Liberal Learning for Life - University of Dallas

Welcome to the Liberal Learning for Life newsletter!
Our theme this month is Patriotism and Politics.

Next month, we will explore Literature and Loss.

THE THREE GREAT SOCIETIES

We know that we have a duty to care for our nation as citizens. But the social teaching of the Church reminds us that this is also part of our responsibility as faithful Catholics. As Associate Professor of History Susan Hanssen, Ph.D., explains, our membership in a political community is situated between two other societies: the family and the Church.

Dr. Hanssen’s presentation is taken from the free video-based course "What Is a Person? An Introduction to Catholic Anthropology," part of the Studies in Catholic Faith and Culture Program.

PATRIOTISM, PARENTS AND PIETY

In this episode of the Liberal Learning for Life Podcast, Associate Professor and Chair of Politics David Upham, PhD '02, joins us for a conversation that was recorded three days after the anniversary of 9/11 and three days before Constitution Day. We speak about patriotism: what it is, and what it isn’t.

POLITICS AND THE ARTS OF LIBERTY

Seeking wisdom in political matters, the late Professor of English John Alvis, BA '66 MA '69 PhD '73, turns to the Oresteia, the trilogy of plays by Aeschylus. There, he argues, we find “human intelligence” seeking “the good life conceived as individual self-government” by means of a constitution that is “supervised and maintained by a deliberative assembly.”

This article is taken from the journal of the Arts of Liberty Project, which educates students, teachers and lifelong learners in the purpose and power of the liberal arts and liberal education.

Upcoming Event

COWAN ARCHIVE SEMINAR SERIES

This series of biweekly seminars meets every other Thursday from 6-8 p.m. through Oct. 15 on Zoom. Through the teachings of Louise Cowan, the series explores the deep structure and interconnections among the classic genres of literature. The theme for the fall 2020 series is "The Great Polyphony: Black, Hispanic and Anglo Imaginations in the Americas." Authors to be studied include Herman Melville, Robert Hayden, Machado de Assis, Octavio Paz, William Faulkner and Toni Morrison.

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