{"id":7,"date":"2024-08-07T14:23:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T18:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2025-01-29T19:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T00:56:09","slug":"description","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/description\/","title":{"rendered":"Description"},"content":{"rendered":"

Midway upon the journey of our life<\/em>
\nI found myself within a forest dark
\n<\/em>For the straightforward pathway had been lost.\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say<\/em>
\nWhat was this forest savage, rough, and stern,<\/em>
\nWhich in the very thought renews the fear.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0So bitter is it, death is little more;<\/em>
\n\u00a0But of the good to treat, which there I found,<\/em>
\n\u00a0Speak will I of the\u00a0 other things I saw there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dante\u2019s Inferno<\/em>, Canto I<\/p>\n


\nWe begin our descent<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Our seminar begins with two different images of Hell:\u00a0 The first is Migration. The second is Existentialist Angst. <\/em>We shall look at two versions of this second, one in a world where “God is dead” <\/em>and a diametrically opposed version in a world where\u00a0“He is alive<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

In this part of our seminar, I will use these images to introduce you to our first social science concept: Description<\/strong>.<\/em> The meaning of the word “description” seems straightforward, at least until we begin thinking about it. What exactly do we mean when we describe something?\u00a0 What does an accurate description look like? Why do people disagree over an exercise that seems so simple?\u00a0 Why should this disagreement matter (in a deep sense)?<\/p>\n

From this day forward, you are responsible for keeping up with all of the readings on this syllabus.\u00a0 In addition to the required books, you must bring copies of both the assigned readings marked \u201cPRINT\u201d as well as hand-outs to class.\u00a0 Every time we meet, you must<\/strong> have the required readings in front of you so we can have a robust discussion.<\/p>\n

1. Tuesday, August 27<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion Topic<\/em>:\u00a0 Why is the theme of Hell a significant part of life?\u00a0 Why do we use the term so frequently?<\/p>\n

In this, our first class meeting, I will outline my goals and the structure of this course.\u00a0 I will also conduct a class survey.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, we start familiarizing ourselves with the terrain of Hell.\u00a0 Here is my personal guarantee:\u00a0 Everything we do as we move through this semester will relate to subsequent segments of the course.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 On Thursday, we will begin our discussion of Luis Alberto Urrea,\u00a0The Devil\u2019s Highway. <\/em>As you read the book, think about the following phrase:\u00a0 “After reading the Devil’s Highway<\/em>, I can see that the deepest form of Hell for the migrant is \u00a0. . .\u201d \u00a0Then, \u00a0write a brilliant sentence in which you fill in the ellipsis of the phrase. Then write two equally brilliant follow-up sentences that clarify your first sentence and flow logically and smoothly from it.<\/p>\n

There is no correct answer to this assignment.<\/p>\n

At first glance, this assignment seems easy. It is not. The purpose of this exercise is to begin training your mind to formulate effective introductions to papers. Thus, please spend a serious amount of time choosing the best sentences.\u00a0 In particular, imagine that your sentences are the introduction to a paragraph. Why would your sentences grab my attention?\u00a0 Why would the way you have linked them make sense to a reader whom you want to persuade to read further?<\/p>\n

Your sentences should be typed and double-spaced. NOTE: You should consistently adhere to this rule throughout our course.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid I won\u2019t be able to read any of your assignments if they aren\u2019t typed and double-spaced.<\/p>\n

Please send me your sentences as an email document (a document, not<\/span> a regular email!) before our class meets on Thursday morning. After Thursday, I will create Google folders for each of you to which you can deposit all of your assignments.<\/p>\n

IMAGE ONE<\/strong><\/h5>\n

THE PLIGHT OF THE MIGRANT:\u00a0 \u201cHELL ON EARTH\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus was a refugee without a home<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn\u00a0 \u00a0(<\/em>World English Bible)<\/p>\n

