The Just Enterprise Challenge: Living Catholic Social Teaching

Materials Needed:

• Computer with internet access
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Optional: Art supplies (markers, poster board) for the final project
• Resource 1: USCCB Page on The Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
• Resource 2: Short introductory video, such as "Catholic Social Teaching in 3 Minutes" by the Busted Halo channel on YouTube.

Lesson Plan

1. Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

• Identify and articulate the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in their own words.
• Analyze a real-world social or economic problem through the lens of CST principles.
• Create and present a plan for a hypothetical business or non-profit organization that applies at least three CST principles to solve that problem.
• Reflect on how CST can be applied to their own life as a consumer and citizen.

2. Lesson Structure & Activities

Part I: The Spark - Introduction (15 minutes)

Begin with a guided conversation to connect the topic to the student's daily life.

1. Opening Question: "Think about your favorite pair of shoes, your phone, or your favorite snack. Let's trace its journey. Where do you think it came from? Who made it? What kind of conditions do you think they worked in? Do you think they were paid a fair price for their work?"
2. Connect to Faith: "These questions about fairness, dignity, and taking care of our world aren't just economic or political questions. For over a century, the Catholic Church has been developing a rich tradition of thought on how to build a just society. We call this Catholic Social Teaching. It's like a moral compass for how we should interact with the world, not just as individuals, but as a whole community."
3. Set the Goal: "Today, we aren't just going to learn about these ideas; we're going to put them into action. You're going to become a social entrepreneur and design a company or organization that solves a real problem while living out these powerful Catholic values."

Part II: Building the Foundation - Exploration (45 minutes)

In this section, the student will independently engage with the core principles of CST.

1. Watch & Read: The student will first watch the short introductory video to get a quick, engaging overview. Then, they will read through the descriptions of the seven themes on the USCCB website (Resource 1).
2. Notebook Task - "Translate the Themes": In their notebook, the student should create a two-column chart. In the first column, they will list each of the seven themes. In the second column, they must explain each theme in their own words and provide one modern, real-world example of the theme being either upheld or violated.
   • Example: For "Care for God's Creation," a student might write: "This means we have to protect the planet because it's a gift from God. An example of violating this is a company dumping pollution into a river. An example of upholding it is a community starting a recycling program."
3. Discussion: Review the student's chart together. Use these questions to deepen understanding:
   • "Which theme surprised you the most? Why?"
   • "Which theme do you think is the most challenging for our society to live up to today?"
   • "Can you see how some of these themes might be connected or even conflict with each other sometimes?"

Part III: The Just Enterprise Challenge - Application & Creation (60-90 minutes)

This is the central, creative part of the lesson where the student applies their knowledge.

1. Step 1: Identify an Issue. Ask the student to choose a social problem that they are passionate about. It could be global or local. (Examples: plastic pollution in oceans, fast fashion and worker exploitation, lack of healthy food options in a neighborhood, loneliness among the elderly, unfair practices in the video game industry).
2. Step 2: Brainstorm a Solution. The student will brainstorm an idea for a business or a non-profit organization that directly addresses this problem. Encourage creativity! It could be a product, a service, or a community project.
3. Step 3: Create a "Just Enterprise Blueprint." The student will create a simple business plan that explains their idea. They can present this as a written document, a slide presentation, or a poster. The blueprint must include the following sections:
   • Enterprise Name: A creative name for their organization.
   • Mission Statement: A single sentence that describes their goal.
   • The Problem: A brief (2-3 sentence) description of the injustice they are addressing.
   • Our Just Solution: An explanation of what their business/non-profit does. How does it work? What product or service does it provide?
   • Living Our Values (The CST Connection): This is the most important part. The student must choose at least THREE themes of CST and explain specifically how their enterprise will live out those themes.
     • Example: For a coffee shop enterprise...
     • Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers: "We will pay all our employees a living wage, not just minimum wage, and offer flexible hours for students or parents."
     • Solidarity: "We will source our coffee beans directly from a specific farming cooperative in Guatemala, paying them a fair-trade price to ensure they can support their families. We will share their stories in our shop."
     • Care for God's Creation: "All our cups and packaging will be 100% compostable, and we will offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable mugs."

Part IV: Bringing It Home - Presentation & Reflection (15 minutes)

This is where the learning is consolidated and connected back to personal action.

1. Presentation: The student presents their "Just Enterprise Blueprint."
2. Reflection Discussion: Use these questions to conclude the lesson:
   • "What was the most difficult part of trying to create a business that was both successful and just?"
   • "How does thinking about these themes change the way you look at the brands you buy or the companies you support?"
   • "Beyond starting a company, what is one small, realistic action you can take this week to live out one of the themes of CST?"

3. Assessment

Assessment is based on participation, discussion, and the creative project.

• Formative (During Lesson): Assess understanding through the quality of the student's "Translate the Themes" chart and their contributions to the discussion questions.
• Summative (End of Lesson): The "Just Enterprise Blueprint" project is the main assessment. Evaluate it based on:
  1. Clarity of Concept: Is the business/non-profit idea clear and well-explained?
  2. Thoughtful Application of CST: Did the student accurately connect their enterprise's practices to at least three CST themes? Are the connections specific and meaningful?
  3. Creativity and Effort: Did the student show creativity and genuine engagement with the project?

4. Differentiation & Extension

• Differentiation: The lesson provides choice in the social issue selected and the final presentation format (written, poster, slides), catering to the student's interests and strengths.
• Extension (Optional): For a deeper dive, the student can research a real-world company known for its ethical practices (e.g., Patagonia, Greyston Bakery, Thistle Farms) and write a one-page report analyzing how it embodies the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.