Ilana Blattner is a junior from Cass City, Michigan. She is a double major in Catholic Studies and Anthropology with a minor in Museum Studies.
What drew you to Catholic Studies?
Admittedly, I hadn't known it was an option for me at first. During my sophomore year, a few of my friends were going to take Professor Maguire's Catholicism and Literature course, so I joined them, and after that, I was hooked. I decided that very quarter to tack on a minor, and by the time I'd taken Catholic Experience III the following quarter, I made the leap to a major instead! The intellectual ways I have been able to approach my faith through Catholic Studies is endlessly fascinating to me and keeps me invested in the discipline.
What do you most enjoy about the department?
It really is the professors and the quality of education they offer. I have enjoyed every class I've taken in this major, and each professor I've had has made it all the more enjoyable. I can tell that the faculty are passionate about what they are teaching, and more than that, I feel valued as a student in the classroom. There are times in other types of courses where I just feel like a number, but the Catholic Studies faculty are warm, welcoming, funny, and so intentional in what they do.
What is your most memorable experience in the department? (It could be a class, CLC, Rome trip, etc)
My most memorable experience in the department would have to be my trip to Rome. Italy has been a country I'd longed to visit for a very long time, so to be able to do so while studying the art and architecture there was like a dream. Seeing Rome, Assisi, and taking myself to Florence produced countless memories that I'll treasure for a long time to come, and only furthered my passion for studying Catholic art and history. One of the most memorable moments for me was standing outside the tomb of Saint Peter and realizing that he was suddenly right in front of me and only separated by a few feet of stone. Thus, the trip was equally academically and spiritually enriching for me.
What advice would you give people considering majoring or minoring in CTH?
Do it! With the amount of liberal studies courses that cross-list, it is not as difficult as people may think. With careful planning and course selection, it's definitely possible, and totally worth it.
What do you plan to do after DePaul? How do you think CTH has helped prepare you for that?
After DePaul, I want to pursue a career in museum studies doing archival or curatorial work. (My dream job would be to eventually work in the Vatican museums!) I feel that my Catholic Studies education has given me a greater insight into specific periods of history, as well as how to intellectually engage with spiritual dialogues and concepts. This sort of understanding of Catholic history will be very helpful in analyzing works of art and artifacts in museums all around the world, and can be widely applied! Not every museum studies student can say that they have a Catholic Studies background, after all.