Humanities and Liberal Arts
Humanities and Liberal Arts
CONTENTS
Classics and Early Christian Literature
Major | p. 2
History Major and Minor | p. 3
Humanities and Liberal Studies Major | p. 4
Literature Major and Minor | p. 5
Music Major and Minor | p. 6
Philosophy Major and Minor | p. 7
Politics Major and Minor | p. 8
Shakespeare in Performance Minor | p. 9
Writing Minor | p. 10
Medieval Studies Minor | p. 11
Theology Major and Minor | p. 12
Meet Our Faculty | p. 13
What Are Humanities and Liberal Arts?
Catholic universities are committed to searching for truth and discovering it through the unity of God and creation. At Ave Maria University, this unity of faith and reason shapes our major and minor programs in humanities and traditional liberal arts. You learn how to think, not what to think. These courses will enrich your sense of wonder and present cultural topics in a way that complements your faith, instead of contrasting it.
Through the study of classics, literature, humanities, music, philosophy, politics, and theology, you will experience a renewal of self through the guidance of our excellent faculty.
Interested in Law School?
Ave Maria University offers a pre-law program for guidance on applying to law schools and exploring careers.
AMU has a close relationship with the Ave Maria School of Law (AMSOL) in Naples, Florida. The University and AMSOL have established a standing agreement and “3-3” partnership, making it possible for students to complete a degree from both AMU and AMSOL in six years instead of seven. AMU students can receive a full-ride to AMSOL if they score well on the LSAT and maintain a certain gradepoint average.
MAJOR Classics and Early Christian Literature
The study of Greek and Latin literature has been explored by some of the greatest minds in history for over two thousand years. To continue this tradition, Ave Maria University offers a major in classics and early Christian literature in Latin and Greek.
As a classics major, you will discover the deep presence and transformative culture of the Christian era, through the integration of Greek and Roman civilizations and a vast collection of biblical, patristic, and medieval writings.
• Nationally, classics majors average the second highest LSAT score and the highest success rate in law school of any other major.
• Classics majors consistently have one of the highest average GRE scores.
• According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, classics majors and double majors have a better chance of admission into medical school than science majors.
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Classicist
Lawyer
Historian
Translator
Teacher
Data Analyst
Computer Scientist
Management Consultant
Archivist
Market Researcher
Contact Us
Dr. Bradley Ritter
Chair of Classics and Early Christian Literature bradley.ritter@avemaria.edu
(239) 280-1667
Quick Facts
MAJOR AND MINOR History
History is a method of understanding the ways human societies change over time. Properly understood, it should not focus just on events and changes, but also on the reasons for those changes.
As a history student at AMU, you will learn to analyze and understand key moments in history. By learning, studying, and empathizing with past societies and civilizations, you will discover God’s plan for mankind, and how we fit into it.
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Lawyer
Museum Curator
Political Advocate
Writer
Teacher
Project Manager
Business and Management Consultant
Public Historian
Librarian and Archivist
Contact Us
Dr. Mary Blanchard Chair of History mary.blanchard@avemaria.edu
(239) 280-1563
• AMU history graduates have a high acceptance rate to graduate schools in at least one of their chosen programs.
• Over the past five years, the AMU history department has represented the University with one valedictorian, two presidential award winners, and three presidential award finalists.
• AMU history faculty frequently hire their students as research assistants.
• AMU history students have received internships with local museums and the AMU library.
Humanities and Liberal Studies
MAJOR
The humanities and liberal studies program at AMU is inspired by the Great Books of the Western World. This major offers a broad liberal arts education and comprehensive study of the Western intellectual tradition through philosophy, literature, theology, and history. Classes are conducted as seminars with a maximum enrollment of 20 students per class, for increased one-on-one mentorship with our faculty.
As a humanities student, you will be nourished in an integrated curriculum with a uniquely Catholic discipline.
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Lawyer
Teacher
Journalist
Writer or Editor
Public Relations Manager
Human Resources Specialist
Project Manager
Business and Management Consultant
Performing Arts/Playwright
Contact Us
Dr. Travis Curtright
Chair of Humanities travis.curtright@avemaria.edu
(239) 280-1612
• The humanities major allows students to see connections across multiple disciplines including literature, history, philosophy, theology, politics, and the fine arts.
• Humanities students are enriched by a broad, well-rounded education that provides exceptional preparation for a diverse job market.
• AMU graduates have a high acceptance rate to distinguished graduate programs like Hillsdale College and Mary Baldwin University.
