professional dress, courteous behaviour, and timely completion of all
assigned work are expected of all students.
d) Authority of Instructors
Students who do not meet the classroom expectations may be asked to leave class and/or be penalized by
the instructor through a lowering of the grade according to a policy determined by the instructor. Instructors
may, after consulting with the Academic Dean, expel students from a course. Instructors may, at their
discretion, permit or exclude visitors from classes. Instructors also have the authority to give extensions to
deadlines for serious reasons only, but may not grant an extension beyond the last day of class unless they
first consult with the Academic Dean.
e) Academic Ethics
A student is guilty of plagiarism if he reproduces text from another source, even if it be only a phrase,
without citing that source. A student is equally guilty of plagiarism if he presents an idea (even if it be in
his own words) from another source without citing that source. Any student discovered cheating or
24
plagiarizing will receive an automatic zero on the test or assignment and will be reported to the Academic
Dean. Serious cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of F in the course, and may result in dismissal
from the Academy. If a student wishes to challenge a professor’s judgment that he has cheated or
plagiarized, he may appeal to the Academic Dean.
f) Course Load
Standard Load
The standard course load for full time students is 16 credits a semester (32 credits a year). This is the load
required to meet the credit requirement for the various certificates offered by the Academy in the normal
length of time. Any student desiring to take fewer than 16 credits, or more than 18, must consult with his
academic advisor and obtain his signature on the proposed schedule before submitting the proposed
schedule to the office of the Academic Dean. Students should understand that an advisor’s signature
indicates only that the advisor has been consulted, not that the advisor necessarily agrees with the decision
or action of the student.
Underload
For full-time students to take fewer than 14 credits, permission is required from the Academic Dean.
Students in residence are required to take a minimum of 12 credits.
Overload
Students wishing to take more than 18 credits a semester must consult with the Academic Dean. A
cumulative grade point average of a B (73.0) is required to take 20 credits, of a B+ (77.0) to take 21 credits,
of an A- (80.0) to take 22 credits, of an A (85.0) to take 23 credits, and of an A+ (90.0) to take 24 credits.
This average must be based upon at least 18 credits of work. Incoming freshmen will not be allowed to take
20 or more credits in their first semester.
Time Saving Options
By taking more than the standard load of classes, or through accumulating credit by summer school or parttime classes, a student may complete the course requirements for a certificate or degree in less than the
standard number of semesters of full-time study. If one is planning on earning a four-year degree, one who
plans ahead and is capable of handling a heavy course load may easily save a semester, and may save a
year of time and of money.
g) Qualifying for Courses and Concentrations
To qualify for a course for which there is a pre-requisite, a student must have achieved a grade of 60.0 or
above on the pre-requisite course. To qualify for a tutorial course, a student must have achieved an average
of 73.0 in the subject to which the tutorial course belongs. To qualify for a seminar course, a student must
have achieved an average of 70.0 in the subject to which the seminar course belongs. To qualify for
concentration in a subject, a student must have achieved an overall average of 70.0 in courses belonging to
that subject.
h) Auditing
A student who audits a course, attending all of the classes without responsibility for the examinations or
papers, will have the course recorded on his permanent academic record followed by “AUDIT.” When
registering for classes, a student wishing to audit a course should register for the class indicating that he
25
wishes to audit. The Academic Dean will consult with the instructor to determine if the student will be
granted this privilege. Students who sign up to audit a course but withdraw after the standard withdrawal
deadline will not be permitted to audit another course. Audited courses count toward overload at one-half
the normal rate. To be considered to have completed the audited course, the student must have attended at
least 90% of the classes.
i) Adding Courses
Students may sign up for courses that they were not initially registered for up to one-seventh of the way
through the course—i.e., by the beginning of the third week for one-semester courses and by the beginning
of the fifth week for full-year courses, or by the time of the first preliminary examination or the due date of
the first paper, whichever comes first. A student who has signed up to audit a course may opt to add the
course at any time before the first preliminary examination or the due date of the first paper. Adding a
course is done by filling in a course-change form (found in the Library) and having it signed by the course
instructor or chairman of the department and the Academic Dean, who will forward it to the Registrar.
