College of St. Joseph the Worker's Jacob Imam talks with Gomer
Dec 15, 2023
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Jacob Imam discusses the merger of higher education and Catholic social justice principles, focusing on the dignity of non-exploitative work and the trades. They also explore the value of labor, the importance of the humanities, and the revitalization of Steubenville. Additionally, they discuss America's exceptionalism and individualism, subsistence farming vs corporate farming, and the mission and trades offered by the College of St. Joseph the Worker.
Understanding the theology of work and its connection to lay theology pillars is crucial for living a virtuous life.
Revitalizing downtown areas can contribute to community pride and attract new residents and businesses.
Offering paid training opportunities helps students avoid crippling debt and prepares them for virtuous and fulfilling lives.
Deep dives
Importance of Understanding the Dignity of Work
The podcast highlights the importance of understanding the dignity of work and its connection to the teachings of the Church. It emphasizes that Jesus Himself was a laborer and sanctified the world through His work. The Catholic studies program at the College of St. Joseph the Worker aims to educate students about the theology of work and how it relates to the three pillars of lay theology - work, family, and politics. By comprehending the purpose and significance of work, students can better sanctify the temporal order and live a virtuous life.
Revitalizing Downtown Steubenville
The podcast discusses the revitalization efforts in downtown Steubenville. The College of St. Joseph the Worker is actively involved in renovating old buildings, churches, and houses in the area. The goal is to create a more visually appealing and vibrant downtown that can attract new residents and businesses. By transforming the physical appearance of the community, they hope to instill a sense of pride and contribute to the overall revitalization of the area.
Paid Training Opportunities and Financial Stability for Students
The podcast highlights that the College of St. Joseph the Worker offers paid training opportunities for its students. The focus is on ensuring that students are financially stable and can avoid the burden of crippling debt. By providing them with paid work in their chosen trade, the college aims to help students cover their tuition and living costs. This approach not only prepares them for their future careers but also enables them to embark on a virtuous and fulfilling life without the burden of financial stress.
The Dignification of Work
The podcast episode explores the concept of work as a means of sanctifying the world and cultivating the common good. It emphasizes that work is not just about making money or completing tasks, but about transforming oneself and society. The discussion highlights the importance of mindset in perceiving work as an opportunity to expand the goodness in the world. It also reflects on the role of Catholic social teaching in shaping this understanding of work as a means to elevate labor and prevent exploitation. The episode explores how the industrial revolution and approaches like Taylorism have shifted the focus away from the creative and virtuous aspects of work. Instead, it promotes a vision of work that allows individuals to imprint their own soul onto their endeavors and contribute to the common good.
The Value of Trades and Skilled Labor
The podcast episode underscores the importance of trades and skilled labor in contemporary society. It challenges the common perception that college degrees always lead to higher earnings and success. Instead, it highlights that tradesmen, such as electricians and plumbers, often have higher net worth and financial stability. The episode argues that the trades offer a rich path for acquiring virtues and engaging in creative work that cannot be easily automated. It emphasizes the value of craftsmanship and the dignity of labor in trades like timber framing and masonry. Additionally, the episode discusses the historical shift towards prioritizing monetary gains over longevity and quality in construction, calling for a return to traditional forms of building and the recognition of craftsmanship.
I was lucky to interview Jacob Imam about the merger between higher education and Catholic social justice principles, especially on the dignity of non-exploitative work and of the trades. Jacob lives in Steubenville, Ohio with his wife and kids and works at New Polity. He and Michael Sullivan launched the now approved College of St. Joseph the Worker.
Announcing The College of St. Joseph the Worker | Starting Fall 2024 - YouTube — Mike Sullivan and Jacob Imam are excited to announce that the College of St. Joseph is now state-approved and accepting students for Fall 2024. The College's mission is to teach students a trade, provide a liberal arts education, and graduate them without crippling debt.
New Polity — Steubenville, OH 43952
The 4th annual New Polity conference, "Should We, Therefore, Destroy the Servers," is a three-day opportunity to consider, discuss, and debate technology as to its nature, its status as a totalizing form of life, its effects on politics, and the possibilities and limits of doing something about it.
Featuring a keynote from Michael Crawford, a Gala dinner on Saturday night, and the opportunity to present your own ideas on Thursday night, we continue to try to one-up ourselves.
Looking forward to seeing you there. Like actually seeing you!
