Matthew R. Gomez, Collegis Inc.
August
21, 2003
Featured
in The
Evangelist
Through
the help of Web-based technology and the University of Notre Dame's
Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP), Catholics can
enroll in academic and sometimes interactive studies about their
faith.
The
courses are designed to help people strengthen their individual
grasp of Scripture, doctrine and spiritual studies.
"We
want to place the academic resources of the University of Notre
Dame in the service of the whole Church," said STEP director
Thomas C. Cummings.
All
of the courses are developed by professors from Notre Dame's Department
of Theology, and the topics include Scripture, Eucharist, Christology,
the Creed, Ethics, and Liturgy. Courses are six weeks in duration
and require no advanced computer or theology training.
Students
enrolled in STEP represent more than 80 different dioceses in
the United States. STEP has also welcomed students and applicants
from Botswana, Canada, England, Ireland and Vietnam.
Two
basic types of courses are offered. Open Enrollment courses include
"Creation: Christian Doctrine for Catechists," "The
Creed: We Believe... ," "Images of Christ Through The
Ages," "Liturgy: A Guide for the Perplexed," "An
Introduction to the New Testament" and "On Prayer."
The courses last six weeks and cost $79 per course. They are offered
several times a year.
Limited
Enrollment courses, which are offered only once a year, last six
weeks and include "The American Catholic Experience,"
"American Catholicism since Vatican II: Challenge of Change,"
"The Christian Conscience and Ethical Dilemmas: Guidance
from the Catholic Tradition," "Eucharist: Source and
Summit of the Christian Life," "From Proclamation to
Scripture: An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms in the Gospels,"
"An Introduction to the Letters of St. Paul," and "An
Introduction to Sacraments." Limited Enrollment course tuition
is $134.
For
more information, go to http://step.nd.edu.