j) Withdrawing from Courses
A student may notify the office of the Academic Dean that he wishes to withdraw from a course up to half
way through the course (ie, October 17th for Fall courses, January 9th for full-year courses, or Thursday
February 23rd for Spring courses), or, in courses with preliminary examinations, a week after the first
preliminary examination, whatever is later. Adding a course within this period is done by filling in a
course-change form (found in the Library) and having it signed by the course instructor or chairman of the
department and the Academic Dean, who will forward it to the Registrar. After this period, students may
withdraw from a course and receive a grade of W only at the discretion of the Academic Dean on the
counsel of the advisor and the instructor, and only for a grave reason of health or other incapacity. If
withdrawing from a course drops a student below full-time status (12 credits), the director of residence life
will be notified, as the academic residences are for full-time students only. A student who becomes parttime through dropping classes will be permitted to remain in residence only at the discretion of the
Academy.
k) Repeating Courses
Courses may be repeated once. In the case of repeated courses, both grades will appear on the Academic
Transcript, but only the second one will be used in calculating the official grade point average. Students
who twice fail a course required for a certificate at OLSWA will not be able to obtain that certificate.
l) Transfer of Courses
College-level courses in liberal arts disciplines may be eligible for transfer credit. OLSWA accepts in
transfer only those credits carrying grades of “C” (63 on 100 point scale or 2.0 on a 4 point scale) or above.
Non-repetitive liberal arts courses meeting this requirement may be applied to the total number of credits
required for a certificate. The Academy will count toward core and distribution requirements only courses
judged by the Academic Dean to match the requirements in content, point of view and purpose. Up to onehalf of the credits required for a certificate may be satisfied by transfer credits.
m) Changing Graduation Requirements
In the case of changes in the curriculum or academic requirements, a candidate for a certificate may choose
to be graduated under any set of graduation requirements in force during his time of enrollment. The
Academy will do its best to enable the student to follow the selected program, provided that the set of
requirements which the student seeks to fulfill has not been supplanted for more than four years.
26
n) Student Classification
Students are classified as follows:
First Year 0-31 credits successfully completed
Second Year 32-63 credits successfully completed
Third Year 64 or more credits successfully completed
o) Grading Policy
Grades are of little importance in comparison with the pursuit of knowledge. Still, they are both necessary
for students who wish to pursue studies after OLSWA and are also a useful, though imperfect, indicator of
a student’s progress.
Grade Scale
The grading scale, which is different from that of some universities and colleges, is as follows:
90-100 A+
85-89 A
80-84 A77-79 B+
73-76 B
70-72 B67-69 C+
63-66 C
60-62 C57-59 D+
53-56 D
50-52 D0-49 F
S Pass
U Fail
inc incomplete
aeg incomplete due to illness
wd withdrawal
ip in progress
Please note that these grades correspond to the American system of grading with respect to the letter grade,
not the numerical grade.
Descriptive Grading Criteria for Student Papers
“A” — An “A” paper is a superior paper. Not only is it mostly free from grammatical or other errors, it is
also stylistically superb. The paper has a clear, precise and significant thesis. The thesis is cogently
supported by original thought based on research (if required), personal experience, class discussion, and/or
the texts being studied in class. The paper exhibits in a superlative degree unity, coherence, and
proportionate emphasis. The paper also evidences exceptional depth of thought, critical analysis and
creative synthesis of primary texts, critical opinion or other concrete evidence. An “A” paper is an
outstanding achievement.
“B” — A “B” paper is an above average paper. It contains many of the qualities of an “A” paper, but to a
lesser extent. A “B” paper must have a clearly stated thesis, and it must be relatively free from
grammatical, orthographical or stylistic errors. A paper may be awarded a grade of “B” if the writer does
not use the strongest supports for the thesis. Often a paper is graded as “B” if the writer has attempted to
develop a thesis which is too difficult given the material at hand and the experience of the writer. A “B”
paper is a significant accomplishment.