Quick Facts
Literature
MAJOR AND MINOR
As a literature major at AMU, you will consider the continuing themes of humanity through the words of those who came before. You will explore the wisdom of authors like Homer, Milton, Shakespeare, and Austen, revealing new ways of understanding the world around us. You will also develop your own creative imagination by writing stories and poems as they did.
This program will strengthen your skills in analysis, writing, and persuasion, making you highly sought after by employers. In a world hungry for effective communication and creative thinking, literature majors like you are needed more than ever.
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Journalist
Print or Media Editor
Content Manager
Marketing Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Brand Strategist
Speechwriter
Grant Writer/Fundraiser
Lawyer
Contact Us
• Present and former literature students have filled many important posts in the academy and literary institutes.
• Many of our literature students appear in the annual Shakespeare in Performance production.
• In this program, you will read The Iliad and The Odyssey, medieval literature, 18th-century literature, and early modern to 20th-century literature.
Dr. Justin Bonanno Chair of Communications and Literature justin.bonanno@avemaria.edu
(239) 304-7964
Quick Facts
Music
MAJOR AND MINOR
As a music major at AMU, you will study music through a combination of theory, practical work, and intentional appreciation. The program is specifically geared toward the Catholic faith, which places music among the most important disciplines for forming the intellect.
You will focus on three principal areas of musical discipline—applied music study (lessons on instrument, voice, or composition), music theory, and music history—allowing you to acquire musical proficiency and an ability to share your faith through the language of music.
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Music Composer
Music Arranger
Music Teacher or Tutor
Music Director
Music Minister
Contact Us
Dr. Taylor Ferranti
Chair of Music
taylor.ferranti@avemaria.edu (239) 280-1592
Quick Facts
• AMU choirs regularly perform on campus and in the Ave Maria Parish Church, which features a 4-manual organ, spacious choir loft, and incredible acoustics.
• The program’s flexibility makes it easy to doublemajor with another discipline.
Philosophy
MAJOR AND MINOR
Philosophy at Ave Maria University is understood as the love and pursuit of wisdom. It is deeply rooted in our desire to know truth, both in ourselves and in society. Philosophy seeks to answer these questions and articulate them in an ordered and rigorous way.
As a philosophy student at AMU, you will engage in serious dialogue with contemporary thinkers. In addition to the works of modern philosophers such as Descartes, Kant, and Nietzsche, you will be immersed in the writings of ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, and the rich tradition of Catholic thinkers like Augustine, Aquinas, Wojtyla, and Maritain.
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Lawyer
IT Professional
Public Policy Analyst
Public Relations Specialist
Brand Strategist
Business and Hospital Ethicist
Business Consultant
Teacher Contact Us
Dr. Joseph Trabbic Chair of Philosophy joseph.trabbic@avemaria.edu (239) 280-1647
Quick Facts
• Philosophy majors are consistently among the highest scorers on the GRE and LSAT and do exceptionally well in admission to graduate and law schools.
• Philosophy is among the highest scoring majors on the GMAT, and many prominent business leaders earned undergraduate degrees in philosophy.
• Philosophy majors have a higher rate of admission to medical schools than any other major, including pre-med majors.
MAJOR AND MINOR
Ave Maria University’s politics program advances students’ critical understanding of the nature and purpose of political life. The major has three subfields of study: political philosophy, American and comparative politics, and international relations.
As a politics student at AMU, you will build a solid foundation for a wide array of careers, while gaining a sense of public responsibility and a respect for the common good. Through careful analysis of how statesmen and scholars have addressed political questions, you will expand your intellectual horizons while cultivating sharp analytical and critical thinking skills.
• AMU politics majors regularly score above the 90th percentile on the Major Field Test, which is administered to more than 100 universities nationally.
• In Spring 2023, AMU ranked in the 93rd percentile in American government, 98th percentile in international relations, 97th percentile in analytical and critical thinking, and 99th percentile in political thought.
• AMU politics graduates have a high placement rate for internships at prestigious conservative organizations such as the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation.
• AMU politics alumni have succeeded in a multitude of careers including judges, lawyers, lobbyists, and campaign managers, as well as employment in NGOs, the UN, EU, and the State Department.
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Political Lobbyist
Campaign Manager
Lawyer
Criminal Justice Attorney
Political Analyst
Policy Analyst
Military Officer
Teacher
Journalist
Police Officer
MINOR Shakespeare in Performance
AMU’s Shakespeare in performance (SIP) minor allows you to bring some of the most influential works of Western tradition to life, in the Donahue Family Blackbox Theater.
Minoring in SIP will refine your talents in voice, movement, and dramatic theory, while embracing the art of acting as a gift of self. You will not only become familiar with one of the greatest poets of the English language but will also gain a deeper understanding of the human experience through the power of drama.
