LAS 374-01 Tues/Thurs 08:30-09:45
TBA
Robert A. Miller
S Y L L A B U S
Spring 2010
How wonderful it would be
If we could see the world
Through one another’s eyes.
-Thoreau
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.
-Attributed to Helen
Keller. – Charles L. Wallis, The
Treasure Chest, p. 240 (1983) Unverified
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of
intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of
honest critics
and endure the betrayal of
false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit
better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed
social condition;
To know even one life has
breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO REVISION as semester
progresses
Prologue
1 - R Jan. 14 -Introductions
-Requirements
-Overview
-Coming attractions: previews/reviews of texts, articles, etc.
-Definition of terms
-Facebook? Twitter?
Act
One: Setting Sail
2 - T Jan 19 Discussion: Where will our explorations take us? Why are we doing this?
Where have we been? Where are we going?
3 - R Jan 21 Video: South; Introductory email due
4 - T Jan 26 Book Application Due: The Endurance
Our own Exploration: Wear warm clothes.
Act Two: Work
5 – R Jan 28 Discussion: The concept of work
Discussion: Incorporating Contemplation in our seminar
6 – T Feb 02 Discussion: Googled: Preface; Part One, Chapter One
7 – R Feb 04 Discussion: Having an impact on “work”: if you were to write an Encyclical…
8 – T Feb 09 Discussion:
On Human Work (Laborem Exercens) (Overview)
9 – R Feb
11 Discussion
continued: On Human Work (Laborem
Exercens)
10 - T Feb 16 Discussion
Caritas in Veritate (Overview)
11 – R Feb 18 Discussion continued Caritas in Veritate
12 - T Feb 23 Paper
Due/Discussion: On Human Work (Laborem
Exercens)
and CARITAS IN VERITATE
Act Three: Charting New Waters
13 - R Feb 25 Recital Hall: The Tempest
14 -T March 02 The Tempest: Facebook Exercise Due (as assigned)
15 - R March 04 The Tempest: twitter Exercise DUE
Intermission
March 09 Mid-semester vacation: NO CLASS
March 11 Mid-semester vacation: NO CLASS
Act Four: Technology
16 - T March 16 Discussion: Googled, Part Two, Chapter 2-7
17 - R March 18 Discussion: What is Technology?
18 - T March 23 Discussion: Googled, Part Three, Chapter 8-14
19 – R March 25 Paper Due/Discussion: Googled: Preface-Part Three
and technology
Act Five: Leisure
20 - T March 30 Discussion: What is leisure?
Contemplation Exercise
INTERMISSION
April 01 Holy Thursday NO CLASS Happy Easter
21 - T April 06 Discussion: the Encyclicals and Leisure
22 - R April 08 Discussion: GOOGLED: Part 3, Chapters 8-14
23 - T April 13 Discussion: Technology and Leisure
24 - R April 15 Discussion paper Due on Leisure
Act Six: Any Port in a Storm (Scottish Proverb)
25 -T April
20 Discussion: GOOGLED: Part 4, Chapters 15-17
26 – R April 22 Discussion as related to your readings this semester, the
totality of your Seminar experiences thus far and the question:
“WHERE IS THE WAVE TAKING US?”
Epilogue
27 - T April 27 Junior Seminar Common Assignment (2 copies) and
presentations due (as assigned)
28 – R April 29 Junior Seminar Common Assignment due (2 copies) and
presentations due (as assigned)
Robert A. Miller Fine
Arts 331 708-524-6961 ramiller@email.dom.edu
READINGS:
The Endurance:
Shackelton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition
Caroline Alexander
Knopf
ISBN 9780965776936
On Human Work
(Laborem Exercens)
Pope John Paul II
Caritas in Veritate
Pope Benedict XVI
The Tempest
William Shakespeare Washington Square Press
ISBN 0671722905
GOOGLED
Ken Auletta
Penguin Books
ISBN 9781594202353
Various Handouts
REQUIREMENTS:
Seminar
Participation:
Discussion and interaction are central to the seminar,
and require advance preparation.
It is expected that students will devote to the work of the course an average of two hours outside of class
for each hour in class, i.e., an average
of six hours per week for the three credit-hour course.
6 Typed Book/Article Applications (as applied to seminar theme) or Exercises: Jan. 26th (The Endurance), Feb. 23rd (Encyclicals), March 02nd (Tempest Facebook exercise); March 04th (Tempest Twitter exercise); March 25th (Googled), April 15th (Leisure). Each paper should be approximately one to two pages in length and must be typed and proofed. Each paper must evidence thoughtful reflection and analysis, application to the seminar theme, clarity of expression and proper form/presentation/appearance. The papers are to be written as a springboard for discussion and interaction among members of the seminar.
Peer evaluations of Applications. (Handouts)
Discussion Leader. (As Assigned)
1 Typed Common Assignment: April
277h - April 29th
Using the Guidelines that will be provided as a starting point, tie together and evaluate the readings, discussions, project, etc. with the seminar theme, previous seminar(s) and the forthcoming senior seminar. The format for the common assignment will be decided in class.
Introductory e-mail: Jan 21st
An email report to me (ramiller@email.dom.edu) that includes the following:
1) answer the question "who are you?" three different ways;
2) any comment(s) you may wish to make on your seminar experience(s) to date;
3) list three personal goals / expectations for this seminar;
4) anything else about yourself you wish to add or feel I should be aware of or know.
GRADES:
There will be no grade(s) given until the end of the semester. Students will have the opportunity to meet individually with the professor over the course of the semester to discuss individual assignments. A final grade will be determined based upon the professor’s evaluation of your work over the semester, a self-evaluation of your work over the semester, peer inputs and successful completion of all the requirements for the “Common Assignment”.