“C” — A “C” paper is an acceptable paper. It is not a failing grade. A grade of “C” means simply that the
writer has produced a paper that an “average” student would be expected to write. For instance, if a paper
has a strong thesis and good body support but is too burdened with grammatical errors to be awarded a
higher grade, it may be graded as a “C”. A “C” paper may have a weak thesis, or a strong thesis but the
supports (e.g., argumentation, expositions of pertinent facts, refutation of opposing arguments, etc.) may
fail sufficiently to prove it. Another common problem resulting in a “C” paper is the failure to prove the
thesis with specific details, relying only on superficial observation or broad generalizations for the support
of the thesis, or the thesis does not fully or precisely satisfy the requirements of the paper assignment.
27
“D” — A “D” paper is below average. Typically, a “D” paper is not only structurally weak, but it is also
grammatically and stylistically deficient (including poor spelling and faulty punctuation). A “D” paper may
indicate a failure to understand the assignment, or to comprehend the primary text. A “D” paper may be
characterized by a weak or non-existent thesis coupled with a vague or disorganized body.
“F” — An “F” paper is unacceptable. It indicates a lack of effort to complete the assignment, and it is rare
that a student honestly attempts to complete an assignment and receives a failing grade. However, a paper
containing plagiarism will automatically be graded as an “F” (0). Moreover, late papers will be penalized
according to a rate designated by the professor.
p) Academic Honours
Dean’s List
Students earning a grade point average of 80.0 or more on 15 or more credits completed at the end of a
semester will be placed upon the Dean’s Honour List.
Honour Roll
Students earning a grade point average between 75.0 and 79.95 on 15 or more credits completed at the end
of a semester will be placed upon the Honour Roll.
Graduation with Honours
Cum Laude: Above 76.95
Magna Cum Laude: Above 79.95
Summa Cum Laude: Above 84.95
q) Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal
Academic Warning
Students with a semester grade point average between 60.0 and 58.0 will be given an Academic Warning.
A student receiving an Academic Warning who earns a grade point average between 58.0 and 60.0 the
following semester will be placed upon Academic Probation. A student not on Academic Warning earning
a grade point average below 58.0 but at least 53.0 will be placed upon Academic Probation. Freshmen who
fail two or more preliminary examinations or major papers, or receive a mark between 50 and 60 on three
or more preliminary examinations or major papers in the first semester, or fail one preliminary examination
or major paper and receive a mark between 50 and 60 on another, will receive a Freshman Warning from
the Academic Dean.
Academic Probation
Students placed upon Academic Probation will be required to consult the office of the Academic Dean to
see how performance may be improved. A student on Academic Probation who earns a grade point average
below 58.0 will be dismissed. A student on Academic Probation who earns a grade point average between
58.0 and 60.0 is subject to dismissal, but may be permitted to remain on Academic Probation one more
semester at the discretion of the Academic Dean. Students will cease to be on Academic Probation and
resume normal student status upon both earning a grade point average of 63.0 or above in a semester, and
achieving a cumulative grade point average of at least 63.0.
Students who earn a grade point average less than 53.0 in one semester will be dismissed.
28
At the end of the first semester, the Academic Dean will obtain interim grades in full-year classes for all
Freshmen who have received a Freshman warning and calculate a grade point average including these
grades as well as a grade point average based upon the semester long courses. For Freshmen only,
Academic Warning and Academic Probation will be based upon the lower of these two marks, while
dismissal will be based upon the higher of these two marks. For all other students, semester averages will
be calculated based upon only those classes that were completed.
In keeping with the above policies, instructors should let Academic Dean know of any students who receive
a mark of 60 or below on the first major exam or paper. Instructors should also submit interim grades to the
Academic Dean by Wednesday January 4th.
r) Examinations
A three-credit course shall include one three-hour exam at the end of the course. A three credit course that
is spread over the entire year will not be allocated any time during the mid-year examination period; if the
instructor wishes to give a mid-year examination for such a course, it should be scheduled during class time
in the first or second week of January.
A four-credit course shall include a one-hour mid-year exam, and a three-hour final exam.
A six-credit course shall include a two-hour mid-year exam, and a three-hour final exam.
The Academic Dean shall post the mid-year examination schedule no later than Thursday, November
10th, and the final examination schedule by Monday, March 27th. Students should not be permitted to
deviate from these schedules unless for grave reason, and the Dean should be notified of any special
arrangements made.
s) Transcripts
For an official transcript to be issued, the registrar must receive a request in writing from the student. The
fee for transcripts is $5 for the first transcript, and $3 for each subsequent version of the identical transcript.