MINOR Writing
The writing minor at AMU allows you to elevate your written communication while majoring in another field. You will receive careful training in creative, academic, and journalistic writing, empowering you to communicate clearly and effectively in the career of your choice. Through constructive peer and faculty feedback, you can develop your versatility as a writer and learn how to adapt your compositions to the needs and desires of your audience with AMU’s writing minor. Contact Us
Medieval Studies
MINOR
In AMU’s medieval studies minor, you will explore the cultural richness of the “Dark Ages”: the flourishing of monasticism, development of chivalry, rise of universities, building of great cathedrals, and the birth of philosophies and institutions foundational for Western civilization.
This program is highly flexible, with over a dozen electives to choose from and only three required courses: the formation of Europe, elementary Latin, and medieval philosophy. Whether your interest lies in building model Viking ships, singing Gregorian chant, or studying medieval theology, this minor will immerse you in a fascinating chapter of history.
Contact Us
Dr. Thomas Maurer Assistant Professor of History thomas.maurer@avemaria.edu
(239) 304-7073
Theology
MAJOR AND MINOR
Ave Maria University’s theology program assists students in strengthening their relationship with God. Through natural revelation, God manifests Himself in creation. Through supernatural revelation, He manifests Himself in this same creation but to reveal new, intimate depths of His plan for humanity. This superhuman revelation is transmitted to us through Sacred Scripture, the living tradition of the Church, and the authentic Magisterium.
As a theology student at AMU, you will carefully investigate God as revealed through our Catholic faith. Theology is consistently one of the most popular programs at the University and is made up of top Catholic faculty and scholars. Ave Maria theology students also have the unique opportunity to obtain both their bachelor’s and master’s in theology over just five years through our 4+1 program.
• AMU is one of only two schools on the Newman Guide with a Ph.D. in theology.
• Theology is one of the most popular majors at AMU.
• All members of the theology faculty take the Oath of Fidelity and possess the Mandatum required by Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
• Students majoring in theology can earn their master’s degree in just one additional year.
• The theology major is designed to be accessible to students as a double major, to help students strengthen their relationship with God through the program.
Explore Careers
Professor
Religion Teacher
Catholic Apologist
Youth Minister
Writer
Counselor
Priest
Religious Contact Us Dr. T. Adam Van Wart
Quick Facts
Meet Our Faculty
Dr. Dayami Abella-Padron
Assistant Professor of Spanish and Literature
Dr. Paul Baxa | Professor of History
Dr. Mary Blanchard | Chair of History, Assistant Professor of History
Dr. Gerald Boersma | Professor of Theology
Dr. Justin Bonanno
Chair of Communications and Literature, Assistant Professor of Communications
Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Michael Breidenbach
Associate Professor of History
Fr. Romanus Cessario
Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Theology
Dr. John Colman | Professor of Politics
Dr. Travis Curtright | Chair of Humanities, Professor of Literature and Humanities
Dr. Michael Dauphinais | Chair of Theology,
Fr. Matthew L. Lamb Chair of Catholic Theology
Dr. Barry David
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Daniel Davy | Associate Professor of History
Dr. Andrew Dinan | Professor of Classics
Dr. Maria Fedoryka
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Taylor Ferranti | Chair of Music, Associate Professor of Music
Fr. Robert Garrity
Associate Professor of Theology
Dr. William Gonch
Assistant Professor of Literature
Dr. Daniel Gordon | Assistant Professor of Theology
Dr. Gavin Hurley | Associate Professor of Communications and Literature
Dr. John Jasso
Associate Professor of Communications
Dr. Deana Blasile Kelly
Assistant Professor of Literature and Modern Languages
Dr. Seunghee Lee | Associate Professor of Music
Dr. Daniel Lendman
Assistant Professor of Theology
Dr. Gaston LeNotre
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Steven Long | Professor of Theology
Fr. Guy Mansini | Max Seckler Chair of Theology
Dr. Thomas Maurer
Assistant Professor of History
Dr. Mark Miravalle
Constance Schifflin Blum Chair of Mariology
Dr. Roger Nutt | Professor of Theology
Dr. James Patterson | Associate Professor of Politics
Dr. Bradley Ritter
Chair of Classics and Early Christian Literature, Associate Professor of Classics
Dr. Jessica Schnepp
Assistant Professor of Literature
Dr. Seana Sugrue | Chair of Politics, Ambassador Michael Novak Chair of Politics
Dr. Joseph Trabbic | Chair of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Dr. T. Adam Van Wart
Associate Professor of Theology
Dr. Jeffrey Walkey | Associate Professor of Theology
Dr. Lidiya Zubytska | Assistant Professor of Politics