This course explores the human quest for purpose, transcendence and community within the context of the Catholic Christian tradition. The course explores the human movement beyond oneself toward connection with each other, God, and the global community. Students will study diverse communities and assess issues of justice and injustice from the standpoint of personal ethics and responsibility to the community. Ultimately, the course is an opportunity for students to inspect and articulate their own beliefs, then to apply those beliefs to real-world issues, locally and globally. Students will utilize philosophical inquiry, reflection on narrative, and study of the history and tradition of the Catholic Church in approaching these questions.