CLAR 101. The Intellectual Journey. An introduction to the life of intellectual inquiry based on themes from Bonaventure's The Mind's Journey into God. By means of a seminar format, Clare College faculty and students engage in reflective discussion, informed by the Bonaventurian spiritual vision, of substantive issues posed by the human community. In this manner writing and thinking skills are developed, verbal expression is encouraged, and foundational questions are explored with a view toward integrating the core area courses. 3 Credits.
Barbara Novak images for The Intellectual Journey.
CLAR 110. Composition and Critical Thinking I. The emphasis in this course is on exposition. Methods of development (narration, description, definition, and analysis) are explored by studying examples from the readings. At the end of studying each form of development, students are then called upon to create an essay that exemplifies that method. This course is a prerequisite for CLAR 111. 3 credits.
CLAR 111. Composition and Critical Thinking II. A further refinement of 110, CLAR 111 extends students' abilities by directing them to special writing assignments (argumentation, research, and aesthetic criticism). This is accompanied by an intensive examination of critical thinking itself. Once again, reading essays will serve as a foundation for students' own work. 3 credits.
CLAR 103. Foundations of the Western World. An introduction to the historical, intellectual, and religious roots of the Western culture intended to serve as a basis for developing a comprehensive understanding of that culture and of other cultures that are linked to or influenced by it. The course will present a historical perspective tracing major changes in the development of Western culture from ancient times to the present. 3 credits.
CLAR 105. Inquiry in the Social World. This course introduces the fundamental methods of formal inquiry into the social world. It offers definitions of the "social world" from the points of view of several social sciences and unravels the assumptions and methods of study of each. Emphasis is placed on comparing and contrasting the basic assumptions of sociology, political science, psychology, economics, and history by demonstrating how each social science approaches questions about the social world, particularly those involving normality, social inequity, and power. The consequences of choosing one particular social science over another to conduct research in the social world are examined. Emphasis is placed on student participation in and production of weekly seminars.
3 credits.
CLAR 206. Foundational Religious Texts of the Western World. This course introduces the foundational texts of the major Western religions, focusing largely upon the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. The goal of this course is to introduce a critical approach to foundational religious texts. Thus, the course provides not only an overview of the structure and content of these texts, but also an exposure to a critical methodology appropriate to an intelligent reading and sound interpretation of these religious texts. 3 credits.
CLAR 207. The Catholic-Franciscan Heritage. This course will provide a critical reflection on the essential elements of the Catholic-Franciscan tradition. After identifying traditional core beliefs, we will reflect critically upon these by providing supports for selected beliefs, offering responses to challenges, suggesting elucidations of concepts inherent in beliefs, investigating the presuppositions of the practices manifesting those beliefs, and the like. Issues of religious pluralism and inter-religious dialogue will be addressed. 3 credits.
CLAR 208. World Views. An interdisciplinary, team-taught introduction to major issues in various world regions, with special attention to global diversity of experiences and perspectives. Course content will vary from semester to semester, but some possible topics are human rights, the legacy of colonialism, indigenous peoples, comparative religions, women’s issues, and people and the environment. 3 credits.
CLAR 209. Art and Literature. An interdisciplinary study of literature and the arts of architecture, film, dance, music, painting photography, sculpture, and theater (drama). The aesthetic and thematic connections of the various texts and artifacts will be examined from the perspectives of the four modes of aesthetic response: the heroic, the lyric, the pastoral or elegiac, and the satiric. The course will emphasize the common elements of literary and artistic expression, and the integral nature of the student’s aesthetic response to both literature and the arts. 3 credits.
CLAR 302 & CLRL 302. Inquiry in the Natural World. An introduction to what we know about the physical universe and how we have discovered it. The process of scientific discovery is explored using major discoveries in the history of science as examples. Topics include the fundamental properties of matter and energy, the nature of chemical reactions, the use of energy by living things, the nature and property of DNA and its role in biological evolution, and the evolution of the human mind/brain. The course includes a combination of lecture, classroom discussion, and an experimental laboratory. 4 credits.
CLAR 304. The Good Life. This course will introduce students to questions about the nature of morality, major ethical theories, Roman Catholic moral reflection, contemporary and classical ethical dilemmas, and models of moral behavior and character. Students will learn basic concepts of morality and will apply these to contemporary personal and social ethical dilemmas. They will also learn about significant moral exemplars in human history.
3 credits.
CLAR 401. The University Forum. The capstone course of the Clare curriculum is a critical examination of a selected contemporary issue that may be studied by social and natural scientists, humanists, philosophers, and theologians, but which is not within the boundaries of any one discipline. Such issues would be open-ended, subject to reasonable disagreement, and of contemporary social, political and moral importance. Students will attend lectures, exhibitions and field experiences designed to develop an informed position on the selected topic. These larger meetings are accompanied by weekly seminars where students will prepare, present and debate researched essays on the common theme. The purpose of these essays is to demonstrate the student's analytical, oral and writing skills. A local action project, devoted to integrating students into the community, is also included in the course requirements. 2 credits.