GVC COLLOQUIA
Course Descriptions for 2008-09

GVC 211 Colloquium: Cities

In this course students and faculty will examine the phenomena of cities and urbanization. An underlying theme will be to open ourselves to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in the city. In this context we will ask the following questions: How/why have cities evolved? What does urban (vs. rural) living do to us and for us? What makes a city work well? Among other outcomes, students will recognize the potential for the city structure to act as an agent for social change, recognize the potential the city provides for demonstrating human creativity, and understand how to use and apply the scientific process to study an urban problem.

GVC 231 Colloquium: Passion/Obsession: Mind and Matter; Being Human

Passion. Obsession. Desire. Addiction. Faithfulness. Fanaticism. Love? Hate? We are created by God to live a life of meaning. As a result, we have inherent drives and appetites that can be either creative or destructive. At what point does a desire develop into a life-consuming addiction? Where is the line between faithfulness and fanaticism? Can love destroy and hate create? Together we will explore through Art, Science, and Philosophy humanity's eternal struggle with this dichotomy, and hopefully gain insight both corporately and individually into the human condition.

GVC 231 Colloquium: Plague: Examining Humanity’s Place in Nature

Infectious diseases have shaped human populations throughout history and the specter of pandemic flu is again causing global concern. This course will explore aspects of contagious diseases that impact on communities, both past and present, and address the fundamental position of humanity in creation. A multidisciplinary approach will blend theology and biology, history and philosophy of the common good. We will study the biology of disease transmission, disease agents and their vectors with the history of past epidemics and their impact on human communities. We will look at the biblical accounts, the history of the Christian movement, and at contemporary theological and ethical responses to disease. Students will be challenged to think and respond to questions such as: How can we build stronger communities? Can we maintain our values in the face of a major disaster? Understanding that disease is part of our world, how do we respond?