Philosophy and Theology of Community I

This seminar explores the nature of community, with particular focus on community in the American context. Some of the central historical, cultural, political and religious forces that have shaped both American community and the American understanding of community are examined. These questions are initially approached from an historical perspective with an assessment of philosophical ideas which were dominant in the political thinking of the American founders. The seminar then considers the historical development of those ideas in light of the way they are concretized in political practice, arriving at an assessment of contemporary American thinking on community. As a course in the PULSE program, service is required for this course. Satisfies the following distribution requirement(s) for Philosophy: Ethics & Values.