Course Brochure

Application (pdf)

Application (doc)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The goals of the course are:

- to familiarise the participants with the issues and how the Catholic Church has called for responses. Participants will be required to do analysis of issues, engage critical thinking about the social situation and the role of the Church, and research the implementation of Catholic social tradition;

- to challenge the participants to consider their personal responsibility in addressing social issues and how they can integrate the Church’s social teaching into their spirituality, their daily lives, ministries and professions.

Course Format:

6 modules of 14hrs each
Each module would consist of either:
- 7 sessions of 2hrs each - or
- 4 sessions of 2hrs each and a Saturday (6hrs) - or
- a full weekend starting from Friday evening up to Sunday noon

Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 6.30 – 8.30p.m. at the Catholic Institute, Floriana

Textbook: Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Requirements:
1. Full attendance
2. The on time completion of written assignments (1000 words after each module)

Each topic would consist of:
- Definition of concepts
- Biblical Aspect
- Reference to Encyclicals and the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Case Studies
- Discussion

At the end of the two-year course certificates issued by the Centre for Faith and Justice and the Archdiocese Pastoral Formation Institute will be awarded to the participants who will satisfy the course requirements.

Fee: Lm10 (23.29 euros) per module

First Year
(2007-2008)

Module 1 – 14 hours 
Wednesdays – 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th November 2007
Saturday -  1st December 2007
      
I. The Nature of Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
a. What is CST, Where does CST come from, The Method of CST, Why the need to know about CST
b. The Church’s Mission
c. The Church’s evolving social message
d. Evangelization and CST

II. The Human Person
a. The Dignity of the Human Person
b. Freedom and Truth
c. The Social Nature of Man
d. Human Rights
e. Religious Freedom

III. The Family
a. The first Natural Society
b. Marriage, the Foundation of the Family
c. The Social Subjectivity of the Family
d. The Family as an Active Participant in Social Life
e. Society at the Service of the Family

Module II – 14 hrs
Wednesdays – 23rd, 30th January 2008, 13th, 20th, 27th February 2008, 5th, 12th March 2008

I. The Social Order
a. The Centrality of the Human Person
b. Society founded on Truth, Freedom and Justice
c. The Principle of Solidarity
d. The Principle of Subsidiarity
e. The Principle of the Common Good
f. Participation
g. Genuine Human Development
h. Social Sin

II. The Role of the State
a. Foundation and Purpose of the Political Community
b. Political Authority
c. The role of Government
d. Church and State
e. Democracy
f. The Political Community at the Service of Civil Society

Module III – 14hrs
Wednesdays – 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th April 2008
Saturday – 3rd May 2008

I. Human Work
a. The Nature of Work
b. The Dignity of Work
c. The Right to Work
d. The Rights of Workers
e. Solidarity among Workers

II. The Economy
a. The Universal Destination of Material Goods
b. Morality, Justice and the Economic Order
c. Private Initiative and Business Initiative
d. State Intervention and the Economy
e. Economism and Consumerism
f. Global Economy the International Community

Second Year
(2008-2009)

Module IV – 14hrs
Wednesdays – 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th November 2008
Saturday – 29th November 2008

I. The International Community
a. The Fundamental Rule of the International Community
b. Transnational and International Organizations
c. Immigration
d. Foreign Debt
e. Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions

II. The Environment
a. The Goodness of the Created Order
b. Environmental Problems
c. Environmental Stewardship

III. Peace
a. Peace through Justice
b. Issues of War and Peace
c. War and Conflict, Peace and Social Justice

Module V – 14 hrs
Wednesdays – 21st, 28th January 2009, 4th, 11th February 2009
Saturday – 21st February 2009

I. Reflection /Action Process
a. The Theory and Practice of Social Analysis
b. The Importance of Social Analysis
c. The Benefits of Social Analysis
d. A Model of Social Analysis
e. The Current Concern of the Church with Faith and Justice
f. Generating Relevant, Effective Gospel-based action

Module VI – 14 hrs
Weekend – Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2009

I. CST and the Commitment of the Lay Faithful
a. Political Responsibility (Faithful Citizenship)
b. Addressing Global Issues – Poverty, Warming etc.
c. Service in the various sectors of social life