12. ADMISSIONS POLICIES
a) Criteria
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy’s program in the liberal arts is guided by Catholic tradition. No one,
however, is excluded on the basis of religion: the truth is universal and open to all. The Academy admits
students without unjust discrimination with regard to race, colour, non-disqualifying physical handicap,
national and ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made
available at the college.
Since the program offered at the Academy is post-secondary, prospective students must complete the
requisite preparatory work at the secondary level (i.e., grade 12). We welcome applications from
homeschooled students.
b) Application Procedure
Application forms may be obtained by contacting us at the address, telephone number, or e-mail address
found on the back of this handbook. Transcripts from secondary and any previous post-secondary
educational institutions must be submitted. Any questions concerning transcripts for homeschooled
students may be directed to the Academy.
29
Applicants must also present two letters of reference, provided in the application package. Along with other
information, the Admissions Committee also uses the written application to judge whether the student
would benefit from attending the Academy. Students should strive to present a clear and well-written
application. If possible, potential students are encouraged to visit the Academy, talk with the professors and
students, and tour the area.
The application deadline for the 2006 Fall Semester is April 15, 2006. Applications will be accepted after
this date, but you may be placed on a waiting list.
c) Transfer of Credits
See section 11. l) above.
13. FINANCIAL POLICIES
a) Tuition and Fees
Tuition for full-time students is presently $3000 ($1500/semester), and room and board $4000
($2000/semester). There is a $25 non-refundable application fee.
The schedule for fee payment is as follows:
Monday, September 12th, 2005 for the fees for first semester, including books.
Monday, January 16th, 2006 for the fees for second semester, including books.
Full-time students should budget approximately $700 total for books.
Tuition for part-time students is $100 per credit. The rate for auditing a course is $50 per credit.
b) Family Discount Plan
If a sibling or siblings of a student attend OLSWA concurrently with that student, the sibling(s) will each
receive a deduction of $500 from their tuition.
c) Outstanding Accounts
All accounts must be paid in full in order for marks, certificates, or transcripts to be issued. Unless alternate
payment arrangements have been made with the Registrar, interest at a rate of 12% per annum (1% per
month) will be added to the outstanding balance.
d) Refund Policy
OLSWA has commitments with regards to housing, faculty, and other educational costs made in advance of
the semester, and so has adopted a refund policy that is equitable to the Academy and its students.
Students who withdraw from the Academy before the end of the semester by filing a written withdrawal
notice are eligible for refund of semester tuition, room and board payments due on Registration Day
according to the following schedule. Students who have arranged an alternate payment plan must
understand that any unpaid balance must be paid.
Refund Schedule:
First 14 calendar days of semester: 60%
15th calendar day through 28th calendar day of semester: 40%
29th calendar day through 42nd calendar day of semester: 20%
30
After the 42nd calendar day of semester: No refund
e) Deposits
A deposit of $500 is required of all full-time students when they decide to accept a place at OLSWA
(normally by the 31st of May). This money will be counted towards tuition for the second semester.
In addition, a damage deposit of $50 is required at the beginning of the academic year. The damage deposit
will be returned when the student has returned his house key, as long as the condition of his vacated room
is determined to be satisfactory.
14. FINANCIAL AID
We strive to keep our fees affordable. In exceptional circumstances, limited financial aid (usually in the
form of work-study) may be available.
31
APPENDIX A: BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
Board of Directors
Christopher Corkery, L.L.B.
Sheila O’Brien
Jean-Paul Patenaude, M.Ed., M.Th.
Mark Reilander, B.Math., B.Ed.
Advisors to the Board
Michael Afelskie
Dr. Floyd Centore
Fr. Ted Colleton, C.F.Sp.
Dr. Donald DeMarco
Dr. David Dooley
Fr. Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B.
Therese Ferri
J. Fraser Field
Dr. Michael Fox
Fr. Joseph Hattie, O.S.B.
James Hughes
Fr. Leonard Kennedy, C.S.B.
