Catholic Social Teaching

This course builds on the foundation laid in Theology 301 ("Christian Morality") with a focus on the social teaching of the Church. Beginning with fundamental questions about the composition and purpose of society, the course examines the key contributions of the papal magisterium, from Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum through the present. The course then studies the essential themes and principles of Catholic Social Teaching and how they address the significant issues of the age.

Unit 1: Called to Community
This unit defines “society” and “community” and finds their basis in our identity as human persons made in the image of God. It also identifies misconceptions about Catholic Social Teaching.

Unit 2: Justice and Rights
This unit lays the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching by defining “justice” and seeing how justice requires the protection of basic human rights. It also turns to Scriptural examples of justice and rights. 

Unit 3: The History of Catholic Social Teaching
This unit surveys the development of Catholic Social Teaching, particularly in the last several hundred years since the Industrial Revolution. This unit examines the major documents of the Church’s magisterium related to Catholic Social Teaching, from Rerum Novarum to Pope Francis's Fratelli Tutti. 

Unit 4: Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
This unit considers the major principles of Catholic Social Teaching that have emerged from Sacred Tradition. In particular, it examines the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, and other important concepts. 

Unit 5: Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
This unit examines various themes of Catholic Social Teaching that have emerged from the principles discussed in Unit 4. This includes the role of the family, the dignity of work, the preferential option for the poor, and stewardship of creation.

Unit 6: Today’s Challenges
This unit applies the principles and themes of Catholic Social Teaching to specific issues of modern society. This includes economic justice, peacemaking, and addressing secularism, materialism, and utilitarianism.