TH 581 - Catholic Social Teaching

This course is offered online as part of the Theology curriculum with monthly start dates. 

It will also be offered during the 2017 summer session with an on campus component.

Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:

• Define Catholic social thought and its sources within the Roman Catholic tradition.
• Summarize the seven themes within Catholic social thought as described by the USCCB.
• Compare the origins of Catholic social thought within the papal thoughts of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
• Develop an understanding of several prominent papal encyclicals that have contributed to Catholic social teachings.
• Assess contemporary controversial issues that involve Catholic social thought and American culture, such as abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, and immigration, among others.
• Discuss the role and influence of Catholic social thought on public policy issues, such as health care provisions, military interventions, the economy, etc.
• Discuss the USCCB’s voice in all these matters.