The migration of peoples is as old as human kind.\u00a0 We are all products of migration. The goal of this section is to meditate on the plight of the migrant. To this end, I am not interested in getting into the concrete political debates surrounding the global crisis over the migration of peoples. Reasonable people can disagree about responsible policy responses.\u00a0 Instead, I would like you to reflect upon the following issues:<\/p>\n

What is it like to be a migrant? Make this personal.<\/p>\n

Why do we, as privileged human beings, struggle with the issue of empathy when we encounter tragedies, such as those brought about by the vast movement of peoples around the world?\u00a0 If we should be empathetic with the plight of the downtrodden, how can we turn ourselves around?<\/p>\n

2. Thursday, August 29<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion:<\/em><\/p>\n

Luis Alberto Urrea,\u00a0The Devil\u2019s Highway:\u00a0 A True Story.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Read at least the first half of the book.<\/p>\n

WWJD?:\u00a0 Jesus, the Homeless Refugee \u2013 Matthew 2:1-15\u00a0READ AND PRINT<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Tuesday, September 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Luis Alberto Urrea,\u00a0The Devil\u2019s Highway:\u00a0 A True Story\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Finish the book.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 Urrea quotes Raquel Rubio Goldsmith, a human rights activist, who says: “There should be no such thing as an illegal person” (p. 196). What does Rubio Goldsmith mean? And do you agree with her?<\/p>\n

Write a single, double-spaced, typed paragraph in which you state what she means and take a firm stand for OR against<\/em> her position. When you state where you stand, you should also state what argument could be raised against your position.<\/p>\n

4. Thursday, September 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion<\/em>:\u00a0 Great Writing, Persuasive Criticism<\/strong><\/p>\n

George Orwell was one of the finest stylists in the English language.\u00a0 His works are deceptively easy to read.\u00a0 Most people cannot write like this.\u00a0 I want you to try.\"\"<\/p>\n

Each of the following readings relates directly to the topics of our seminar.\u00a0 We will return to them again and again.<\/p>\n

In the first part of this class, we will discuss what makes\u00a0great<\/em>\u00a0writing great. What are the features of great writing? Why is great writing so difficult?<\/p>\n

George Orwell, \u201cPolitics and the English Language\u201d\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Famous facsimile (handout)<\/p>\n

Mystery facsimile (handout)<\/p>\n

Yet, sometimes it\u2019s not enough to be a great writer. See: British Council, \u201cApologies to Mr. Orwell\u201d READ<\/a><\/p>\n

In the second half of this session, we will discuss what it means to write the introductory paragraph to a paper.\u00a0 What should it look like?\u00a0 What must it do?<\/p>\n

If we have time, we will consider Orwell\u2019s points about the use and abuse of words.\u00a0\u00a0What would Orwell say about the distortion of truth in our time?\u00a0 Is it any different than what he describes in his time?<\/p>\n

Bring your physical copy of the Orwell reading to class.<\/p>\n

You have a two-part assignment:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1. Read the articles below and write a concise introductory paragraph as well as the first sentence of the second paragraph that could be used for a longer essay.<\/p>\n

Should NFL prospects be required to play in college bowl games? READ\u00a0PRO<\/a> (some angry letters) and CON<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In writing your paragraph, attend to the following guidelines. Your paragraph and following sentence should be double spaced and\u00a0no longer<\/em> than 2\/3 of a page (though the best paragraphs are no more than half of a page):<\/p>\n

a.\u00a0 Identify the contested issue;<\/p>\n

b. Identify the opposing positions;<\/p>\n

c. State which side you will defend;<\/p>\n

d. Provide a very brief road-map of how you shall proceed.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Identify three features of great writing and, in one sentence, explain why each is important.<\/p>\n

5. Tuesday, September `10\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learning\u00a0<\/em>is as much about\u00a0looking at<\/em>\u00a0something\u00a0as about\u00a0reading\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0listening.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today: We will meet in the Special Collections room, first floor of Hesburgh Library<\/span>.<\/p>\n

