2005-2006 Academic Catalogue
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Ave Maria University Catalogue 2005-2006 1025 Commons Circle Naples, Florida 34119 Telephone: (239) 280-2500 www.naples.avemaria.edu July 2005 Ave Maria University All Rights Reserved Volume III 2 Ave Maria University An Invitation to Study at Ave Maria University Ave Maria University is a new Catholic University aspiring, under grace, to become a vital center of the “new springtime” of culture anticipated by John Paul II for this millennium. As a Catholic institution of higher education dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our patroness, we know that her Son, Jesus Christ, is the divine Teacher who opens our minds and hearts to the fullness of Truth. “He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).” He is the source and goal of everything we do, as we educate laity, priests and religious who will go forth boldly to foster a true culture of life and civilization of love. Ave Maria University is committed to building a university that will earn a reputation for excellent teaching, cutting-edge research, and joyful fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. To develop the first of these “pillars,” we have attracted an extraordinarily gifted and dynamic faculty. By means of our integrated liberal arts core curriculum, these teachers introduce our students to the great tradition of theology, philosophy, history, literature, classical languages and natural sciences, imparting what Pope John Paul II calls “a unified and organic vision of knowledge” (Papal Encyclical, Fides et Ratio). Students learn not just to memorize material, but to understand it deeply, appropriate it, and apply it to their lives. The members of our faculty are also excellent scholars. At the heart of every true university can be found professors who are actively engaged with the world and at the forefront of the search for truth in their respective field. Ave Maria University encourages its faculty to research, publish, lecture at international conferences or serve as editors of scholarly journals. Finally, our joyful fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church lies behind our expansive academic vision. To be “Catholic” means being universal: open to all true things, and committed to bringing the good news to every aspect of our world. Students at Ave Maria University will receive the tools and education to be the next generation of leaders as businessmen, politicians, lawyers, scientists, priests, educators, doctors, dramatists, homemakers, and the list goes on. Come and be part of the development of a great Catholic university for the 21st century and beyond. In Christ, Michael A. Dauphinais, Ph.D. Dean of Faculty 2005-2006 Catalogue 3 Table of Contents An Invitation to Study at Ave Maria University 3 1. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION 5 Mission Statement, History and Catholic Identity 6 Academic Calendar 2005-2006 8 II. PHILOSOPHYOF THE CURRICULUM 11 III. ADMISSION TO STUDIES 15 IV. FINANCIALAID 25 V: STUDENT LIFE 35 Psychological and Career Counseling 42 VI. ACADEMIC POLICIES 43 VII. UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR PROGRAMS & COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 53 Core Curriculum & Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements 54 The Biology Major 57 Pre-medicine Program 60 The Classics and Early Christian Literature Major 62 The Economics Major 67 The History Major 73 The Literature Major 79 The Mathematics Major 83 The Music Major with Concentration in Sacred Music 89 The Philosophy Major 94 The Political Science Major 100 The Theology Major 104 Special Academic Programs 108 Theatre Arts 108 Humanities Seminar 108 Pre-Theologate: Preparatory School of Theology 109 VIII. THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS & COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 113 The Graduate Program of Education: Master of Arts in Exceptional Education 114 The Graduate Program of Theology: M.A. & Ph.D. in Theology 120 Institute for Pastoral Theology: Master of Theological Studies 139 IX. LEARNING RESOURCES 154 Academic Advising 154 Library 154 Writing and Rhetoric Center 155 Tutoring 155 X. DIRECTORIES 156 4 Ave Maria University Introduction and General Information The University is a place on concourse, whither students come from every quarter for every kind of knowledge...It is a place where inquiry is pushed forward, and discoveries verified and perfected, and rashness rendered innocuous, and error exposed, by the collision of mind with mind, and knowledge with knowledge. —John Henry Cardinal Newman, The Idea of a University 2005-2006 Catalogue 5 G Introduction & General Information Mission Statement Founded in fidelity to Christ and His Church in response to the call of Vatican II for greater lay witness in contemporary society, Ave Maria University exists to further teaching, research, and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the abiding tradition of Catholic thought in both national and international settings. The University takes as its mission the sponsorship of a liberal arts education curriculum dedicated, as articulated in the apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, to