Abstract: This is a study about the impact of a Central Visayan University in the Philippines to the religious practice and spirituality of college students. Within its academic training and its community, culture, and life, the university offers curricula and varied campus activities meant to deepen the religious and spiritual aspects of its college students. This paper seeks to identify how these academic and campus programs make an impact on the religious and spiritual component of the whole-person development that is the vision of the university. A survey was made through cluster sampling of students taking up the required religion classes in the first semester of 2015-16, with 427 students responding to the challenge. From the responses to the provided 5-page questionnaires, the results were gathered and analyzed. Also included are 39 members of the faculty and staff who are employed in the student affairs section of the university. The results revealed that academic courses in religion and campus programs meant for the nurturance of the students’ life of faith answer the spiritual quest of the young people who attend the university. It is hoped that this paper can help the relevant persons and offices of the university to examine the effectiveness of the programs, both academic and community, geared towards religion and spirituality in order to better assist the full development of college students. The research is not an exhaustive attempt and thus can inspire further explorations on related areas and concepts. These explorations are in fact, highly recommended.
Keywords: Religion, spirituality, whole-person development, community, academics.
Title: Maturing in Faith: Exploring the Impact of a Central Visayan University on the Growth in Religious Practice and Spirituality of College Students
Author: Ramil R. Marcos
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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