Posted: April 30th, 2022
Catholic Universities in Australia: Engaging Students with Contemporary Social Issues
Catholic Universities in Australia: Engaging Students with Contemporary Social Issues
Catholic higher education institutions in Australia play an important role in thoughtfully engaging students with contemporary social issues. The Australian Catholic University (ACU) and University of Notre Dame Australia incorporate principles of Catholic social teaching into their curriculum and pedagogical approaches. This paper will examine how ACU and Notre Dame equip students to critically analyze and discuss social challenges in a way that promotes justice, human dignity and the common good.
ACU offers units that directly focus on contemporary issues through a social justice lens. The unit “SWTP632 Social Work, Policy and Society” examines the impact of policies on marginalized groups and aims to foster an understanding of human rights and social justice (Australian Catholic University, 2022). Students are encouraged to critically assess social policies and their real-world implications. Similarly, Notre Dame’s social work program incorporates assessments that require students to address challenges facing vulnerable communities (Catholic University, n.d.).
Both universities provide opportunities to apply learning to practical problems. ACU and Notre Dame connect students to organizations serving those in need through placements, clinics and community engagement initiatives (Australian Catholic University, 2021; Catholic University, n.d.). This experiential learning allows students to directly engage with social issues and consider different perspectives on promoting welfare.
Academic research is also used to inform discussion of contemporary issues. Scholars like Jacqueline Laughland-Booy have published on topics like perspectives on spirituality and implications for religious education, adding nuanced views to public debates (Laughland-Booy, 2010). Universities host open forums for respectful discussion on ethics, policies, economics and sustainability from the viewpoint of Catholic anthropology.
In conclusion, Catholic higher education institutions in Australia aim to form graduates committed to justice, compassion and social responsibility through approaches that respectfully engage students with the complexities of modern social challenges. Their focus on upholding human dignity and the common good equips individuals to meaningfully contribute to the public discourse on issues affecting society.
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