The Papacy & the Roman Church

  Italy

• Rome: 
Roma (Rome)

Term: Fall 
Dates: Call CEA or visit our website.

Description: Since the fourth century, Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. Thus the history of this great city is inextricably tied to the history of the Church, and intimately connected with its leaders, the popes. This course allows you to study at first hand the historical circumstances that contributed to the development of the papacy and the meaning attributed to this evolution by popes and thinkers at each stage. You will critically examine the interaction between theory (the understanding and theology of the papacy) and reality (the actual lives of the men who filled this role and often fell far short of the ideal, the places they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired). By examining the historical development of the Holy See through a variety of textual and visual sources, and debating the most critical theological issues that have concerned it, you will gain rich insights into the sophisticated forces and ideas which have shaped the modern-day papacy.

Your analysis and progress will be greatly augmented by the anatomy of this course as many of your classes are held on site, in the lavishly-decorated churches and grand palaces that have been the setting of papal history since the time of Saint Peter, while a special "up-close" opportunity for the whole class to attend a papal audience with pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican will also reveal and underline the special characteristics and popularity of the contemporary papacy.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Call CEA or visit our website for current prices

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Italy Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. A variety of scholarship opportunities are available for summer, semester, and year programs.

Application Process Involves:

• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

CEA - Cultural Experiences Abroad's Mission Statement: CEA's Mission is to create and facilitate opportunities for personal growth and global understanding through quality international education and cultural experiences.

Year Founded: 1996