📧 VoW course development w/ Hauerwas
August 3, 2016, 4:26 PM
From: Logan M. Isaac
To: Stanley Hauerwas
Subject: draft proposal
Attached is the first pass at a proposal. I am not at the office where I keep all my most relevant books, but I can send a more developed reading list later. I added Keegan and Ricks after we talked on the phone. If Stanford bites, I'll also add much more detail for a weekly plan and formal policies for students to keep in mind and write on.
I am trying to get a much more polished draft done before the end of the week. There are folks helping me that have asked for something by Friday, so any input you can provide before then would be helpful. But I promised you this would be low commitment for you so no worries if not.
peace
August 4, 2016, 5:39 AM
From: Stanley Hauerwas
To: Logan M. Isaac
Subject: Re: draft proposal
Dear Logan,
I remembered a book that is central for what you are about: Nancy Sherman, The Warrior's Virtues (I may have the title not quite right).
The only suggestion I have is you might want to focus the course on a virtue such as courage. If you did so, you could get an interesting contrast between Aristotle and Aquinas. The former thought courage in war to be the highest form of courage, but Aquinas thought martyrdom was the highest. You might look at the chapter on courage in Christians among the Virtues. I think it looks like a first rate course.
Peace,
Stan
August 4, 2016, 8:18 AM
From: Logan M. Isaac
To: Stanley Hauerwas
Subject: Re: draft proposal
Sherman, you're absolutely right. I'll find the most pertinent of her books. I think it is "warrior virtues."
I definitely think focusing on specific virtues will occur, maybe after an overview of their history. I'd also want to question which virtues derive from martial training, so a good grasp of particular virtues would be important.
August 9, 2016, 11:57 AM
From: Stanley Hauerwas
To: Logan M. Isaac
Subject: Re: draft proposal
Dear Logan,
It is a terrific course, but the readings are probably too long, but that can be adjusted. Well done.
Stan
August 10, 2016, 5:27 AM
From: Stanley Hauerwas
To: Logan M. Isaac
Subject: Re: draft proposal
Dear Logan,
I printed it off yesterday. It is extraordinary. His point that we no longer know what war is is very important. Thank for finding it.
Stan
August 25, 2016, 5:59 AM
From: Stanley Hauerwas
To: Logan M. Isaac
Subject: Re: draft proposal
Dear Logan,
I think the first paper is too vague. You will get a lot of generalizations that have not been thought through. See if you can come up with an assignment that makes them think, for example, about courage and why courage is a virtue.
Stan
September 21, 2016, 3:14 PM
From: Logan M. Isaac
To: Stanley Hauerwas
Subject: Course update
Hey Stanley,
I'm sorry I haven't updated you about the course. I think I mentioned to you the likelihood it would get picked up, and we discussed (on the phone) that you could commit to sessions that you could be present for to engage the students. Let me know if that has changed.
Mike Munger is the Director of Undergraduate Studies at Political Science, and he approved the course as a Special Topic and we're listing it as a 300-level course. It will be cross-listed with Kenan Center on Ethics and the Center for Documentary Studies as well. This means we might have graduate students try to enroll, in which case I may want to create a different additional requirement reflecting expectations for an advanced student. I am working with the program coordinator now to secure a room and dates/times for the course. I told her I prefer Tues/Thurs and I cannot do evenings, so let me know if you have restrictions on timing that she needs to know about as well.
I have not updated the proposal/syllabus yet, but I am getting to work on that now. I did manage to get the Stoic Warriors book by Nancy Sherman, and I think I will require it. The Thomas Ricks book might be harder, and I am wondering if John Keegan's The Face of Battle is the ideal book. If I find another to use, I will ask your thoughts before committing to it.
When I have made progress on the syllabus (including greater specifics on individual virtues as you mentioned), I will pass it by you for approval. I invite your feedback, but again, I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. Any and all active participation you are interested in is most welcome. I'd love for this course to reflect your theological imprint as much as possible.
Peace
September 21, 2016, 3:47 PM
From: Stanley Hauerwas
To: Logan M. Isaac
Subject: Re: Course update
Dear Logan,
I am teaching a course on disability in the Spring, and I do not know when it will meet, but a Tuesday I think is OK. I think I would commit to three or four classes. Keegan's book is terrific. I am so pleased they are letting you do this.
Stan
September 21, 2016, 12:14 PM
From: Logan M. Isaac
To: Stanley Hauerwas
Subject: Course Update
Hey Stanley,
I'm sorry I haven't updated you about the course. I think I mentioned to you the likelihood it would get picked up, and we discussed (on the phone) that you could commit to 4-5 sessions that you could be present for to engage the students. Let me know if that has changed.
Mike Munger is the Director of Undergraduate Studies at Political Science, and he approved the course as a Special Topic, and we're listing it as a 400 level course. It will be cross listed with Kenan Center on Ethics and the Center for Documentary Studies as well. This means we might have graduate students try to enroll, in which case I may want to create a different/additional requirement reflecting expectations for an advanced student. I am working with the program coordinator now to secure a room and dates/times for the course. I told her I prefer Tues/Thurs and I cannot do evenings, so let me know if you have restrictions on timing that she needs to know about as well.
I have not updated the proposal/syllabus yet, but I am getting to work on that now. I did manage to get the Stoic Warriors book by Nancy Sherman and I think I will require it. The Thomas Ricks book might be harder, and I am wondering if John Keegan's The Face of Battle is the ideal book. If I find another to use, I will ask your thoughts before committing to it. When I have made progress on the syllabus (including greater specifics on individual virtues as you mentioned), I will pass it by you for approval. I invite your feedback, but again, I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. Any and all active participation you are interested in is most welcome; I'd love for this course to reflect your theological imprint as much as possible.
September 21, 2016, 12:47 PM
From: Stanley Hauerwas
To: Logan M. Isaac
Subject: Re: Course Update
Dear Logan:
I am teaching a course on disability in the Spring and I do not know when it will meet, but a Tuesday I think is OK. I think I would commit to three or four classes. Keegan's book is terrific. I am so pleased they are letting you do this.
Stan
