Rome Travel Study Course

This in-depth travel study course explores the development of Christian spirituality from its origins to the present day through the lens of Rome. From ancient imperial capital to centre of the Roman Catholic Church today, the city of Rome presents a living history like no other city! This two-week course examines how Christians throughout history have approached God in prayer and practice, and how these diverse spiritualties have intersected with art, architecture, politics, and culture.

3-credit experiential learning course that is cross-listed as a History and a Religious Studies course (students chose whichever option is most beneficial to their program of study)
Led by StMU faculty (Dr. Peter Baltutis = https://stmu.ca/dr-peter-baltutis/)
Guided tours by local experts of the Vatican, the catacombs, the major basilicas, as well as other key pilgrimage sites that are significant to Christian Spirituality
Guided tours by local experts of museums, monuments, and other sites that are important to the history of Rome
This trip also includes special excursions to:
- Ostia Antica (1 day) – archaeological site of what was once the harbour city of Ancient Rome on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
- Montecassino Abbey (1 day) – established in 529 by Saint Benedict as his first monastery (and one of the two largest in Italy)
- Assisi (2 days) – the medieval city of Saint Francis and Saint Claire
- Florence (1 day) – the centre of the Italian Renaissance
4 monthly pre-trip seminars (January, February, March, and April 2023)
Information Sessions: Wednesday, September 28 (12:00 – 1:00 pm) in C107 and Tuesday, October 4 (2:30-3:30 pm) in C111
Applications DUE Monday, October 17, 2022
Pre-Trip Course in Calgary = Monday, May 8 – Thursday, May 11, 2022 (9:00 am – 12 noon)
In Rome = Sunday, May 14 – Sunday, May 28, 2023