Catholic Social Thought in Action Academy Featured in Scholarly Publication  

Three Seton Hall faculty members have published a journal article featuring an innovative University initiative: The Catholic Social Thought (CST) in Action Academy.

The article, authored by Dawn Apgar, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice; Ines A. Murzaku, Ph.D., professor, Department of Religion, director, Catholic Studies Program; and Anthony Nicotera, J.D., D.S.W., assistant professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, appears in the current issue of the Journal of Vincentian Social Action, published at St. John’s University.

In the article, "Centering those on the periphery: Mother Teresa as exemplar of Catholic Social Thought (CST) and social work core commitments to dignity, service, and justice," Apgar, Murzaku, and Nicotera use Mother Teresa as an exemplar to show how the CST in Action Academy integrates the disciplines of Catholic Studies and Social Work in an innovative interdisciplinary program that advocates for those on the periphery—namely, those who are marginalized, vulnerable, and oppressed.

The CST in Action Academy was established in November 2021 through the Provost’s Office and the Office of Grants and Research Services Innovation Challenge Grant to deepen research. The work of the academy has been highlighted at both national and international conferences. The academy has been held up as a model for interdisciplinary programs that include service-learning components at Catholic universities worldwide.

The article appears in a special issue of the journal, edited by Basilio Monteiro, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for International Communication at St. John's University, and is dedicated to the principle of servant leadership. It is servant leadership that motivates the CST in Action Academy’s work to promote the dignity of all.

Categories: Education, Faith and Service, Research