Description
Pope John Paul II wrote that Catholic social doctrine “belongs to the field, not of ideology, but of theology and particularly of moral theology” (Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 41). This course will approach the tradition of social doctrine from a theological and historical vantage point. Students will gain familiarity with pivotal documents within that tradition, will grasp the philosophical principles underlying social doctrine, and will engage developments in social
doctrine from its origins to the present day. The course will situate doctrina socialis within sacra doctrina and draw connections between social doctrine, fundamental moral theology, and virtue ethics. Additionally, students will learn how to critically engage with concrete social and political questions from the basis of their knowledge of social doctrine’s principles, purposes, and history. (3 credits)