Notre Dame STEP Program -- Any Experiences?

[AngryOldDem]

Got a brochure via mail about the University of Notre Dame's STEP -- Satellite Theological Education Program. Basically, it's an offering of online classes led by ND theology faculty on various topics, from Vatican II to Thomas Merton. Several of the offerings for 2005-2006 sound intriguing -- mainly the courses on Vatican II and book seminars on Dorothy Day and Merton. The prices are fairly reasonable too. I did a check of the Website and the descriptions are making it even more attractive. Prices aren't bad, either. But I'm having to weigh some time commitments, but if these classes are worth it, I'm willing to make the effort. Has anyone out there had any experience at all with this program? If so, what were your impressions?

I'll edit this to add the link.

http://www.ndstores.com/step/index.cfm

[shrike]

1. Sounds great

I love the book seminar topics. Flannery O'Connor's a great writer, and I've always wanted to read Walker Percy. Considering how expensive it is to attend Notre Dame as a matriculated student, these prices are extremely reasonable.

Thanks for the link. I might just join you for a seminar or two this winter.

[AngryOldDem]

2. I'm probably going to go ahead and sign up

As much as I'd like to take the Vatican II courses (I've been interested in this period of Church history for quite some time), I'm probably going to go with the book reviews. Now I have to pick among Day, Merton, and Percy.

But I may do the Vat II stuff, too...I hate getting brochures like this because, dang, EVERYTHING looks good! :-)

[hedgehog]

3. Check into your diocese's Religious education programs

Here they cost about $30 for multiple sessions and maybe $5 for a single session. Those of us who teach religious ed (aka Faith Formation aka CCD) are required to take three courses to start. (The parish generally picks up the bill). Enrichment courses on Church History, Celtic Christianity, Eucharist etc are also offered. If you're really into it, there are advanced courses that lead to lay ministry.

[AngryOldDem]

4. My diocese has that....

...but only at the seminary, which time-prohibitive for me. Plus, it's expensive -- which is why the ND program has much appeal to me since I'd be taking it for my own enrichment.

I have seriously thought about the programs at the seminary, but right now they're just not doable.

[DemBones DemBones]

5. That's the thing with diocesan courses here --

they're too far away, no matter how interesting they sound.

Most of these STEP courses are a great bargain, too. I noticed that the more expensive ones are the ones that you get a certificate and contact hours for, and perhaps could get the parish to pay for if you're teaching religious education.

So have you decided what to take first?

The Flannery O'Connor "Mystery and Manners" sounds awfully good to me but isn't until next April.

[AngryOldDem]

6. I haven't decided

Still going back and forth between the Vatican II courses and the Merton/Day/Percy offerings. I'd like to somehow try to take them all (some don't begin until next winter), but I have to be realistic...I'm taking a 9-hour school load this fall, plus working full-time second shift, plus family obligations...and there's just so many hours in the day.

I do enjoy Merton and would love to read/hear critical commentary of his works...so right now, I'd say I'm leaning toward The Seven Storey Mountain.

As for the seminary courses here...they're geared toward those who are working toward ordination or lay certification, which I am not (obviously). I'm just in this for my own edification. Last summer I audited a grad school class in Catholic Social Teaching at my alma mater (University of Dayton) and enjoyed it immensely.

STEP sounds like a good deal -- the classes that cost a little more are monitored, I think, by ND faculty. I find it commendable that ND is willing to do this. Wish more schools would. Maybe they do; they need to get the word out.