Description

In this section of the course, we will look at four different images of Hell:  War, Genocide, and two versions of existentialist Angst (one in a world without God versus another in a world with God).

My goal is two fold:  I want to acquaint you with some compelling experiences that we associate with Hell.  Because this is a social science seminar, I also want to think about a complex term which, at first glance doesn’t seem like it should be complex at all: description. What do we mean when we describe something?  Why do people disagree over an exercise that seems so simple?

From this point onward, I want you to devour all of the readings on this syllabus.  In addition to the required books, please remember to bring copies of each of the assigned readings marked “Print” as well as hand-outs to class.  You need to have the required readings in hand so we can have a robust discussion.

1. Tuesday, August 27

Discussion Topic:  Why is the idea of Hell a significant part of our daily lives?  Why do we use the term so frequently?

Today, I outline my goals and the structure of this course.  I will also conduct a class survey.

Assignment: On Thursday, we will begin our discussion of Roy Scranton’s excellent book, War Porn, as well as a short selection from the Catholic Catechism on “Hell.”  As you read Scranton’s book, think about the following theme:  According to Scranton, “war is hell because . . .”  Then,  write one brilliantly introductory sentence which deals with this theme.

After reading the chapters, you should spend at least 20 minutes choosing the best sentence. Imagine that it is the introduction to a paragraph. Your sentence should be typed and double spaced.  All of your assignments in this seminar should adhere to these rules.

IMAGE ONE

THE WAR IN IRAQ  I:  “War is hell . . .”

2.  Thursday, August 29

Discussion Topic:  What is Hell?  It depends on whom you ask.  If we put the Catholic Church and Roy Scranton in the same room, will they get along?

• • “Hell” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: PRINT AND READ
  • Roy Scranton, War Porn   Read only pp. 1-126.
  • On PTSD:  “Editorial:  War is Hell

Today, we start familiarizing ourselves with the terrain of Hell.  Everything we do as we move along will relate to later segments of the course.

As we begin, imagine yourself as a collector, picking up different visions of Hell and trying to discern what they are about.  Scranton presents us with an image.  So does the Catholic Church.

Assignment for Tuesday: Take the sentence you have generated for today’s class and, based on our discussion, use a carefully modified version of it as the introduction to a brilliant (and complete) four sentence paragraph. Please spend lots of time making this paragraph the best one you can imagine writing.  Also, think hard about what a great introductory paragraph should do.  Note:  Anyone can write a paragraph, but it is a big challenge to write a great one.   I challenge you.

3. Tuesday, September 3

Discussion Topic:

• • Finish reading Roy Scranton’s War Porn
  • Roy Scranton, “Back to Baghdad: Live in the City of Doom,” Rolling Stone READ

Be prepared to discuss the themes in the paragraph you have written for today, and then turn it in to me.  I am particularly interested in two issues: 1) what is war like in all of its manifestations? 2) if someone writes about war, how can he or she choose words to capture it in its fullness (remember the challenge of description).

4. Thursday, September 5

An Excursus into the past.  From the Twentieth Century to the Fourteenth Century and back.  Our goal in today’s meeting is to understand how different depictions of Hell reflect the circumstances in which they are created.

Learning is as much about looking as about reading and listening.

We will meet in the Special Collections Room of Hesburgh Library.  Notre Dame is a powerhouse in Italian studies and has one of the finest collections of Dante’s Divine Comedy.  Tracy Bergstrom, the library’s expert on this collection, will introduce us to visual depictions of Dante’s Inferno.  Before we meet, read the following three Cantos closely. Also, read the notes. You will find them extremely helpful in clarifying what’s going on.  The better you understand these Cantos, the easier it will be for you to interpret the artistic depictions we see.

READ: Is Hell Real? If it’s not, why would a smart guy like Dante say it is?

5. Tuesday, September 10

Discussion:  Great Writing, Persuasive Criticism

George Orwell was one of the finest stylists in the English language.  His works are deceptively easy to read.  Most people cannot write like this.  I want you to try.

Assignment: Please write a list of the three most important features of a great introductory paragraph.  After each feature, write a one-sentence justification for why it is one of the three most important.

For the first half of this section, I want you to talk about what it means to write the introductory paragraph to a paper.  What should it look like?  What must it do?

Readings from George Orwell

• • • “Why I write”  PRINT AND READ
    • Famous facsimile (handout)
    • Mystery Facsimile (handout)
    • “Politics and the English Language” PRINT AND READ
    • “Orwell gets an Apology”  READ
    • Bob Fischer and Nathan Nobis, “Why Writing Better will make you a Better Person”: PRINT AND READ

IMAGE TWO

GENOCIDE:  “Driven into Hell”

6. Thursday,  September 12

Discussion Topic:

Francis Wade, Myanmar’s Enemy Within:  Buddhist Violence and the Making of the Muslim Other. 

Read at least the first half of the book.

We will watch this video:  “The Hidden Genocide: Al Jazeera investigates”  HERE

7. Tuesday, September 17

Discussion Topic:

Francis Wade, Myanmar’s Enemy Within:  Buddhist Violence and the Making of the Muslim Other

Finish the book.

8. Thursday, September 19

First Great Debate:

TOPIC:  “We can always choose not to engage in evil actions.  It’s simply ridiculous to claim that any circumstance would prevent us from exercising this free choice.”

Debate structure: TBA

Note:  This is a debate!  Not a tea party.

Prepare for your debate by identifying the structure of this particular exchange:  Should NFL Prospects be required to play in college bowl games? READ PRO and CON

Be prepared to fight and win, but please leave your weapons at the door.

Your first essay assignment is HERE (Friday, September 20)

Be sure to read it carefully and follow all of the instructions!
You will have one week to complete this assignment.

IMAGE THREE

EXISTENCE ITSELF:  “LIFE IS HELL . . .”

9. Tuesday, September 24:

OFF DAY

10. Thursday, September 26:

Existentialism, Version I: “A World Without God

I am cheating a bit with this class and the following image of Hell.  Both of the writings are from the twentieth century.  But they serve my purpose well enough to make my transgression worthwhile.  Mea culpa.  Although “existentialist” thinking is not in vogue at the moment, there are enough issues in the air (e.g. global climate change; the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; the possibility of a renewed mandatory military draft) to make me think this idea will be back.  For background purposes, you can find a very reader-friendly outline of “existentialism” HERE

Discussion Topic:

Jean-Paul Sartre, “The Wall” PRINT AND READ

Your first essay assignment is due by 9:00 a.m., Friday, September 27. (Yes, you may send it in earlier.)

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