DESCRIPTION

Is polluting our environment done for the common good?

Does perpetuating discrimination respect the dignity of the individual?

These are just two examples of the many real challenges we face as individuals functioning as members of our community. They highlight the fact that as humans, we are all individuals, and yet none of us lives in isolation. The African concept of ‘ubuntu' is helpful here: I am what I am, because of who we are - this concept is consistent with the principles of Catholic social thought. Understanding these principles helps us to determine how issues relating to the dignity of the human person and the realization of the common good may be addressed in our personal and professional lives now and in the future. This knowledge and understanding is a foundation for the development of the skills needed to be able to propose ways to address challenges where shared responsibility for the common good is not being realized. Given the pervasiveness of such problems in our community, addressing this need is important to our success as a community in realizing a more just world - and your role as an individual who can, and must, be part of that.
Therefore, this unit will aim to equip you with knowledge and understanding of the ideas of "self" and "community" as interrelated concepts, and develop basic skills to enable you to contribute to a more just society.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Describe coherently in writing the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST), and through a personal written commentary on each one, explain how the concepts of 'self' and 'community' are interrelated.
2. Analyse and evaluate the principles of CST in order to write an argument that shows how issues relating to the dignity of the human person and the realisation of the common good may be addressed by you in your professional practice (ie. the degree program you are studying) now and in the future.

On successful completion of this unit, you should have developed your ability to:
GA1 demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity GA2 recognise your responsibility to the common good, the environment and society GA4 think critically and reflectively
GA7 work both autonomously and collaboratively
GA8 locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA 9 demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media

These are CST Principles:- 1) Human dignity and respect
2) Common good
3) Subsidiarity
4)Promotion of peace
5)Option for poor and vulnerable
6)Solidarity
7)Stewardship of creation
8)Participation
9)Universal purpose of good

CONTENT
Topics will include:
- The Good Life and the Golden Rule
- I am because we are; individual and society
- The history and principles of Catholic social thought
- Human flourishing and the common good
- The common good
- Case study - Challenges to the common good - freedoms and the common good
- Advocacy: personal and professional challenges of Catholic social teaching

Assignment 1
Your assessment is to:
(Feature article)
Choose 3-5 principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST),
1) state, define and describe these coherently; and
2) explain how each principle helps us to understand the interrelationship between "self" and "community".
What are you being assessed on?
Assessment No.1 is designed to assess the first intended learning outcome, namely:

1. Describe coherently in writing the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST), and through a personal written commentary, explain that the concepts of 'self' and 'community' are interrelated.