Poverty in the U.S. and Around the World

Course Summary

This is an ADVANCED level course and should not be attempted without sufficient grounding in the basics of the Catholic faith.

While this course analyzes some of the conditions, causes and trends of poverty in the United States and abroad, the primary focus attempts to explore these dimensions and responses to poverty through the theological lens of Catholic Social Teaching. In addition, particular emphasis and analysis will be given to two contemporary issues: immigration and economic justice. Central to the course is the idea of praxis: online discussion, readings, written reflection and a service component offer a greater depth of understand of the broader structures within which poverty persists, and opportunity for both social analysis and theological reflection that leads to a faith response rooted in justice and love.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.

General Course Objectives

• Students are able to identify structures that contribute to global poverty.
• Students are able to explain scriptural foundations in the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church that relate to the poor.
• Students are able to demonstrate the necessity of recognizing those living in poverty as subjects and neighbors.
• Students are able to explain the importance of the dignity of work and moral agency.
• Students are able to share the necessity of devoting time to the poor.

Course Materials

• Required Book: Kammer, Fred, SJ. Required Readings: Textbook, e-articles, videos, power points, etc.: $19.95 Mahweh, NJ: Paulist Press. 2004. ISBN 0809142279

  • All of the readings and videos for this course are available online. The required readings/videos are listed in order of use by session. There is no primary textbook for this course.

Course Structure and Highlights

• Week 1: Recognizing Extreme Poverty

  • Become familiar with the causes of global poverty due to sinful structures and extreme inequalities.

• Week 2: Recognizing our Neighbors

  • Gain an overview of scriptural references that form the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church as it relates to poverty.

• Week 3: Love for the Poor

  • Recognize the poor as subjects rather than objects in order to embrace those struggling with poverty as neighbors.

• Week 4: Human Dignity, Solidarity, Subsidiarity

  • Become familiar with the aspects of Catholic Social teaching that relate to global poverty.

• Week 5: A Spiritual Reflection Leading to A Response

  • Review key learnings that bridge Good Samaritan reflections from Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV: Fratelli Tutti and Dilexi Te, as a way forward.

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