CBL: Courage, Hope, Justice

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

How do we become courageous but not reckless? Maintain hope in a world full of despair? Sort out what we owe others and they us? This course explores how the moral virtues of courage, temperance, prudence, and justice, and the theological virtues of faith, love, and hope shape individuals and communities. In addition to academic readings, our lives and community work serve as texts, allowing us to study and apply these virtues’ religious, psychological and social dimensions. We pay particular attention to how courage, hope, and justice manifest in everyday life, such as in friendships and within communities, during addiction and financial stress, and in the context of a warming planet. Assignments include reflections, student led discussions and studying an exemplar and creating a portfolio for life-long learning. While there is an emphasis on Christian ethics, students are invited to put their own faith tradition or humanist worldview in conversation with course material. This course is a Community Based Learning course. Students partake in at least 20 hours of work over the semester with local community organizations. Partnering opportunities include working with people experiencing homelessness, tutoring through existing CSJ programs or other agreed upon work. Students select a program that works with their schedule, and there are lighter readings and assignments during this period.