The Institute for Human Ecology

Human flourishing illuminated by Catholic social doctrine.

Freedom

The foundation of human flourishing

"The freedom of the individual finds its basis in man's transcendent dignity . . ." - Pope John Paul II, Message for World Day of Peace, 1981

Family

The fundamental social unit of a healthy, functioning society

"The family may be regarded as the cradle of civil society . . . " - Pope Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianae

Economy

The intersection of free enterprise and ingenuity ordered towards human flourishing

"It is . . . an error to say that the economic and moral orders are so distinct from and alien to each other that the former depends in no way on the latter." - Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno

Culture

The driving force behind the way we form human relationships

"Human beings interpret and shape the natural environment through culture, which in turn is given direction by the responsible use of freedom, in accordance with the dictates of the moral law." - Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate

Learn more about our Master of Arts in Human Rights Program

Latest News

17 Oct 2019

Program Director William Saunders Addresses Human Rights in China with Chen Guangcheng

October 17, 2019

ihe

Chen Guangcheng, China, MA Human Rights, William Saunders MA Human Rights, News

IHE's Human Rights program held it's second annual human rights event, “Thirty Years after Tiananmen Square – Human Rights in China Today.” The speaker was a Chinese human rights activist, Chen Guangcheng.

17 Oct 2019

“The Power and the Glory”
Episode 17: The Death of a Whisky Priest

October 17, 2019

ihe

Angela Knobel, Jennifer Frey, Love, podcast, The Power and the Glory News

IHE Fellows Jennifer Frey and Angela Knobel discuss “The Power and the Glory” by Graham Greene in episode 17 of Frey's podcast, Sacred and Profane Love.

15 Oct 2019

Anything that threatens Communism is a target, Chinese human rights advocate says

October 15, 2019

ihe

MA Human Rights, News

Chen Guangcheng, Fellow and Chinese human rights activist, has called for a renewed focus on the country’s practices of mass detention, religious oppression, and reports of organ harvesting.

Upcoming Events

7 Nov , 2019

Alienated America
Centralization, Subsidiarity, and the Political Rise of Trump

November 7 - 6:00 pm

During this event, Timothy Carney and Emmett McGroarty will discuss the challenges facing modern America, the relevance of Catholic social doctrine, and a framework for leading us out of the wilderness.

See Event

9 Nov , 2019

Recognizing the Body of Christ
A Theological Engagement on Disability

November 9 - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

An introduction to the distinctively Catholic approach to disability. Ideal for clergy, religious, pastoral/catechetical leaders, seminarians, theology students, and academics.

See Event

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS

SEE PAST EVENTS

Civitas Dei Summer Fellowship

The Person, the Polis, and the Search for Happiness

The Institute for Human Ecology and the Thomistic Institute
Civitas Dei Summer Fellowship for Graduate Students in the Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities

The Civitas Dei Summer Fellowship supports rising scholars seeking to better understand the Catholic intellectual tradition. Open to all qualified graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The costs to attend the Civitas Dei Fellowship program (including lodging and reasonable travel expenses) are covered by the sponsors.

Check back regularly for 2020 information.