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The Program in the Humanities and Human Values at UNC Chapel Hill GOOD AND EVILMaking Sense of Good and Evil, and Using the Humanities to Teach about Them Traditional ways of thinking about good and evil are under assault. In the wake of the Holocaust, wars, weapons of mass destruction, and terrorism, it has become increasingly difficult to sustain positive or favorable assumptions about moral progress and the goodness of human nature that were common at the beginning of the 20th century. The challenge also cuts deeply because of a variety of recent intellectual developments – in the sciences as well as in philosophy and related disciplines in the humanities – that have called into question traditional conceptions of morality, good and evil. OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE will be to survey ideas and events of the last 100 years or so to acquire some perspective on how we make sense of good and evil. We will do this, in part, by looking at several historical case studies and, in part, by sampling recent philosophical and religious literature about good and evil. OUR SECONDARY PURPOSE will be to explore the relationship of education to questions of morality, good, and evil. What does it mean to be an educated person? How can the humanities – including disciplines such as history, literature, philosophy, and religious studies – enrich the education of students as they grapple with questions about the nature of good and evil? FORMAT AND READINGS. While there will be several informal lectures over the course of the week, most of our time will be devoted to discussing our readings – roughly 500 pages of photocopied selections taken primarily from the humanities; a few will be “classic” texts, but most will be from the last 100 years or so, and many will be contemporary. REGISTRATION will be limited to 24 persons – twelve from English or language arts and twelve from history or social studies – in order to facilitate discussion. Participants must currently be full-time middle or high school teachers in North Carolina public or private schools. Applicants will be accepted in the order in which we receive their applications. FACULTY. The seminar moderator will be Warren A. Nord, for 25 years the director of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Program in the Humanities and Human Values. He is the author of two books and more than forty articles dealing with religion, morality, and education. There will be two guest speakers during the week: Lilian Furst, Marcel Bataillon Professor of Comparative Literature; and Reginald Hildebrand, Associate Professor of History and Afro-American Studies. TIME AND DATES. The seminar will begin with a reception, dinner, orientation and discussion on Sunday evening, July 13, and will conclude at noon on Friday, July 18. THE FEE of $250 covers single rooms at a nearby hotel, most meals, readings, and tuition. The cost of the seminar would be $1,000 per person, but support from the Roger M. and May Belle Penn Jones Fund enables us to offer it for the lower amount. (A $50 cancellation fee will apply.) Teachers are responsible for their travel to and from Chapel Hill. The seminar will qualify teachers for 5.0 UNITS OF RENEWAL CREDIT. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Edgar Marston: 919-843-9388 or edgar_marston@unc.edu Excerpts from the evaluations of recent teachers' seminars on “MAKING SENSE OF GOOD AND EVIL” “I almost quit teaching. This workshop has rekindled my passion.” “Life changing!” “In my years of teaching, I have never attended a seminar in which I have gained so much. To be able to sit in the company of such a diverse, well-educated and well-read group of people and share experiences and ideas has added so much meaning and insight for me both personally and professionally.” “I feel privileged to have been a part of this seminar. I can’t possibly express what I have experienced this week.” “This seminar reaffirmed both my faith and confidence in myself and my teaching colleagues. Rarely are teachers provided such a unique opportunity to think, question, challenge and affirm. I am invigorated and inspired. Thank you.” “Giving teachers the opportunity to get together and discuss important ideas and share ideas for a whole week: what a gift!” “An unforgettable event that will forever help to shape my education and educating abilities.” “There was an amazing esprit de corps showing through the week…. A wonderful experience!” “For the first time since Graduate School (24 years ago) I engaged in real academic endeavors.” A TENTATIVE AGENDA
****************************************************************************** Name:________________________________________________________________________ Home Address:_________________________________ City:________________Zip:________ Home Phone:___________________________________Email:__________________________ School:________________________________________School Phone____________________ Subjects/Grades You Teach:_______________________________________________________ Please Return this form by FAX (919-962-4318) or mail to For information about this seminar, please contact Edgar Marston at 919/843-9388 or send e-mail inquiries to edgar_marston@unc.edu. |