TRS5442 - Catholic Social Teaching

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Interpret chosen Catholic Social Teachings and analyse their application to contemporary issues.
Demonstrate the relevance of Catholic Social Teaching in assessing moral issues.
Construct and propose new ways of using Catholic Social Teaching both inside and outside of the Church.
Appraise the key principles that are central to Catholic Social Thought.
Compose a critical argument which demonstrates the significance of CST for the Church and beyond.

Content:

This module will introduce students to a selection of documents that form part of the Catholic Church's social teachings. Students will read and interpret the documents, paying particular attention to how key themes that run through them - such as the dignity of the human person, the common good, the preferential option for the poor, subsidiarity and solidarity. The application of these principles to contemporary moral issues is a key objective of the module as students will not only learn to contextualise the document and when it was written but they will also attempt to say how it might be relevant in a contemporary context.

Other key issues that will be discussed include; the role of conscience in the application of moral principles; the role of authority where conscience is also considered to be central; ascertaining why Catholic Social Teachings are considered to be the Church's 'best kept secret', and attempting to find ways of fostering dialogue with 'all persons of goodwill'.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be taught in plenary sessions which will make use of a blend of teaching and learning methods. These will normally include: lecture-style presentations by the tutor or visiting lecturers; seminar-style discussion of a particular topic; prepared presentations by students, followed by discussion; other exercises as appropriate to material and group. The main pedagogical approach will be student-led enquiry. Guidance on reading in preparation for each session and activity will be given; and learning will be supported where appropriate by VLE and other electronic resources. Guidance on research and essay-writing will be embedded in the learning and teaching process throughout the module; and may also be supported by tutorial guidance on essay plans and feedback on submitted work.

Lectures:
Contact hours: 16
Group size: Cohort

Seminars and workshops:
Contact hours: 16
Intended Group size: Cohort

Guided independent study:
Hours: 168

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Ann Marie Mealey
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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