"This program helped me learn about the rich intellectual Catholic tradition that has influenced modern thought—from 19th century encyclicals on economics and sociology, to the contemporary role of the Catholic Church in Uganda!"
Marco Izzia, 2022-23 CSPT Fellow
Apply for a fellowship using the form below.
Are you interested in learning about the Catholic Tradition? Want to know more about Catholic contributions to civilization in philosophy, political thought, literature, and law?
Catholic Social and Political Thought student fellows have access to a full range of CSPT programming, including reading groups, dinners and other small group discussions with visiting scholars, cultural excursions, and academic conferences. This program offers a unique opportunity for students to pursue academic interests related to knowledge and appreciation of Catholic heritage, including the exploration of Catholic social and political thought, history, law, religion, architecture, art, music, and literature, and to assist in building a program responsive to student interests.
The CSPT program allows students to conjoin their UW-Madison academic experience and projected career paths with Catholicism’s rich intellectual, moral and cultural heritage. Each year we select up to six CSPT Fellows to serve as leaders in the program, which offers a range of learning opportunities, including:
- UW Courses
- Public lecture series
- Research opportunities
- Reading groups
- Academic seminars
- Catholic cultural encounter trips
- Conferences
Student fellows will have the opportunity to converse with each other and other CSPT students, and to engage with scholars, intellectuals, and public figures studying and engaging with the Catholic tradition. Throughout the year, fellows are invited to help plan, promote, and participate in events designed to enhance their understanding of different aspects of the Catholic tradition and heritage, and to apply for national summer fellowships and other learning opportunities. Fellows are asked to commit to participating regularly in different CSPT events/learning opportunities, and to take leadership in at least one aspect of the program.
Apply by April 18th for a 2025-26 fellowship. All current UW-Madison undergraduates with sophomore standing and above, graduate, and professional school students in any program of study, from any religious or non-religious tradition, are invited to apply. Please direct questions to Professor Cecelia Klingele at cklingele@wisc.edu.