Edward King
Very Rev. Pearse Lacey
Michael D. O’Brien
Fr. Leo Sands, C.S.B.
Stephen Platt
Fr. Anthony Van Hee, S.J.
APPENDIX B: ADMINISTRATION
Executive Director: John Paul Meenan, M.Sc., M. Th.
Academic Dean: Christine Schintgen, D.Phil.
Assistant Academic Dean: Scott Nicholson, M. Th.
Registrar: Jeannine Young, CGA
32
APPENDIX C: FACULTY
OLSWA Faculty and Adjunct Faculty for 2005-2006 are listed below. Please note that a full description of
the policies and procedures pertaining to faculty may be found in OSLWA’s Faculty Handbook.
John Paul Meenan
Acting Chairman of Mathematics and Natural Science
Theology
B.Sc., M.Sc., University of Western Ontario
B.C.T., M.Th., Saint Philip’s Seminary, Toronto
jpmeenan@seatofwisdom.org
Scott Nicholson
Chairman of Theology
Acting Chairman of Languages, Arts and Social Sciences
A.B., Cornell University
B.C.T., M.Th., Saint Philip’s Seminary, Toronto
snicholson@seatofwisdom.org
Christine Schintgen
Chairman of Literature
B.A., Carleton University, Ottawa
M. Phil., D. Phil., Oxford University
cmarlin@seatofwisdom.org
Michael Schintgen
Chairman of Philosophy
B.A., University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota
M.A. and Doctoral Studies, University of Dallas
maschintgen@seatofwisdom.org
Heather Thompson
Literature
B.A., M.A., University of Ottawa
celebrindal2003@yahoo.ca
Christopher Zakrzewski
Latin
B.A., University of Guelph
M.A., University of Waterloo
Doctoral Studies, University of British Columbia
zakrzewski@nexicom.net
Adjunct Faculty
David Beresford
Natural Science
B.Ed., Queen’s University
B.Sc., Ph.D., Trent University
Fr. John Burchat
Theology
33
B.A., King’s College, University of Western Ontario
M.Div., St. Peter’s Seminary and King’s College, University of Western Ontario
Cecil Chabot
History
B.A., University of Ottawa
M.A., Université de Montreal
Michael Farrell
Economics, Mathematics
B.Sc., Carleton University
B.A., B.Ed., University of Toronto
M.Math., University of Waterloo
C. Phil., Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles
Paul J. Finn
Economics
B.Comm., M.A., University of Ottawa
Doctoral Studies, American University
Terrence Henry
Music
Father Leonard Kennedy
Philosophy
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Toronto
Patricia Milan
Fine Arts
Certificate of Art and Design, Ontario College of Art and Design
Michael O'Brien
Fine Arts
Father Robert Pelton
Theology
B.A., Yale University
S.T.B., S.T.L., St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore
M.A., Ph.D., University of Chicago
Peeter Tammearu
Music
A.R.C.T., University of Toronto
M.M., Southern Methodist University
M.M., D.M., Florida State University
34
APPENDIX D: CALENDAR FOR 2005-2006
August 2005
Wed
Sun
Mon
Tues
21
22
23
24
28
29Academic
Orientation
30 First day
of classes
31
Sun
Mon
Tues
4
Thurs
25Dorms
Open 9am
Fri
26Orientation
begins 5 pm
September 2005
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
8
9
10
15
16
17
24
6
11
5Labour Day
– no class
12
13
7 Monday
Schedule
14
18
19
20
21 Villa Day
22
23
25
26
27
28
29
30
Sun
Mon
October 2005
Wed
Tues
Sat
27
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
Thanksgiving
11
Break
16
17
18
23
24
25
12 Classes
resume –
Monday
schedule
19 Friday
Schedule
26
30
31
Sun
Mon
Tues
8
13 (Thursday
Schedule)
7 Thanksgiving break
14 (Friday
Schedule)
20
21
22
27
28
29
November 2005
Wed
Thurs
15
Fri
