Full course description
From Wonder to Wisdom:
Why Philosophy Matters to a Catholic
Sunday, February 15, 2026 - Saturday, March 28, 2026
Instructor
Dr. Elizabeth Salas
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Teaching Assistant
Melissa Pordon
Course Description
"From Wonder to Wisdom: Why Philosophy Matters to a Catholic" explains how philosophical thinking sustains, enriches, and communicates the Catholic faith. Drawing on the Catholic intellectual heritage—which includes the insights of Greek philosophy, medieval scholasticism, and modernity—the course offers an overview of perennial issues confronting the mind and the heart of man.
Beginning with a study of human dignity, manifested in the phenomenon of “wonder,” the student will then explore the meaning of “being” itself and the concept of human personhood. Subsequently, the course examines morality, or ethics, insofar as it reflects who we are as persons. The course also addresses two contemporary challenges—technology and relativism. It concludes with a discussion of the limitations of philosophy, insofar as reason is grounded in the senses.
This course is not intended to be academically strenuous but to provide a shallow-entry point for those who have busy lives and need flexibility. This course is designed for personal enrichment and does not count towards any academic credit at Sacred Heart Major Seminary or for any certification in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Contact
For questions about course content contact the instructor/teaching assistants using the Inbox on the red menu bar on the left side of your online course page.
For technical support see the Tech Support guide in the Welcome module of the course.
Textbooks
Required Readings:
No required texts for this course
Schedule of Topics:
- Introductory Module: Available beginning January 26, 2026
- Module 1: What Is Philosophy and Why Study It? (February 15 - February 21)
- Module 2: Metaphysics (February 22 - February 28)
- Module 3: The Human Person (March 1 - March 7)
- Module 4: Ethics (March 8 - March 14)
- Module 5: Philosophy and Culture (March 15 - March 21)
- Module 6: The Limits of Reason (March 22 - March 28)
Weekly Activities:
The following learning activities are available to students each week. There are no specific requirements for participating in the course. However, those who complete all the videos and self-tests will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
- Weekly video lectures
- Weekly recommended readings and links to additional learning resources
- Weekly self-test to see what you’ve learned
- Open online discussion for participants to share with each other what they are learning and encourage each other
The time commitment is flexible for this course. There is one weekly video lecture (~20 min). Participants who are interested in completing all recommended readings and course tasks can expect to spend around 2-3 hours/week on the course. However, levels of participation and engagement are up to the discretion of the individual.
All Equip Courses Include These Features:
- A dedicated online learning support coordinator to offer prompt assistance
- 24/7 access to the digital learning environment
- Engagement as a community of connected learners who share a common faith
- Extended access to course content after the course end date
- Learning environment support provided by Canvas (our learning management platform)
- Technical assistance provided by Sacred Heart’s IT staff
- A Certificate of Completion is awarded to those who complete the course learning activities
Technical Requirements: