RLST 105 - Franciscan Goals for Today

(3 credits)

Saint Francis of Assisi called for a profound response to the needs of the world. This course invites students to appeal to the saint’s life and writings, along with contemporary thinkers, to reflect on current world issues in order to develop attentive, intelligent, reasonable, responsible, virtuous responses to global concerns – particularly the U.N. Millennium Development Goals: “1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, 2. Achieve universal primary education, 3. Promote gender equality and empower women, 4. Reduce child mortality, 5. Improve maternal health, 6. Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases, 7. Ensure environmental sustainability, 8. Develop a global partnership for development.” Particular emphasis will be given to Francis’ sense of the mystery of God as the Humble One – the pre-eminent Servant who invites us to serve. (There are no prerequisites for this course.)