The first year of college is disorienting. Aspirations have a way of shifting wildly when you are confronted with an unforeseen combination of freedom and limitation. You are removed from the social supports of high school and the day-to-day guidance of your parents. You are exposed to new ideas, and you are challenged academically, probably more than ever before. This year is a particularly crucial moment in your life: you’ll be choosing friends, a major, and values as an independent adult. It’s a time when your unique vocation can be revealed. In such circumstances, how do you find the deep, inner security to begin this journey to an uncertain destination?
The marketplace values of our culture often provide us with off-the-rack answers for the question, “What should I do with my life?” You may picture yourself owning things rather than doing things. “What kind of house will I live in?” “What kind of car will I drive?” Our secular culture discourages us from asking other questions: “How will my work reflect my core values?” “What ARE these values?” “What will I do when I am not working?” “What is my real calling or vocation?”
Vocation is more than a career. Careers are ephemeral. Most of us will change careers several times in our lives. Vocation is what remains and links our choices in life together. What are the values and beliefs that can give us direction, no matter what we do? This is what “Exploring Vocation Through Film” will seek to address through film screenings, reading assignments, writing exercises, and group discussion. We will consider not only “What should we do with out lives,” but “Why should we do it?”
This schedule may change to better serve the needs of the class; all changes will be announced and posted on the course Web page.
August 30 (Monday, 8:30-12:00): First Advising Meetings, Photographs Taken. Make sure you have signed up for a library tour and have purchased the $30 coupon for this course from the campus bookstore.
August 31 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read Thomas H. Benton’s “An Adviser Without Advice.” Introduction: Who am I? What is my purpose in life? How will I fulfill that? Can anyone help me?
September 1 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00 PM): Film Screening: Dead Poets Society (Granberg Room, 2nd Floor, Van Wylen Library).
September 2 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50): Discussion of Dead Poets Society: my parents’ hopes, institutions, my true calling, and seizing the day. Coupons collected today.
September 7 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): Class Meeting at Career Services Office (1st Floor, 100 East 8th Street). Presentation on Career Services and planning your education with Sara Dalman.
September 8 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00):
Film Screening: The Paper Chase.
September 9 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion of The Paper Chase: unexpected mentors, knowing when you are on the wrong path, growing beyond institutional discipline. Turn in Library Tour Certificates to receive credit.
September 14 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
Come prepared to discuss: Parker Palmer, “The Heart of a Teacher: Identity and Integrity in Teaching”; and Thomas H. Benton, “In Praise of Eccentric Professors” and “Remembering the Old Lions.”
September 15 (Wednesday, 6:00-7:30):
No Film Screening. Tonight we will meet at Career Services, 6:00-7:30, to take two tests: the Myers-Briggs Assessment and the Strong Interests Inventory. The results take two weeks, and you will schedule an individual follow-up appointment tonight (please bring your calendars).
September 16 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read and be ready to discuss Lee Hardy’s “Work: Divine Prerogative or the Burden of the Beast?”
September 21 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read and be ready to discuss Lee Hardy’s “Our Work, God’s Providence: The Christian Concept of Vocation.”
September 22 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00):
Film Screening: On the Waterfront.
September 23 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion of On the Waterfront: Getting off the wrong path.
September 28 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read “Parker’s Back” by Flannery O’Connor.
September 29 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00): Film Screening: Babette’s Feast.
September 30 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion: What is the message of Babette’s Feast, and how does it relate to Christian vocation?
October 5 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read Robert K. Johnson, “Why Look at a Film?: A Theological Perspective” and William Romanowski, “Sex, Violence, and Materialism.”
October 6 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00):
Film Screening: American Beauty. NOTE: This film contains mature content; an alternate assignment is available for anyone who prefers not to see this film.
October 7 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion of American Beauty: Gender, Sexuality, and Materialism.
October 12 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): Class meeting at Career Services Office for a group analysis of the Strong Interests Inventory and Myers-Briggs Assessment with Sara Dalman.
October 13 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00): Film Screening: Contact.
October 14 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50): Discussion of Contact: faith and science—conflict or harmony?
October 19 (Tuesday): No class, fall break.
October 20 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00): No Film Screening Tonight.
October 21 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50): No class, Pannapacker speaking at Duke University on teaching vocations.
October 26 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): Mid-term Examination (essay format on films and readings).
October 27 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00): Film Screening: Wall Street.
October 28 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion of Wall Street: Is greed good? Exams returned.
November 2 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): For today, read Newton and Ford, “An Essay on the Background of Business Ethics: Ethics, Economics, Law, and the Corporation.”
November 3 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:30):
Film Screening: Schindler’s List.
November 4 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50): Discussion of Schindler’s List: finding a calling in the midst of an unjust society.
November 9 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): For today, read Gerard L. Sittser, “Discovering What We’re Supposed to Do.” Spring Registration Begins!
November 10 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:30): Film Screening: Amadeus.
November 11 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion of Amadeus: What if we love something but don’t have the talent or opportunity to do it?
November 16 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read Gerard L. Sittser, “Distinguishing Between Career and Calling.”
November 17 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00):
Film Screening: Romero.
November 18 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion of Romero: spiritual integrity and the call to self-sacrifice.
November 23 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): For today, read Stephen L. Carter, “Why is Integrity Admirable?”
November 24 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00): No Film Screening Tonight.
November 25 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50): No class, Happy Thanksgiving!
November 30 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50): Meeting in Granberg Room (Van Wylen Library) with Librarian Jane Currie on researching vocations and careers.
December 1 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:30):
Film Screening: Malcolm X.
December 2 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50):
Discussion: Personal suffering and transcending historical injustice.
December 7 (Tuesday, 2:00-2:50):
For today, read Gordon T. Smith, “The Cross We Bear: Difficulty and Emotional Maturity.”
December 8 (Wednesday, 7:00-9:00): No Film Screening.
December 9 (Thursday, 2:00-2:50): Papers due. Discussion: Are we any closer to knowing our vocation? SIRs administered.
December 13-17: Final Exam, See Registrar’s Schedule for details.
Schedule
Resources and Links (suggestions welcome)