Catholic Social Teaching in Action (DT9041C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 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: DT9041C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Moral Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate a developed appreciation of the major themes and key principles of Catholic Social Teaching
2.

Articulate a competent and critical understanding of the significant developments in the Catholic social justice tradition as presented in Magisterial teaching
3.

Critically assess the effectiveness of the social mission of the Church
4.

Apply the traditional theological sources to contemporary and historical justice issues
5.

Develop specific research topics in a sustained and self-directed manner

Unit sequence

Prohibited combinations: DT9040C.

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 20.0
Essay

5000 word essay

 5000 60.0
Oral Examination

15 minute oral exam (1000 words equivalent)

 1000 20.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2022-08-16 17:25:14 +1000