Catholic Social Teaching in Action (DT2041C)

Content

This unit examines the fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching and applies them to the moral challenges of the present day. A survey of the historical development of the Church’s teaching is provided. Drawing upon biblical and theological aspects of the tradition, the unit explores specific issues of a topical nature, including: wealth distribution, property ownership, unemployment, poverty, housing and homelessness, immigration, peace, war, and care for the environment.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisites: BS1001C, BS1002C, CT1000C, CT1001C.

Prohibited combinations: DT2040C/DT3040C.

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials, seminars

Indicative Bibliography

• Benedict XVI. Caritas in Veritate. Encyclical Letter. 2009.
• Benestad, J, Brian. Church, State and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine. Catholic Moral Thought. Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 2011.
• DeBerri, Edward P., James E. Hug, Peter J. Henriot, and Michael J. Schultheis. Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret. 4th ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2004.
• Francis. Laudato Si’. Encyclical Letter. 2016.
• Francis. Fratelli Tutti. Encyclical Letter. 2020.
• Himes, Kenneth, ed. Modern Catholic Social Teaching: Commentaries and Interpretations. Second edition. Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2017.
• Pieper, Josef. The Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2003.
• Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. 2004.
• Schubeck, Thomas L. Love That Does Justice. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2007.
• Scott, Margaret. The Eucharist and Social Justice. Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2009.

Assessment