At a time of great concern and confusion over the fundamental meanings of sexuality, gender, marriage and family, this course will reexamine the main themes and proposals of the following works of St. John Paul II: On the Christian Family in the Modern World, On the Dignity & Vocation of Women, Letter to Women, and Letter to Families. The writings of Pope Benedict XVI, in particular the Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World, as well as the writings of Pope Francis, in particular his Joy of Love, will be used supplementally. Particular attention will be given throughout the course to the Wednesday Catecheses on the theology of the body by St. John Paul II, which will serve as a watermark behind the entire weeklong study.

Contemporary concepts and ideas regarding gender, marriage, and family will be alluded to and juxtaposed with the Christian anthropological vision of St. John Paul II at given points in the course.