The Virtue of Justice and
Catholic Social Teaching
|
DM205/305
|
This unit probes contemporary justice issues from the perspective of Moral Theology. The unit is divided into three parts. Firstly, a theological examination of the subject of justice draws on the relevant biblical texts and the works of St Thomas Aquinas. The virtue of justice and its allied virtues are dealt with in some detail. Secondly, an introduction to Catholic Social Teaching over the last 100+ years will be presented. The unit shows that this teaching draws on the theological foundation to address specific issues. Thirdly, these issues are dealt with in class, as seminars, or as essay topics. The specific issues are topical and may include: poverty, aboriginal issues, racism, peace, social justice and liturgical prayer, property ownership, work, wages, and leisure.
Undergraduate Prerequisites
DM106
Graduate and Postgraduate Prerequisites (DM305)
DM106 or DM350
Requirements
3 hours per week
Undergraduate Assessment
second level
|
one 1,500 word paper to be presented as a seminar |
30% |
|
one 2,500 word essay |
40% |
|
one 1 hour written examination |
30% |
| third level |
one 1,500 word paper to be presented as a seminar |
30% |
|
one 3,000 word essay |
40% |
|
one 1 hour written examination |
30% |
Graduate and Postgraduate Assessment (DM305)
| one 1,000 word seminar paper |
30% |
| one 3,000 word research essay |
40% |
| one 2,000 word text analysis |
30% |
Bibliography
- Australian Catholic Bishops’ Statements 1985–1995. 2 vols. Strathfield, NSW: St Paul’s, 1997.
- Benedict XVI. Caritas in veritate. Encyclical Letter. 2009.
- 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.
- Dorr, Donal. Option for the Poor: A Hundred Years of Vatican Social Teaching. Rev. ed. Melbourne: Collins Dove, 1992.
- Houston, Walter J., Contending for Justice: Ideologies and Theologies of Social Justice in the Old Testament. London: T. & T. Clark, 2008.
- 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.
- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. 2004.
- Schubeck, Thomas L. Love that does Justice. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2007
- Scott, Margaret. The Eucharist and Social Justice. Mahwah NJ: Paulist, 2009.
