Content

This unit probes contemporary justice issues from the perspective of Moral Theology. A theological examination of justice draws on relevant biblical texts and writings of St Thomas Aquinas. The virtue of justice and its allied virtues are considered in some detail. An introduction to Catholic Social Teaching over the last 140 years is provided highlighting its theological foundation. From this perspective specific issues are addressed. The specific issues will be topical and may include: poverty, racism, peace, the just war tradition, social justice and liturgical prayer, property ownership, work, wages, and leisure.

Unit code: DT9040C

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

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an appreciation of the biblical sources as the foundation for Catholic teaching on the virtues.

2.

Explain the importance of Thomistic sources for a Catholic understanding of the virtue of justice.

3.

Articulate a competent and critical understanding of the history and development of Magisterial teaching on Justice issues.

4.

Apply the traditional theological sources to contemporary and historical Justice issues.

5.

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

Pedagogy

Lectures, Tutorials, Seminars

Indicative Bibliography

  • Benedict XVI. Caritas in Veritate. Encyclical Letter. 2009.
  • Francis. Laudato Sì. Encyclical Letter. 2015.
  • Benestad, J. Brian. Church, State and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine. Catholic Moral Thought. Washington, DC: 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, NY: Orbis, 2004.
  • Houston, Walter J., Contending for Justice: Ideologies and Theologies of Social Justice in the Old Testament. London: T & T Clark, 2008.
  • Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. 2004.
  • McOustra, Christopher. Love in the Economy: Catholic Social Doctrine for the Individual. Slough: St. Paul’s, 2000.
  • Pieper, Josef. The Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2003.
  • Schubeck, Thomas L., Love that does Justice. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2007
  • Scott, Margaret, The Eucharist and Social Justice. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2009.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Seminar or Tutorial

1000-word seminar paper

1000 25.0
Essay 4000 50.0
Intertextual Study 2000 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 22 Jul, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000