Character and Assessment of Learning for Religious Vocation: Interview Study of Roman Catholic Students and Faculty

Abstract

This interview study with nearly fifty seminary students and fifty faculty members examines how selected characteristics of students contribute to or detract from the attainment of educational goals during theological studies. Our hypothesis was that the religious backgrounds of students, especially their understanding of' the nature of authority and their personal religious experiences, would impact how and what they would learn about theology and ministry. We found that their religious backgrounds powerfully shape their studies and their notions of ministry.