STRATEGIC GOALS                 

• To integrate the Catholic social justice vision into the life and thought of the University

• To expand the role of Duquesne University as public forum of social justice issues

• To build resources for research and scholarship

To Integrate the Catholic Social Justice Vision into the Life

and Thought of the University

           The Center embodies the University mission statement of what it means to be a Catholic university in the Spiritan tradition. The goal of the Center is to integrate the Catholic social justice vision into the thought and life of the University, permeating it like a leaven, reaching to its very heart, affecting administration, faculty, students, and staff.

1.  Sponsoring lectures/conferences with contemporary social justice issues related to the various fields of academic expertise of different Schools/ Departments/Centers

            The goal of the Center in integrating itself into the thought and life of the University is realized by sponsoring lectures/conferences with contemporary social justice issues, related to the various fields of academic expertise of different schools, departments, and centers. The Center envisions creating an impact on the academic vision of the University by promoting the dialogue of Catholic Social Thought and the various academic disciplines in addressing national/global social justice issues. The Center’s lectures and conferences show the wide range of issues it addressed in collaboration with different schools/departments/and centers.        

2.  Granting faculty research awards and student article awards which promote the wisdom and heritage of Catholic social thought as religio-ethical resource in addressing social justice issues studied from the critical lens of various academic disciplines:

Paluse Research Award:  From an endowment funded by a gift from the late Fr. Richard V. Paluse, these awards are granted in support of the mission of the Center for the Study of Catholic Social Thought in fostering research in social justice issues through the critical lens of various academic disciplines, and interfaced/integrated with a study of Catholic Social Thought. Up to four awards of five thousand dollars each is granted annually.    

Graduate and Undergraduate Article Awards: Envisioned to form students into citizens of the world with a faith vision, these awards create opportunities for them to do serious thinking and writing on global social justice issues based on the data of various academic disciplines and from the perspective of Catholic Social Thought. These awards are developed around the themes of the Center’s annual conferences and lectures.    

3.   Faculty Program of Study on Catholic Social Thought and Global Social Justice Issues

The program of study aims to introduce the faculty to the rich tradition of Catholic Social Thought as a vital and progressive body of thought with an enduring message which can be brought into dialogue with other systems of thought and world view.  The legitimacy and validity of Catholic Social Thought is opened to dialogue with various disciplines, resulting in the enrichment of multi-levels of study and inquiry on social justice issues.  The ultimate objective is that faculty attendees will integrate Catholic Social Thought into their courses and will incorporate it into their research and scholarship.

                        To Expand the Role of Duquesne University as a Public Forum

                                                    for Social Justice Issues

The vision of this second strategic goal is for Duquesne University to take a lead in regional and national arenas, bringing social justice issues to the forefront of policy and scholarship, with the hopes of gaining benefits for marginalized people.  Engaging the participation of academe, advocacy groups, civil groups, religious and church groups, and all concerned citizens, and networking with other institutions with similar vision and goals, the Center creates a public forum in line with the University’s commitment to social justice.

To Build Resources for Research and Scholarship

As a study and research based institution, the Center builds its resources for research and scholarship. It provides annotated readings for conferences/lectures for the use of classes and for undergraduate/graduate student awards. The Center also provides annotated selected bibliography of books and articles on Catholic Social Thought and related social justice issues made available on the Center’s website and offered as resource for Paluse faculty research.  A survey has been conducted on the areas of research of faculty, the results of which are to be used as a tool for the Center’s research endeavors. All of the Center’s events and other programs are documented and archived and made available on the website: www.duq.edu/cst.