Sat
1
2 Villa Day
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
17
18
19
20
21
22
16 Bishop’s
Visit
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 Villa Day
Sun
Mon
Tues
4
5
6 Last Day of
Class
December 2005
Wed
7 Study/
Make Up
Day
35
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Last Day
of Finals
36
15
16
17
January 2006
Wed
Sun
Mon
Tues
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
9 Classes
resume
16
Thurs
17
19
20
21
22
23
24
18 Monday
Schedule
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Sun
Mon
Tues
February 2006
Wed
Fri
Thurs
Sat
Fri
Sat
1 Villa Day
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
15 Friday
Schedule
22
23
24 Study
break
25
26
27 Study
break
28 Study
break
Sun
Mon
Tues
March 2006
Wed
1 Tuesday
Schedule
8
2
3
4
9
10
11
16 Pilgrimage
to Canadian
Martyrs’ Shrine
23
17
18
24
25
30
31
5
6
7
12
13
14
15 Thursday
Schedule
19
20
21
22
26
27
28
29 Friday
Schedule
Sun
Mon
Tues
Thurs
April 2006
Wed
Fri
Thurs
Sat
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
16 Easter
17 Easter
18 Easter
12 Thursday
Schedule
19 Easter
13 Holy
Thursday
20 Easter
14 Holy
Friday
21 Easter
15 Holy
Saturday
22 Easter
23 Easter
24 Exams
Begin
25 Exams
26 Exams
27 Exams
28 Exams
29
Sun
Mon
1 Exams
Tues
2 Exams
Thurs
4 Day off
7
8
9
Fri
5 Cleaning
Day
12
30
May 2006
Wed
3 Last day
of exams
10
37
11
Sat
6
Graduation
13
APPENDIX E: CLASS SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2005
St Monica
Monday
Introduction to
Catholic
Literature
9:00-10:20
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Writing A
8:45-9:25
Introduction to
Biology
9:00-10:30
Writing A
8:45-9:25
Anglo-Saxon
Literature
9-10:20
Writing B
9:35-10:15
Intro to
Philosophy
1:20-2:40
Writing B
9:35-10:15
Intro to
Philosophy
1:20-2:40
Logic
2:50-3:50
Logic
2:50-3:50
Logic
2:50-3:50
Chorus
12:50-1:50
History West.Civ.
2:00-5:00
Dawson Room
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Latin III
10:25-11:15
Anglo-Saxon
Literature
12:50-1:50
Consecrated Life
2:15-3:35
Dostoevsky
1:20-2:40
Dostoevsky
1:20-2:40
Intro Fine Arts
3:40-4:40
St. Albert
Monday
Christian
Doctrine A
8:40-9:25
Christian
Doctrine B
9:35-10:20
Principles of
Natural Science
12:50-2:10
Survey of
Literature
2:15-3:35
Latin III
10:25-11:15
Vatican II
11:20-12:40
Survey of
Literature
12:45-2:05
Spiritual
Theology
2:15-3:35
Shakespeare
3:45-4:45
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Christian
Doctrine A
8:40-9:25
Christian
Doctrine B
9:35-10:20
Metaphysics
11:20-12:40
Thomistic
Thought
1:20-2:40
Liturgy for the
Laity
3:50-4:40
Christian
Doctrine A
8:40-9:25
Christian
Doctrine B
9:35-10:20
Christian
Doctrine A
8:40-9:25
Christian
Doctrine B
9:35-10:20
Metaphysics
11:20-12:40
Thomistic
Thought
1:20-2:40
Christian
Doctrine A
8:40-9:25
Christian
Doctrine B
9:35-10:20
Introduction to
Biology
10:30-3:00
Advanced
Biology
3:00-4:30
Classical
Literature
7:40-9:00
38
St. Augustine
Monday
Tuesday
Latin I A
8:45-9:25
Latin I B
9:35-10:15
Latin II
11:50-12:40
Inter. Scripture
8:40-10:00
Intro to Greek
10:10-11:10
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Latin I A
8:45-9:25
Latin I B
9:35-10:15
Inter. Scripture
8:40-10:00
Intro to Greek
10:10-11:10
Latin I A
8:45-9:25
Latin I B
9:35-10:15
Latin II
11:50-12:40
Euclidean
Geometry
2:45-3:45
Marriage and
Theology of the
Body
3:00-4:20
Political
Philosophy
3:50-5:10
39