2015 Issue of Arcadia is Published
Friday, July 31, 2015
Arcadia - A Student Journal for Faith and Culture, offers a vehicle where University undergraduates can contribute to the ongoing "dialogue between the Catholic tradition and all areas of contemporary culture." A project of the Department of Catholic Studies, Arcadia is edited by students and faculty of Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, and is published annually at the close of the Spring semester.
This is what John Hughes, editor in chief of Arcadia has to say about the new, 2015 issue:"I am proud to present to you the 2015 edition of Arcadia: The
Department of Catholic Studies Student Journal. When Dr. Ines Murzaku,
our Department Chairperson, approached me about returning as Student
Editor for publication of Arcadia, I was thrilled at the prospect of
publishing a variety of material that reflect how students live out and
experience their faith within Seton Hall University.
After careful consideration, we chose “Devotions” as our theme for
this year’s edition of the journal. The entries represent the diverse
student body of the Department of Catholic Studies. You will find that
our contributors’ majors include Education, History, Philosophy, and
Theology, among others. We also have contributions from alumni, a nod to
the fact that Seton Hall is a home even after graduation
Not only do our contributors’ backgrounds vary, but the way in which
they express their faith and the various devotions are just as
significant. Catholicism gives us so many ways to pray and in this
journal we see drawings, essays, poetry, and photography among the ways
that our contributors show their faith."
About the Department of Catholic Studies
Established in 2012 - the Year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of
the opening of Vatican II - the Department of Catholic Studies at Seton
Hall, America's oldest diocesan university, fosters Seton Hall's
Catholic identity and mission by exploring the relationship of
Catholicism with all areas of culture and learning. Since its focus is
the Church's encounter and dialogue with society, or the Church in the
world, Vatican II designated a special place for Catholic Studies as a
discipline in academic life. As a result, Catholic Studies is a dialogue
between Catholicism and culture that occurs in a special way at
Catholic universities. While respecting other disciplines, Catholic
Studies explores theology and philosophy in relation to culture,
humankind and the world. This methodological approach opens up a place
for all other disciplines; these enrich Catholic Studies and are
enriched in return. Catholic Studies builds upon and develops the themes
and questions addressed in the University Core Curriculum and is complementary to
other
disciplines. A bachelor's degree in Catholic Studies is an
interdisciplinary, liberal arts degree - a major that enhances every
other major. Seton Hall is the first university in the eastern United
States to create a Department of Catholic Studies. In December 2013, the
Holy Father, Pope Francis, imparted the Apostolic Blessing to Seton
Hall University on the occasion of the establishment of the Department
of Catholic Studies. This makes Seton Hall the first and only university
in the United States to claim such a rare honor.
