Thought and Creativity 3 (PiC3) is the third and final course in the Thought and Creativity programme, a formative itinerary that, over three years, introduces students to six major works of the Western literary and philosophical tradition with the aim of contributing to their integral development as individuals.
In this third year, the programme focuses on sociopolitical issues: through the reading and commentary of two classical works, students will address questions related to social organisation, power, justice, inequality and collective responsibility.
The course consists of two parts. The Great Books sessions are devoted to guided reading and commentary on the texts and to developing students’ argumentative skills. The Social Action Internship (PAS), which can be carried out throughout the academic year, consists of a social commitment placement (40h) that puts holistic education into practice by raising students’ awareness of the social needs in their immediate environment.
Upper-intermediate level of the language of instruction of the course.
The course aims to foster critical reflection, through literary and philosophical texts, on fundamental sociopolitical problems, as well as to consolidate students’ ability to take a reasoned position on these problems, both orally and in writing. It also seeks to promote active social engagement through direct experience in social action internships.
1. Great Books
1.1. Contextual and conceptual introduction to Plato and the Symposium.
1.2. Reading and commentary sessions.
1.3. Practical analysis of a problem related to reading.
1.4. Basic structure of an argumentative text. Definition of the dilemma and introduction to the thesis. Arguments in favor.
1.5. Contextual and conceptual introduction to Jane Austen.
1.6. Reading and commentary sessions.
1.7. Practical analysis of a problem related to reading.
1.8. Basic structure of an argumentative text. Counterarguments. Conclusion.
2. Social Action Internship
2.1. Internship
2.2. Reflection Video
Thought and Creativity 3 will connect the texts worked on with current issues related to the student experience.
To this end, the Great Books sessions will be based on the methodology of reading and commenting on texts. This commented reading will be complemented by the Argumentation and Debate Workshop, based on the case study method and problem classes, which will encourage dialogue, cooperative work, and group reflection. Besides, following the practice of just-in-time teaching, the student will have to take notes (handwriting) in a notebook and read some texts at home in order to, once in class, think together about the practical problems raised by the works.
Regarding the Social Action Internship, students will have to carry out social commitment internships (40 hours), which can be of various types that will be specified at the beginning of the course.
The course follows a continuous assessment system and consists of two parts: Great Books (70% of the final grade) and Social Action Internship (30%). Both parts must be passed in order to pass the course.
Great Books is assessed each semester through:
- attendance and participation (25%),
- Midterm Exam 1 (30%), and
- Midterm Exam 2 (45%).
The final grade is the average of both semesters (50% + 50%), with a minimum of 4 in each semester.
Social Action Internship is assessed through:
- supervisor’s grade (50%),
- video reflection (40%), and
- PAS tutor’s assessment (10%).
The following aspects will be assessed:
• The ability to identify and formulate the ethical, anthropological or sociopolitical problems raised by the texts studied.
• The argumentative quality and coherence of written work in examinations.
• The acquisition and appropriate use of the conceptual content covered in class.
• The ability to take a reasoned and consistent position on the problems raised by the texts, connecting them with the current world.
• Active and constructive participation in sessions, demonstrating prior reflective reading.
• In the case of the Social Action Internship, involvement in volunteering, the quality of the video reflection, and the capacity for individual reflection on the experience.
- Plato, Symposium. Translated by Robert Waterfield, Oxford World Classics (2000).
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Classics (2002).
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