Ethics and Society in Catholic Traditions

Module Description:

This module examines the modern tradition of Catholic social thought. It has a dual focus, namely, on the social encyclicals of different pontiffs in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and on the diverse theological traditions of interpretation in different historical, cultural and geographical contexts. Key concepts including solidarity, subsidiarity and common good will be considered through the lens of these texts and the interpretative traditions. Theological analyses of, and responses to, specific social and political issues will be assessed.  Among the issues that will be considered will be: religious liberty, economic justice, war and political conflict.

Indicative Bibliography:

Aquino, M., Machado, D., and Rodriguez, M., A Reader in Latina Feminist Theology, Religion and Justice (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2002).
Dorr D., Option for the Poor: A Hundred Years of Catholic Social Teaching, (New York: Orbis, 2001).
Himes K., Cahill, L., Curran, C., Hollenbach, D. (eds.), Modern Catholic Social Teaching: Commentaries and Interpretation (Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2004).
Hogan, L., Applied Ethics in a World Church (New York: Orbis Press, 2010).
Hornsby-Smith, M.P., An Introduction to Catholic Social Thought (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006).
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (Dublin: Veritas, 2005).

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Analyse the evolution of Catholic social thought in its different contexts.
• Explain how the social encyclicals of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries relate to the context of their composition.
• Evaluate key concepts such as the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity.
• Assess the contribution of Catholic social thought to specific debates on social and political issues

Methods of Assessment and Student Workload:

Annual examination and essay.