Frequently Asked QuestionsHere are some commonly asked questions about Jesuit education at Santa Clara University. 1 - What is the focus of Jesuit education?2 - How does the Jesuit advantage make Santa Clara different?3 - Is it important to be Catholic at a Jesuit university?4 - Do students have to attend religious services?5 - Is the University owned by the Catholic Church?6 - Is religion taught in the classroom?7 - What does "integrated education" mean, and is that part of the Jesuit Advantage?8 - Where can I find more information on the SCU site?
1-A: The aim of Jesuit education is to help individuals become leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. We want our graduates to excel, and to bring to their lives an ethical perspective and a commitment to help build a more just and humane world. As SCU professor and author Francisco Jimenez says, "Jesuit education stands for strong academics, but it also includes a unique emphasis on meaning and purpose. Often, that means determining not just a workable solution for a problem, but the solution-given those particular circumstances-that represents the right thing to do."
2-A: Ignatius of Loyola, the Basque courtier turned priest who founded the Society of Jesus in 1540, wrote that "love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words." Santa Clara actively urges students to consider "what should be," especially in the context of the poor, powerless, or those who suffer from discrimination in the world. Our curriculum, extracurricular options, and Centers of Distinction all support this commitment.
3-A: Santa Clara is a Jesuit and Catholic university. More than half of our undergraduates are Catholic. However, Santa Clara welcomes all qualified and motivated students. The mix of Catholics and people from other or no faith traditions provides enriching perspectives and prepares our graduates for success in a pluralistic and global society.
4-A: Santa Clara encourages all students to practice and deepen their faith, but religious participation is not mandated. However, events like the 10 p.m. Sunday Mass often are full houses in the historic Mission Church, and many regular attendees are not Catholic. They appreciate the sense of community with other students, and the quiet time set aside for meditation and prayer just before the busy school week begins.
5-A: The University is chartered by the State of California as a public trust, and governed by a board of trustees. Neither the Catholic Church nor the Society of Jesus owns the University, but the inspiration for the University is its Catholic and Jesuit heritage.
6-A: All undergraduate students are required to take three religious studies courses. You can look at the course bulletin outline to see the variety of courses. The religious studies department does offer a major and a minor for those interested. The Jesuit aim of "competence, conscience, and compassion" means your professor may challenge you to consider how ethics, social justice, or a faith commitment may affect issues in history, economics, or literature. But this does not mean that every faculty, staff, and student activity has an explicitly religious dimension. One Jesuit educator has observed that "…a religious university is one which keeps open the lines of communication about the meaning of faith, keeps finding better language in which to carry on the discussion."
7-A: We learn from everything we do. A strong commitment to integrated education is Santa Clara's way of making sure you have lots of opportunities to choose from. Ignatius of Loyola understood this. He sent the students in Jesuit colleges in the 16th century to work in hospitals, jails, and elementary schools. We also provide you with opportunities to work in the community and to reflect critically and creatively on your experience. So we encourage you to choose a community-based learning placement where you can learn from the experience of an immigrant child. Bring back a new awareness of the problems of the homeless from work with people at a shelter. Weigh contrasting economic theories on globalization and then participate in an immersion trip to California's Central Valley, to Mexico, or to El Salvador.
8-A: You can read what students, faculty, and alumni think about the Jesuit Advantage in University on a Mission. The online course bulletin section on religious studies has details about the courses you can take to fulfill the requirement. Here are a few other links that can provide more information on the topic.
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