Catholic Social Teaching in Action (DT3041C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

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.

Unit code: DT3041C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Moral Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Present a critical description of the major themes and key principles of Catholic Social Teaching
2.

Critically analyse and evaluate the significant developments in the Catholic social justice tradition as presented in Magisterial teaching
3.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the social mission of the Church
4.

Exhibit an ability to expound a position with regard to a specific social issue in the light of Catholic Social Teaching

Unit sequence

Prerequisites: BA1001C, BN1001C, CT1100C, CT1110C or equivalent.

Prohibited combinations: DT2040C/3040C

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

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Seminar or Tutorial

1000 word seminar paper

 1000 25.0
Essay

3000 word essay

 3000 50.0
Oral Examination

15 minute oral exam (1000 words)

 1000 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 16 Aug, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-08-16 17:23:36 +1000