the advancement of human culture, the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith, and to the development of professional and pre-professional programs in response to local and societal needs. As an institution committed to Catholic principles, the University recognizes the importance of creating and maintaining an environment in which faith informs the life of the community and takes expression in all its programs. History and Catholic Identity Ave Maria University is a Catholic liberal arts-based institution of higher education devoted to the education of the whole person, a dynamic process that engages students in both the pursuit of academic excellence and a deep exploration of Catholic faith and culture. The essential mission of the University is the development of a Christ-centered scholar prepared for lifelong learning, professional career, or pursuit of further graduate education. In 1998, Ave Maria Institute was founded as a two-year institute of Catholic higher education with the encouragement and support of Bishop Carl F. Mengeling of the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan. After it began in September 1998 with 40 students, Ave Maria Institute quickly grew and developed an ambitious and far-reaching plan for development. In 1999, it acquired a branch campus in Nicaragua. In the year 2000, Ave Maria College was pre-accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Arts Education and approved by the State of Michigan as a four-year, degree- granting educational institution offering the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. The Ave Maria College graduated its first class in Spring 2002. The College received candidacy from the North Central Association in the Spring of 2003. As additional Ave Maria entities came into existence, the concept of an Ave Maria University evolved. Originally conceived as a Michigan development, the wisdom of establishing a Florida entity as the foundation for the University became increasingly clear. Thus, an interim campus of Ave Maria University was established at the Greenfield Commons property, 1025 Commons Circle in the Vineyards, an upscale residential and recreational development in Naples, Florida. This campus is located on seven acres and currently contains two four-story mid-rise, condominium style residence halls; a two-story men’s residence hall, indoor-outdoor recreational facilities, classrooms, academic laboratories, a multipurpose facility (bookstore, chapel- auditorium, visitors center, library, classrooms, and offices), an adoration chapel, computer laboratories, a dining facility, offices for faculty and administrative personnel, and faculty residences. Now completed, this campus contains more than 75,000 square feet of facility space. The interim campus is designed to house more than 400 -500 students with adequate office space for faculty and staff and appropriate support facilities. 6 Ave Maria University Introduction & General Information F While the University has launched its operations in the Vineyards in North Naples, property acquisition, planning, permitting, and construction work has begun on the permanent campus to be located east of Naples near the Immokalee community. The University will be built as an integrated entity containing the educational and student support facilities, a distinctive church, a commercial center, and residential and recreational areas. This development is a significant development in the history of Florida and higher education, as rarely has a campus of such anticipated stature been conceived and built from the ground up within such a short time. This is the first new Catholic university to be founded in more than 40 years. The campus is initially designed to occupy almost 1000 acres and is scheduled to open during the 2007-2008 academic year. Governance Ave Maria University is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees that oversees the activities of the University. The Board appoints the President to carry out its mission through the programs offered by the academic community. The Board is advised by a national advisory committee of Catholic scholars, clergy and lay leaders. In consultation with the Provost and other senior staff, the President appoints the faculty and other administrative officers who manage the operation of the University. In accordance with the bylaws of the University, the Ave Maria University Board of Trustees are members of the Catholic Church committed to its Magisterium (teaching authority). This Board guides the development of the institution and takes responsibility for its ongoing programs and success. In accordance with the laws of the state of Florida, the Board exercises fiduciary responsibility for the University, reviewing and approving its annual budget and making appropriate policy decisions. The Board delegates to the President the responsibility of leading the academic community in fulfilling the institution’s mission. With the help of senior staff, the President implements Board policies for academic and non-academic programs. It is also the President’s role to represent the University to the rest of the community and to outside regulatory and academic bodies.