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Advanced Topics in Christian Thought


  • North Carolina Study Center 307 E Franklin St Chapel Hill, NC, 27514 USA (map)

Advanced Topics in Christian Thought

The North Carolina Study Center is piloting a new program this January…. and you’re invited! Advanced Topics in Christian Thought is designed to cultivate lively conversation, (friendly) debate, intellectual growth, and fellowship—all in a community of Christian graduate students and advanced undergraduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Picture this: Everyone has completed a packet of exceptional readings on an interesting topic for discussion (e.g. What are the ends of education?). We gather for four seminar-style sessions on a Friday and Saturday, engaging in in-depth discussions that are interspersed with meals and casual conversation. Rather than attempt to settle a debate in a weekend or simply stake out different positions, the goal is to provide a structured format for discussing complex, contested questions. To that end, the readings come from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. Similarly, the wider the range of participants, the better. If a weekend of engaging discussion and good meals with fellow students seeking after truth sounds enjoyable, this is for you!

Our first seminar will be January 14-15, beginning in the late afternoon on Friday and ending after dinner together on Saturday. Reading packets will be provided in advance and refreshments will be available throughout the weekend. Business casual is preferred. Owing to the need for a group of limited size, we may not be able to include all interested parties. But we highly encourage you to apply! We look forward to a weekend of engaging discussions and convivial connections. See below for more information.

Applications are due Friday, Dec. 3. Selected participants will be notified via email by Tuesday, Dec. 7th so they can pick up their reading packets before winter break. Questions? Email Andrew.

January 14 & 15 Seminar: Education & the University

Finalized Schedule

Friday, Jan. 14

  • 4:00 pm - Welcome & Introductions

  • 4:30 pm - Session 1

  • 6:00 pm - Reception (Dinner provided)

  • 7:30 pm - Social hour off-site at Franklin Motors (optional)

Saturday, Jan. 15

  • 8:30 am - Breakfast + coffee (provided)

  • 9:00 am - Session 2

  • 10:30 am - Coffee break

  • 11:00 am - Session 3

  • 12:30 pm - Break for Lunch (on own)

  • 4:00 pm - Session 4

  • 5:30 pm - Closing reception (Dinner provided)

  • 7:00 pm - Social hour off-site at Franklin Motors (optional)

Readings

Session 1: Education 

  • Maritain, “The Aims of Education, Education at the Crossroads

  • Friere, Pedagogy of the Oppressed [Excerpts]

  • Newman, Discourses II & III, The Idea of a University [Excerpts]

Session 2: The Human Person

  • Humanist Manifesto III

  • Scheler, "Man and History," Philosophical Perspectives

  • Taylor, Ch. 3 & 4, The Ethics of Authenticity

  • Henrich, Heine, and Narenzayan, “The weirdest people in the world?” [Excerpts]

Session 3: The University

  • Newman, Discourse IV, Idea of a University [Excerpts]

  • Brennan and Magness, “Neither Gremlins nor Poltergeists,” Cracks in the Ivory Tower

  • University Mission Statements [Various]

Session 4: Christian Scholarship

  • Frey, “The Universe and the University” 

  • Marsden, Ch. 4, “What Difference Could It Possibly Make?,” The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship

  • Wolterstorff, “Advice to Those Who Would be Christian Scholars"

  • Excerpts from examples of Christian Scholarship:

    • Wehr and Lederach, “Mediating Conflict in Central America”

    • Collins, “Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome”

    • Anscombe, “Modern Moral Philosophy”

Approx. 200 pages in total

Earlier Event: November 29
Grad Student Speakeasy
Later Event: January 31
Grad Student Speakeasy