Full course description
Partner dioceses receive discounted courses. This link provides a list of partner dioceses and discount codes to use when registering.
This pastoral theology course serves as an introduction to Catholic Social Teaching and to practical methods for participating in social ministry in the Church today. Through participation in the course, students will be able to identify basic principles of Catholic Social Teaching drawn from Scripture and magisterial documents, apply these principles to activity for justice in their parish and local communities, and differentiate between social justice and charitable works.
Course Content
Unit 1: Introduction to Social Ministry and Catholic Social Teaching
Unit 2: Putting the Teaching to Practice: The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Unit 3: Social Analysis: Putting Catholic Social Teaching to Work
Unit 4: Political Responsibility: Faithful Citizenship
Unit 5: Addressing Global Poverty
Course Format
- Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
- Up to 20 students in each course.
- Video lectures with text transcripts available.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
- Written assignments (200-250) required.
- Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.
Participation Requirements
- View or read the lecture for each unit.
- Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
- Answer weekly discussion question.
- Respond to weekly unit assignment.
- Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
- Complete the course evaluation.
Time Expectations
3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.
Course Certificate
An electronic certificate of completion awarding 30 contact hours will be available in course when completing all course requirements.
Area: Christian Life