About

Summer 2025 Topic: Catholic Social Teaching

Instructor: Will Wright, MA Theology

A college level course for audit, continuing education hours, credit from the University of Mary, or just your personal enrichment!

In-person or via distance (Zoom), with additional recorded lectures.

Join us for a broad study of general Church teaching on social questions with strong emphasis on the papal encyclicals and other Church documents. Major issues explored: poverty and the distribution of wealth, prejudice and racism, war and peace, criminal justice, the Gospel and the State, and international community, and business ethics.

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Last Summer the 2024 topic was Christian Spirituality - taught by Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski and Rae-Mi LeRoy, MA.

Overview

ICT 104: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Course Description:

A broad study of general Church teaching on social questions with strong emphasis on the papal encyclicals and other Church documents.  Major issues explored are poverty and the distribution of wealth, prejudice and racism, war and peace, the Gospel and the State, the family and local communities, and international community and business ethics.

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The course is designed for various levels of engagement - so you can dive as deep as you would like to!

Explore: Introduces the essential concepts of the subject. 

- The four in person lectures will cover the essential concepts of Catholic Social Teaching.

Enrich: Broadens the understanding to include theological, historical, and practical implications.

- The four Saturday Zoom sessions are optional for those auditing but will enrich what we covered on the previous Monday night.

Engage: Encourages deeper interaction with the material through critical thinking and connections.

- All registered students (audit or credit) will receive access online to additional pre-recorded lectures, resources, and readings to further engage with Catholic Social Teaching.

Schedule / Locations

Monday evenings

- June 2, 9, 16, and 23

- in person at St. Thomas the Apostle or via Zoom

Saturday mornings

- June 7, 14, 21, and 28

- only via Zoom

The course will be a hybrid of live (either in-person or via zoom video conferencing) and pre-recorded classes and resources.

In case students cannot participate live, all sessions will be recorded for later playback.


Lesson 1: THE LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

- Monday, June 2 - at St. Thomas the Apostle - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

- Saturday, June 7 - Zoom only - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (optional for those auditing)

Lesson 2: KEY CONCEPTS IN CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

- Monday, June 9 - at St. Thomas the Apostle - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (ALL students)

- Saturday, June 14 - Zoom only - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (optional for those auditing)

Lesson 3: THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN SOCIETY

- Monday, June 16 - at St. Thomas the Apostle - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (ALL students)

- Saturday, June 21 - Zoom only - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (optional for those auditing)

Lesson 4: CATHOLIC UNDERSTANDING OF WORK AND STEWARDSHIP

- Monday, June 23 - at St. Thomas the Apostle - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (ALL students)

- Saturday, June 28 - Zoom only - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (optional for those auditing)


Date Time Location
Mon, June 2 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. St. Thomas the Apostle, Phoenix or Zoom
Sat, Jun 7 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Only via Zoom
Mon, June 9
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
St. Thomas the Apostle, Phoenix or Zoom
Sat, Jun 14
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Only via Zoom
Mon, June 16
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
St. Thomas the Apostle, Phoenix or Zoom
Sat, Jun 21
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Only via Zoom
Mon, June 23
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
St. Thomas the Apostle, Phoenix or Zoom
Sat, Jun 28
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Only via Zoom




Instructors

ICT Fellow Will Wright, MA

Will Wright lives in Phoenix with his wife and sons and is a History and Religion Teacher at St. John Paul II Catholic High School. He is an adjunct instructor and Institute Fellow with the Institute of Catholic Theology in Phoenix and an instructor at the Kino Catechetical Institute. He is also a regular author for the website Catholic-Link English, many of his articles have been featured on “The Best of Catholic Blogging” column on the National Catholic Register website, and has been published with Adoremus Bulletin and SpiritualDirection.com. Will earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds a dual course of study Master’s Degree in Catechetics & Evangelization and Theology & Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is currently enrolled with Pontifex University and working towards a Doctorate in Theology (ThD).

Tuition

Auditing the course is $150.

The ICT offers the optional opportunity to work towards a Foundational Certificate in Catholic Theology and credits from the University of Mary.

Students doing homework towards the ICT's Foundational Certificate in Catholic Theology will pay an additional:

- $300

- $150 for Current High School Upperclassmen / College / University Students

Application and payment information will be available after logging into the course.

Students doing homework must register for the course no later than 10 days after the first class.

To receive college credit, an additional charge of $150 per student will be made directly to the University of Mary. Details will be made available at the start of the course. Be sure to check with your college regarding the acceptance of these credits.

For More Information

Email Dr. Eric Westby at [email protected].