Summer at Linz
The CSTM is delighted to partner with the Katholische Privatuniversität Linz (KU Linz) in Linz, Austria to offer CSTM students an opportunity to enrich your theological education by studying at an institution that has been doing theology for 300 years.
Boston College CSTM Summer at Linz is comprised of two three-week sessions, including a six-week Theological German course in the mornings and two three-week courses in English, in the afternoon.
Eligibility
Current CSTM students should reach out to Marcia Ryan (marcia.ryan@bc.edu).
Summer Classes 2024
German for Theologians is a six week course that will introduce German grammar, syntax, and vocabulary at an elementary level enabling the participants to read, understand, and translate theological and religious studies texts.
Living in aestheticized cultures requires skills of critical perception informed by relevant theories. While reality has always been more than “hard facts” – both religion(s) and art bear witness to that – contemporary technological possibilities have ‘augmented’ reality and are raising questions about who we are as human beings. The course will cover text in art history and theology in an exemplary manner related to the local art and architecture. Central theological themes such as anthropology, soteriology, grace, etc. will be critically correlated with themes in art and technology.
The course will be offered as an interdisciplinary workshop where theologians, art historians, and philosophers will engage in lectures and discussions with each other and students. Excursions will bea central part of this course. This is a 3 week course.
This course will investigate critical theological aspects of witnessing against the historical background of Upper Austria’s 1930’s and 40’s. In doing so, students will come face-to-face with one of the darkest periods in human history. In such a context, the course will introduce students to one of theregion’s most outstanding witness, Franz Jaegerstaetter (1907-1943). It will be taught in an interdisciplinary manner by both historians and theologians. Excursions to historic sites as well as the engagement with family members of Jaegerstaetter and other Christian witnesses will play a central role in this course. The Jaegerstaetter Institute is located at KU, Linz.
About KUL
KUL is the only private, Catholic university in Upper Austria, with a student body of 400. The campus is located within walking distance of the picturesque center of Linz, a city of more than 200.000 people. The city is a mix of contemporary retail stores among the charming stone walkways, Baroque architecture, medieval churches and traditional Austrian cafes. KUL was founded in 1672, and the first to be accredited as Private University in the year 2000. The three main areas of graduate degree awards: theology, philosophy and art in religion. Linz is looking to internationalize by bringing students from abroad to KUL. Many Linz students matriculate during the week and return home on the weekends to rural areas.
Living in Linz
The accommodations that will be provided for CSTM summer session students are generous. The seminary across the courtyard from the school has all the amenities one would need for a comfortable six weeks abroad. Each room is similar to a college dorm room with a bed, desk, storage area, but with slightly more space. Breakfast is included in the cost of the stay and held in an attractive dining room, Monday-Friday. There are four floors in the building designated for seminarians, administration, the Jägerstätter Institute, chapel and one floor for visiting students and faculty. A kitchen is available for weeknight dinners that students will be responsible to provide for themselves. For those who prefer a quick meal out, there are plenty of options within walking distance. A washer and dryer area is available at a modest cost.
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria (one out of nine states altogether). The population of the city is about 200,000. Linz is also located 10 miles from the Czech border, and within reasonable distance of the borders of Italy and Germany for students wishing to explore outside of Austria. KUL is accessible via train from the Vienna airport. The train ride is just under 1.5 hours from Vienna. The train also makes weekend excursions to various parts of Austria simple and affordable. Linz is best known for its high-tech innovations as well as its contemporary art scene coming together in a unique way in the Ars Electronica Center (www.aec.at/news/en/).
