The Great Conversation

The Great Conversation—Foundations in Thinking, Reading, and Writing (COR 107, 108/109 and 110)

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13 (NIV)

Course Overview
“What is the good life?”: though a question relevant to all, it is especially pertinent to students as they begin their college experience, decide on a vocation, and strive to integrate their faith into their studies and into their lives. In order to guide first-year students in addressing this question, the small seminar style class The Great Conversation—Foundations in Thinking, Reading, and Writing acts as a guide to Gordon students as they enter the “great conversation” that constitutes the Christian liberal arts tradition.

Throughout The Great Conversation, particular focus is placed on introducing students to the basic principles of college writing: through the process of writing, revising, and receiving feedback on several essays, students are instructed in a variety of writing genres and will learn to contextualize their own work within a greater literary and scholarly tradition. While seeking to better engage with this tradition, students will also be expected to read a selection of essays, novels, and short stories, and to attend several film showings.

Service Learning (COR107)
The Great Conversation offers several service-learning sections, in which students volunteer together in local communities.

TGC A. J. Honors and Clarendon (COR 108/109)
The Great Conversation Global Honors and Clarendon sections extend four credits over two semesters, allowing for more in-depth conversation for these select cohorts.

TGC Focus on the Liberal Arts (COR 110)
The Great Conversation, Liberal Arts is available for those students who have met their composition requirement with AP Language (score 4 or 5) or are transferring in a college writing course. This section is two credits for one semester and covers course themes with a focus on reading and discussion.

TGC Peer Mentors
TGC Peer Mentors provide academic support and model student leadership. By offering assistance with writing, aiding students in the transition into college life, and providing a sounding board for students, Peer Mentors are role models both in and out of the classroom.

For more information, contact Andrew Logemann at [email protected].