THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY

by Chris Brennemann, PhD

The QU School of Humanities includes degree programs in English, History, Political Science and Theology/Philosophy with a pre-professional program in Pre-Law. Theology and Philosophy stand at the core of QU’s liberal arts program.

Manning, professor of philosophy, explained that Quincy University has always required both philosophy and theology, and both are central to QU’s Franciscan and Catholic identity. For many years, theology and philosophy functioned as separate departments. The theology side was a religious studies department. About 15 years ago, the theology and philosophy departments merged. “Catholicism in many ways emphasizes that theology has to be in deep conversation with philosophy as Bonaventure and Aquinas and Eckhart and Occam were,” said Manning.

Strudwick, professor of theology, believes that since the founding Friars of Quincy University would have been steeped in both philosophy and theology, they would have wanted students to leave the university with a grounding in both disciplines. “We have continued to build upon their vision and challenge each QU student to ask the big questions concerning God, truth, goodness, and beauty,” stated Strudwick.

Theology and philosophy professors draw from their rich, intellectual tradition to integrate faith and reason, drawing out the best in both and believing that they are ultimately compatible.

Each professor expounded on the growth of the program and the collaboration between theology and philosophy departments.

Bates explains that the program has grown in its ecumenical orientation and its scholarship. “Compared to past generations, the breadth of the Christian tradition is more fully represented in the department today,” said Bates. In addition, faculty members in theology and philosophy have published and edited numerous books and articles in recent years. These publications include research at the highest academic level that are also popular and influential pieces of scholarship.

Most recently, Strudwick and Jonathon Fuqua, PhD, lecturer in philosophy and theology, co-edited By Strange Ways: Theologians and Their Path to the Catholic

Church. A work that exclusively features the conversion stories of theologians and provides a unique vantage point on the intellectual challenges faced by those being drawn to the Catholic Church.

Jonathon Miles, PhD, professor of philosophy, wrote Practical Bioethics: Ethics for Patients and Providers, a textbook on the importance of health care ethics.

Manning is encouraged by the collaboration within the division. He says that all theology/philosophy professors are committed to dialogue, to academic work in conversation with one another to strengthen their program and the division.

Reflecting on some standout moments in the program, Strudwick emphasizes the character and service mentality of theology and philosophy graduates. “Some of the very best students who have attended Quincy University have chosen to be philosophy or theology majors. These are men and women who are not only gifted with great intellectual prowess but also seek to place all of their talents in the service of others.”

Graduates from the theology and philosophy majors seek a variety of jobs where clear thinking, problem solving, creativity, and clear expression of thoughts are valued. The most frequent career paths relate to education and ministry. “We have graduates who are now priests and ministers,” said Strudwick. “We have others who have earned graduate school degrees and are teaching at all levels.” Some alumni have entered fields unrelated to theology but take their learning and use it to benefit their church communities.

Professors in the theology and philosophy department explained that being a student at QU offered alumni the opportunity to study theology and philosophy, usually without the distractions of career and family concerns. This time was instrumental in forming their understanding of the world and of themselves. “I would encourage alumni to continue to build on the foundation they received at QU, even if they must squeeze the reading in between a myriad of other obligations,” said Strudwick.

Dr. Robert Manning, PhD, is the Dean of the School of Humanities and Professor of Philosophy. Manning has been at Quincy University since 1990.

Contributors:

Matthew Bates, PhD Professor of Theology

Robert Manning, PhD Professor of Philosophy, Dean of School of Humanities

Daniel Strudwick, PhD Professor of Theology, Dean of President’s Honors College