About the Concentration
The new Concentration in Global Development and Social
Justice represents an innovative partnership between St. John’s
University, one of the largest Catholic universities in the United
States, and Caritas of
Rome, which is part of a worldwide network of Roman Catholic
relief, development, and social service agencies, and also with the
Idente Foundation. This
new concentration at St. John’s is under the administrative
auspices of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, an
interdisciplinary degree program designed especially for working
professionals, with special attention to the talents and
experiences, the needs and learning styles of adult learners.
In his
first Encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, “God is Love,” Pope
Benedict XVI wrote:
Today the means of mass
communication have made our planet smaller, rapidly narrowing the
distance between different peoples and cultures. This
“togetherness” at times gives rise to misunderstandings and
tensions, yet our ability to know almost instantly about the needs
of others challenges us to share their situation and their
difficulties. (Deus Caritas Est 30)
This Master’s Level Concentration in Global Development and
Social Justice places the impressive information technology
resources of St. John’s University (ranked by Intel as one of the
top ten unwired colleges) at the service of the Church’s mission to
advance sustainable global development and social justice. As
Pope Benedict XVI writes:
Individuals who care for those in need must first be
professionally competent: they should be properly trained in what
to do and how to do it, and committed to continuing care. Yet,
while professional competence is a primary, fundamental
requirement, it is not of itself sufficient. We are dealing with
human beings, and human beings always need something more than
technically proper care. They need humanity. They need heartfelt
concern. Those who work for the Church's charitable organizations
must be distinguished by the fact that they do not merely meet the
needs of the moment, but they dedicate themselves to others with
heartfelt concern, enabling them to experience the richness of
their humanity. (Deus Caritas Est 31)
The Concentration in Global Development and Social Justice is
among the innovative ways in which St. John’s is putting into
practice the affirmation found in the University’s Vision
Statement: “As a Catholic and Vincentian university, we will be
known worldwide for addressing issues of poverty and social
justice.”
Department Contact
Rev. Jean-Pierre Ruiz, S.T.D.
Director, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
Phone (718) 990-1393
Fax (718) 990-5726
ruizj@stjohns.edu
Graduate Admission Information
Office of Graduate Admission
(718) 990-1601
gradhelp@stjohns.edu
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