An excursus into depictions of Hell, both classical and contemporary, based upon Dante’s Inferno<\/em>.<\/strong>\u00a0 We will move from the twenty-first century to the fourteenth century and back.\u00a0\u00a0Our goal in today\u2019s meeting is to see how artists’ depictions of Hell reflect the circumstances in which they are created.<\/p>\n

Notre Dame is a powerhouse in Italian studies and has one of the finest collections of Dante\u2019s Divine Comedy<\/em>.\u00a0 Julia Schneider, the library\u2019s expert on this collection, will introduce us to visual depictions of Dante\u2019s\u00a0Inferno<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>: Read the following two Cantos closely. Also, read the notes. They will help\u00a0 you understand what’s going on. The better you understand these Cantos, the easier it will be for you to interpret the artistic depictions that we will see.\u00a0 Make sure you bring the Cantos with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Canto I:\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a>
\nExplanation of what’s going on: READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Canto Canto XXXIII (betrayal and cannibalism):\u00a0 PRINT AND READ<\/a>
\nExplanation of what’s going on:\u00a0 READ<\/a><\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0Is Hell Real?\u00a0Two-thirds of Americans say \u201cyes.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0If Hell isn\u2019t real, why would a smart guy like Dante say it is?<\/p>\n

Bring physical copies of the two Cantos to this meeting in the library.<\/p>\n

IMAGE Two<\/strong><\/h5>\n

BEING ALIVE:\u00a0 \u201cLife Itself Is Hell . . .\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Thursday, September 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

Existentialism, Version I: \u201cA World Without God\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am cheating a bit in having you read versions of this image of Hell.\u00a0 Both of the readings were written in the twentieth century.\u00a0 Mea culpa<\/em>. However, they serve my purpose well enough to make this transgression worthwhile.\u00a0 Although \u201cexistentialist\u201d literature is not in vogue at the moment, there are enough issues in the air today (e.g. the pandemic; global climate change; the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; the possibility of a renewed mandatory military draft; even an asteroid exploding over Pittsburgh) to make me think this way of looking at the world is very much in the air. To add to my provocation, I am also throwing the Catholic church into both of these sections.<\/p>\n

For background purposes, you can find a brief and very reader-friendly outline of the attributes of \u201cexistentialism\u201d\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

Do not worry about the many different types of existentialism. There are too many. Just get a sense for the general idea.\u00a0 In this first case–Jean Paul Sartre–we are looking at \u201cexistentialism for atheists.\u201d<\/p>\n

Discussion Topics:\u00a0 What does Jean-Paul Sartre say about the meaning of life?\u00a0 Do human being really have control over their lives?\u00a0 Once you have considered his responses to these questions, ask yourself whether the Catholic Church has a significantly different response.<\/p>\n

Jean-Paul Sartre<\/a>, \u201cThe Wall\u201d\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Article IV (1033-1037), \u201cHell,\u201d Catechism<\/em>\u00a0of the Catholic Church:\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Bring physical copies of this story and the Catechism article to class.<\/p>\n

Paragraph assignment<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Imagine a debate between Sartre and the author of the Catholic catechism (let’s call him Jesus).\u00a0 What would constitute the central issue in the debate? What position would each side take on this issue?<\/p>\n

You will know if you have chosen the central issue since Sartre and Jesus will take opposing stands.\u00a0 Without opposing views on a subject, there can’t be a debate.<\/p>\n

Clue: You can identify the issue by imagining that Sartre and Jesus are facing each other while they enjoy a sumptuous feast at North Dining Hall.<\/p>\n

*<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inauguration of Fr. Robert Dowd, csc as President of the University of Notre Dame<\/strong>
\nThursday, September 12 and Friday, September 13<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is the schedule of events, see HERE<\/a>. As you can see, we are hosting some extraordinary speakers between 11:00 and 3:00 on Thursday.\u00a0 Our new president, Fr. Robert Dowd, csc, will give an inauguration address at 2:45.<\/p>\n

