Matthew Fallon (ALPH and Psychology)

I am a senior majoring in ALPH and psychology and I believe that the second theology class is fundamental to our identity as a Catholic institute of higher learning.

As a student who has gone through Catholic school since before I could read, theology courses have been an important part of my education and invaluable in developing and strengthening my Catholic identity. I have many friends who are Catholic or Protestant and have not gone through so many theology courses and they have a difficult time explaining their own beliefs, where they come from in Scripture and Tradition, and even how they differ from other communions or denominations. After my many years of theology courses, my first theology requirement at Notre Dame was almost entirely a review of what I had learned in my previous courses, though it offered opportunity for Catholic and non-Catholic members of the class to engage in theological discussion. The second theology course requirement is where students who already have a good grasp of their faith can explore areas of their faith that interest them more and allow them to think critically about their faith and the Church and how to live as an example to both in their life. The requirement of two semesters of theology for every student allows non-Catholic students the opportunity to learn what Catholicism is actually about, rather than the popular insults about it, and that it is a faith that is always evolving as its faithful must always continue to evolve in their faith through education and reflection. 

I believe that the deepening questions and reflections present in the second theology requirement is a necessary part of a Catholic education, especially at “the nation’s premier Catholic university”, and it serves as a reminder that we must make room in our academic pursuits and ambitions to delve into the depths of our faith, or at least the faith of the university that we have chosen to attend.