NO CLASS THURSDAY 4/30 EITHER

All the careful planning in the world can sometimes be disrupted by microbes. I'm afraid I have to cancel this Thursday's class as well. (In case you're interested, my mother-in-law, who was supposed to cover for me at home with the new baby, has come down with strep throat. Don't feel obligated to keep up with my family situation, but you deserve an explanation.)

So we'll push back the Gerges article, and the jihad discussion, one more session - to next Tuesday, May 5. My sincere apologies for canceling another class - I will do my best to make sure the rest of the semester moves smoothly.

This also means that I will probably adjust the summary guidelines still further, but let's discuss on Tuesday.

NO CLASS TUESDAY 4/28

The good news: Tristan Paige Meagher, born Thursday night! The bad news (or not so bad, depending on how badly you want to skip class): I still need a few more days at home with her and Mom. So NO CLASS on Tuesday, 4/28. We will discuss the Gerges essay on Thursday, 4/30 instead (and summaries will be postponed until then as well). As a result of yet another delay, I will adjust the number of required summaries downward to 8. (We'll discuss this on Thursday.) See you then.

Assignment for Tuesday, 4/28

Here's the announcement you've all been waiting for: there will be NO class on Thursday, April 23. I'm planning on having a baby instead.

This means that our next class (and summary deadline) is Tuesday, April 28. So for Tuesday, please read "Iraq War Fuels Global Jihad," by Fawaz A. Gerges, available here. Feel free to summarize (and many of you should feel compelled to do so).

Assignment for Tuesday, 4/21

For Tuesday, read "The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace," a publication of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Pay particular attention to Section I, where the piece discusses just war theory and conscience. The reading is available here.

Feel free to summarize (and remember that we will soon run out of summary opportunities). Also keep an eye on this page and the MMC website for updates on baby stuff.

Assignment for Thursday, 4/16

(Remember, there is no reading for Tuesday's talk by Austin Dacey.) For the Thursday after break, read the following excerpts from Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion:

• Excerpts from Chapter 7 ("The Good Book") and 8 ("Why So Hostile?), available on the BBC online
• Excerpt from Chapter 1 ("undeserved respect") on wattpad

Feel free to write ONE summary that covers both excerpts (link available on turnitin.com as usual).

Austin Dacey on Tuesday, 4/14

There is no assignment over the break. But we will be meeting back in the Regina Peruggi room (Main, 2nd floor) when we return to see the following Philosophy Forum talk:

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"THE SECULAR CONSCIENCE: Why Belief Belongs in Public Life"
Tuesday, April 14, 6-8 p.m. in the Regina Peruggi Room
(Co-sponsored by Philosophy & Religious Studies, English, and Political Science)

Dr. Austin Dacey will be speaking about his book The Secular Conscience and his recent work at the United Nations Human Rights Council on freedom of expression. He serves as a respresentative to the United Nations for the Center for Inquiry, a think tank concerned with the secular, scientific outlook. He is also on the editorial staff of Skeptical Inquirer and Free Inquiry magazines. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and his writings have appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times, USA Today, and Science.
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Remember that like the last time, you are not obligated to stay past 7:10pm, although I welcome you to do so. There will be a reading assigned for the following Thursday; keep your eyes on this space for that posting. Enjoy your break.