Discourse on Social Action

Unit 1: Basic Concepts

About this course

Participants explore a few fundamental concepts that help create a discourse on social action such as the purpose of existence, human nature, and the relationship between the individual and social institutions. They are asked to reflect on the historical moment through which humanity is passing, and on the nature of a twofold moral purpose – to transform both oneself and society – that is to give direction to our endeavors. The text examines two essential forces that should continually operate in our lives, attraction to beauty and thirst for knowledge, and proposes that moral purpose can only be pursued through a life of service to humanity. It ends by exploring yet another idea that is crucial to social action: true service requires a humble and sincere posture of learning.

The course emphasizes the importance of language as a tool that permits reflection on experience in an orderly manner and seeks to strengthen powers of written and spoken expression in order that aims and goals may be more precisely articulated and the nature of action and learning more clearly described.

Commitment

After many years of offering courses online, we have found that the study of educational materials at a distance requires a good degree of time and effort on the part of the tutor and the participants. Time and effort are required not only to engage with the content of the course, but to use the online platforms in a manner that fosters engagement, which is so central to learning. We have also found that the study is enriching and rewarding when attended to well, when the tutor and the student dedicated the time required to read, to think, to share and to consult.

Regarding this course, students need to set aside time each week to read, complete written assignments, and participate in discussions, including 5 live group discussions, which are approximately 2 hours in duration. While the time required varies from person to person, a guideline would be about 5 hours per week.

Unit 2: Education

About this course

This is the second in a series of courses exploring the theme of a discourse on social action. It will be of particular interest to those working or interested in the field of education. The course aims to help participants reflect on the purpose of education in the context of preparing individuals to participate in social action aimed at the advancement of civilization. Among the topics explored are: The aim of education; the enhancement of understanding, distinguishing concepts, and information; the fragmentation of knowledge. theory and practice, coherence between the material and spiritual, capabilities and moral empowerment.

As with the first course in this series, emphasis is placed on the importance of language as a tool that permits reflection on experience in an orderly manner and seeks to strengthen powers of written and spoken expression in order that aims and goals may be more precisely articulated and the nature of action and learning more clearly described.

Commitment

After many years of offering courses online, we have found that the study of educational materials at a distance requires a good degree of time and effort on the part of the tutor and the participants. Time and effort are required not only to engage with the content of the course, but to use the online platforms in a manner that fosters engagement, which is so central to learning.  We have also found that the study is enriching and rewarding when attended to well, when the tutor and the student dedicated the time required to read, to think, to share and to consult. 

Regarding this course, students need to set aside time each week to read, complete written assignments, and participate in discussions, including 5 live group discussions, which are approximately 2 hours in duration. While the time required varies from person to person, a guideline would be about 7 hours per week.

Unit 3: Science

About this course

The third unit in this series explores the nature of scientific activity, which is central to the work of social action if it is to be effective. The pursuit of a twofold moral purpose, as described in the first unit, demands that we approach life as an investigator of reality and a seeker after truth. Such investigation requires we equip ourselves with skills, attitudes, knowledge, an understanding that enables us to observe, to measure, to design and carry out experiments, to identify patterns and relationships, to elaborate models of various parts of reality, and to apply the theories that have already been elaborated in one or another scientific community. These are some of the central activities of science which are carried out over and over again as scientists try to advance human knowledge. The course helps participants gain insights into the nature of these activities by examining a few familiar concepts, including models and theories, validity, reality, ambiguity, rationality, and objectivity. 

As with the first two courses in this series, emphasis is placed on the importance of language as a tool that permits reflection on experience in an orderly manner and seeks to strengthen powers of written and spoken expression in order that aims and goals may be more precisely articulated and the nature of action and learning more clearly described.

Commitment

After many years of offering courses online, we have found that the study of educational materials at a distance requires a good degree of time and effort on the part of the tutor and the participants. Time and effort are required not only to engage with the content of the course, but to use the online platforms in a manner that fosters engagement, which is so central to learning.  We have also found that the study is enriching and rewarding when attended to well, when the tutor and the student dedicated the time required to read, to think, to share and to consult. 

Regarding this course, students need to set aside time each week to read, complete written assignments, and participate in discussions, including 5 live group discussions, which are approximately 2 hours in duration. While the time required varies from person to person, a guideline would be about 7 hours per week.