PG 713 “Good Politics”, Pope Francis, and the Common Good

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Module Level

9 (postgraduate), MTh, STL, PhD

Time Allowance

Wednesday 4-6pm, Semester One.

Module Aims

Aims: To examine the social and political vision of Pope Francis, with particular focus on the idea of “good politics” as found in Fratelli Tutti, and consider the factors that contribute to, or work against, such a vision. Included here will be the impact of poverty and social inequality on strong democracy, the ways in which identity can affect social inclusion, and the importance of “critical citizenship”.

Students will be expected to evaluate Francis’ social documents, as well as engage with the thinking of leading commentators in this area.

Indicative Syllabus:

  • The Christian concept of the common good and how it underpins Francis’ social teaching.
  • The contributions of leading experts to the debate such as Hollenbach, Sandel, and Riordan.
  • Civic virtue, “critical citizenship”, and the common good.
  • Inequality, justice and political participation
  • Identity and the common good
  • Intellectual solidarity and “good politics”

Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of this seminar course, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and political vision of Pope Francis and how this enriches the Christian notion of the common good.

Bibliography

  • Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 2020.
  • David Hollenbach, The Common Good and Christian Ethics, (Cambridge, CUP, 2002).
  • ______________ , The Global Face of Public Faith, (Washington : Georgetown University Press, 2003).
  • Jacques Maritan, The Person and the Common Good, (University of Notre Dame Press, 1973).
  • Ethna Regan, Theology and the Boundary Discourse of Human Rights, (Washington : Georgetown University Press, 2010).
  • Patrick Riordan, A Grammer of the Common Good : Speaking of Globalization, (London : Continuum, 2008).
  • Michael Sandel, Justice : What’s the Right Thing To Do ? (New York : Farrer Straus and Giroux, 2009).
  • ___________, The Tyranny of Merit : What’s Become of the Common Good ? (London : Penguin Books, 2020).