Finding meaning in the curriculum: orienting philosophy majors to a meaningful life as a primary learning outcome
I discuss a learning outcome of the Western Carolina University, Department of Philosophy and Religion, which focuses on a student's development and pursuit of a meaningful, thriving, well-lived life, as a corrective to the poverty of existential reflection in the academy. We achieve this Socra...
1. VerfasserIn: | |
---|---|
Medienart: | Elektronisch Aufsatz |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Verfügbarkeit prüfen: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Veröffentlicht: |
Taylor & Francis
[2018]
|
In: |
International journal of philosophy and theology
Jahr: 2018, Band: 79, Heft: 4, Seiten: 451-457 |
normierte Schlagwort(-folgen): | B
Western Carolina University, Philosophy and Religion Department
/ Studium
/ Gutes Leben
|
RelBib Classification: | FA Theologie FB Theologiestudium KBQ Nordamerika VA Philosophie |
weitere Schlagwörter: | B
Happiness
B Good Life B Narrative B fulfilling B Flourishing B Curriculum B Existential B Reflection B Career B Meaning B Vocation B Teaching |
Online Zugang: |
Volltext (Verlag) |
Zusammenfassung: | I discuss a learning outcome of the Western Carolina University, Department of Philosophy and Religion, which focuses on a student's development and pursuit of a meaningful, thriving, well-lived life, as a corrective to the poverty of existential reflection in the academy. We achieve this Socratic goal via a targeted series of assignments throughout the student's education, a required pro-seminar on the topic of human flourishing, and other elective courses. The self-reflective, narrative assignments are designed to help students develop their own tentative position on a flourishing life, consider whether and how they are pursuing that vision, and articulate meaningful ways to integrate potential vocations with a fulfilling existence. Students are introduced to these questions in introductory classes; take a pro-seminar analyzing various positions on the good life' drawn from numerous philosophical, religious, and literary texts (for breadth), with a research paper assignment critically evaluating one position of their choice (for depth); and, in their final year, revisit their earlier meaning assignments,' examining retrospectively their academic career (including other courses that existentialize' these questions) and personal development, and prospectively their postbaccalaureate life and career. I conclude with some suggestions for programs keen to incorporate a similar outcome into their own curriculum. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 2169-2335 |
Enthält: | Enthalten in: International journal of philosophy and theology
|
Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/21692327.2018.1462242 |