About The Institute for Advanced Catholic StudiesAbout the Institute | Five Foundation Principles | Board of Trustees | Academic Advisory Council | Associates | Affiliates | Need and Benefits |
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Mission:The Institute conducts research on key issues facing society to help move the Church thoughtfully into the 21st Century. Ignorance of religions and their power leads to bigotry and prejudice, and sometimes leads, tragically, to violence. Rooted firmly in Catholic tradition and thought, and dedicated to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, the Institute meets critical needs in the world today. Aims:The Institute develops distinctive intellectual capital by studying the long and rich Catholic intellectual tradition. That tradition includes not only brilliant theologians and philosophers, but also scientists, social scientists, historians, poets, writers, artists, architects and musicians. The Institute promotes understanding, critiquing, and developing Catholic intellectual life for the service not only of the Church, but all religions, especially as it dedicates itself to the common good. Global Scholar Network:The Institute draws upon an international group of scholars, all of whom, whatever their religious background or scholarly discipline, seek to understand Catholicism and its value for the world today. Growing Impact:Institute scholars and their research, publications, conferences and articles are internationally recognized as thoughtful contributors to the understanding, clarification and resolution of major issues facing the Church, religions and global society. Lecture Series:Since 2007,the Institute has organized a lecture series at USC which provides a venue for examining religion and public life through the reflections of scholars, journalists, artists, and leaders. Supported by a generous gift from Robert and Elizabeth Plumleigh in 2009, this series has explored a wide range of topics, from religion and violence, to immigration policy, to Catholic political life.
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About the Institute
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 Community of Scholars:The Institute has created an international community of scholars whose research in various fields contributes to understanding the Catholic tradition, theology, philosophy, interreligious dialogue, international political and economic institutions, and ethical questions in modern life. These scholars are affiliated with the Institute in three primary ways. The Academic Advisory Council (AAC) provides consultative advice regarding the research priorities of the Institute and the design of various programs. Institute Associates are scholars who participate in the Generations in Dialogue Program for eighteen months. Upon completion of that program, these Mullin Scholars, named after Peter and Merle Mullin who have endowed this program, have an ongoing research relationship with the Institute. Institute Affiliates include the many scholars, from many disciplines, who have participated in programs organized and sponsored by the Institute.
Publications:The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies is proud to have a number of volumes published. For more information, please click here for MORE Catholicism and Interreligious Dialogue(Oxford University Press, October 2011)  Edited by James Heft, this volume features chapters by five Catholic scholars, each expert in another world religion, with responses from participants in those religions, followed by further comments from the Catholic scholar. Each chapter features an annotated bibliography for further study.
Catholic High Schools: Facing the New Realities(Oxford University Press, September 2011)  Written by James Heft, president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, this book confronts three major changes facing Catholic educators: the shift to primarily lay leadership and staffs, the change in the general culture to pervasive consumerism and therapeutic attitudes, and the power of the new social networks on adolescents.
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