CULTURAL EVENTS

The ACS Cultural Events requirement and ACSP's own ACS Concert Series are inspired by St. Augustine’s desire to seek wisdom and insight with “heart and voice and pen” in community. ACS events seek to bring us out of the seminar room onto campus and out into the wider world.

From inspiring lectures by prominent figures to thrilling moments in music and storytelling, ACSP events and programs give special consideration to the Catholic traditions of humanity, solidarity and common good, while providing a forum to share the experiences and stories that make us all so different and yet bring all of us together. 

CULTURAL EVENT REQUIREMENT

All students taking the Augustine and Culture Seminar must attend three or more cultural events per semester and successfully reflect on the event, either through written work or class discussion. This requirement of the seminar program receives course credit.  

Departments, programs, and offices in every discipline across the University, as well as student groups, host these cultural events — from workshops on navigating social life at Villanova, to academic lectures, to student-organized discussions. Events might also include performances, films, and art exhibits. Related to high-impact first-year practices that emphasize real-world settings and integrative learning opportunities (Kuh, 2008), these experiences aim to demonstrate that learning is not confined to the classroom. ACS-approved events take intellectual and interpersonal dialogue outside the classroom to expand student learning creatively through different venues, whether on or off campus. 

To make the process of identifying events easy and accessible for faculty and students, ACSP has a cultural event submission and approval process. 

University organizations may submit an event approval form. Questions? Contact Caehlin Bell, Event Planning and Communications Assistant, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program. 

How do I get an event approved?

Event organizers can seek the "ACS Approved" designation for their events by contacting Caehlin Bell or submitting the event approval form on the ACS website.

ACS Approved events must meet three criteria: be free to ACS students; be in-person on campus; and promote cultural and community engagement.  

Are there any restrictions on the type of events approved? 

Yes, the ACS Event Policy requires that approved events do not include fees. ACS approval is intended for students to go to an event to gain academic credit and expand their learning and sense of community. We do not want to add to their financial burden when they already pay for the class.  

Additionally, volunteer and religious activities are excluded, as students should choose to participate in those events without the expectation of receiving course credit.

What does “ACS Approved” mean? Do you advertise my event?

“ACS Approved” does not mean ACS endorsed. It simply means the event may be considered for the seminar event requirement. ACSP does sponsor an annual concert series and co-sponsors a few select events each semester. 

Sponsoring organizations are responsible for advertising their events. ACSP maintains an Instagram account and if provided with a graphic, can share the approved events there.

Are ACS Approved events the only events students can receive credit for? 

Students who wish to attend an event that is not "ACS Approved" can request permission on an individual basis from their professors to use the event for ACS credit. Professors may also require or approve events or activities outside of the ACS Approved list that they feel suit their class aims.

ACS CONCERT SERIES

The goal of the ACS Concert Series is to bring high-quality professional musicians to our campus to introduce our students to live performances from a diverse array of musical traditions. The Concert Series is integrally tied to the Cultural Event requirement of the ACS Seminar experience and provides musical performances distinctly different from those that our on-campus student groups typically offer. Past performances have featured groups such as St. Thomas Gospel Choir, Vox Ama Deus, Magdaliz Roura and her Latin Ensemble Crisol, guest artists from the Curtis Institute, and the Temple Graduate Jazz Ensemble among many others.

St Augustine Ctr Liberal Arts Rm 103
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

Director
Gregory Hoskins, PhD

Senior Administrative Assistant
Kimberly T Coleman



CIVITAS THROUGH CARITAS

Civitas through Caritas: Cultivating Love, Cultivating Citizens is a summer program for rising high school seniors in the greater Philadelphia area.