I urge you to attend these events. They are examples of what makes Notre Dame special. I also have a gift. I will reduce the page requirement for your upcoming essay assignment by one page for every paragraph I receive from each of you identifying a highlight in one of the participant’s statements.\u00a0 You may only submit one paragraph. Put it in your folder. I prefer that you attend these events, though if you absolutely cannot do so, I’m sure that the participants’ statements will soon be available on the web.<\/p>\n

*<\/strong><\/h5>\n

8. Tuesday, September 1`7<\/strong><\/p>\n

Existentialism, Version II:\u00a0 \u201cA World With God\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flannery O’Connor was one of the most profound Catholic writers of the twentieth century.\u00a0 O’Connor is most often associated with a body of literature known as “southern Gothic<\/a>,” which includes other writers, such as William Faulkner and Harper Lee. Hesburgh Library has a priceless recording<\/a> of her reading one of her most famous stories–“A Good Man is Hard to Find”–while on a visit to Notre Dame.<\/p>\n

Flannery O\u2019Connor<\/a>, \u201cThe Lame Shall Enter First\u201d\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Alissa Wilkinson<\/a>, \u201cWhat Ethan Hawke\u2019s \u2018Wildcat’ Gets Right about Flannery O\u2019Connor\u201d PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Topics:\u00a0 What is O\u2019Connor\u2019s view of the human condition? What does she suggest about the role of human choice? In her view, what would make life worth living?<\/p>\n

As you read the story, ask yourself why or whether the differences between her image of Hell and Sartre\u2019s are greater than the similarities.<\/p>\n

Bring a physical copy of this story to class.<\/p>\n

Paragraph assignment<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Here is a debate proposition: “There is definitely room for hope in O’Connor’s ‘The Lame Shall Enter First!'”<\/p>\n

Identify the PRO AND CON positions in this hypothetical debate.\u00a0 Use no more than three compact sentences (two could be even better) to state the argument for each side. Then devote one–and only one–compact sentence saying what side you will defend and why.<\/p>\n

9. Thursday, September 19<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first Great Debate!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

TOPIC:<\/p>\n

In this class, we will hold the First Great Debate. One side (PRO) will defend the following proposition. The other (CON) will attack it.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Devil\u2019s Highway<\/em>:<\/p>\n

It was wrong to make Mendez shoulder a heavy burden of responsibility for the deaths among the Wellton 26. Even if no one had died, Mendez was only a small part of a brutal system that would kill scores of others anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before we meet for this class, I would like you to prepare to defend both sides, PRO and CON, of this proposition. Your debate leaders will start the debate preparations on Google documents. It will be up to all of you to fill in the blanks by the time you meet for the debate.\u00a0 Everyone must contribute at least TWICE to each<\/span> of the respective sides in the debate. Your contribution should be substantial, i.e., something beyond \u201cditto\u201d and provide reasons justifying your position. I will look with favor on those who contribute more.<\/p>\n

This assignment is designed to help you think about what it means to formulate a strong argument.\u00a0 I have already divided you into two teams on different Google documents. However, I will not tell you which team is PRO or CON before we meet.<\/p>\n

Note<\/em>:\u00a0 This is a debate!\u00a0 Not a tea party.\u00a0 Be civil, but be determined to fight and win. Please leave your weapons at the door.<\/p>\n

Your First Essay Assignment IS HERE<\/h5>\n

10. Tuesday, September 24<\/strong><\/p>\n

I will not hold our regular class today. Instead, I would like to give all of you the opportunity to talk with me about your papers.\u00a0 I will be in my office from 9:30 – 11:30.\u00a0 I suggest that you bring a draft of your introductory paragraph for us to discuss. I will\u00a0 also hold my regular office hours during the week (see Requirements page).<\/p>\n

\u03a9<\/p>\n

Please leave your technology at home.\u00a0 It is distracting.\u00a0 It inhibits learning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark For the straightforward pathway had been lost. Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say What was this forest savage, rough, and stern, Which in the very thought renews the fear. \u00a0So bitter is it, death is little more; … Continue reading Description<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":74,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":577,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions\/577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/ten-images-fall-2024\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}