Abstract

This paper outlines a pedagogical model for a sophomore level World Civilization course. The guiding question of the course is to explore the ways in which philosophers can transform an interdisciplinary syllabus into a course that attends to larger philosophical and ethical issues commonly found in a philosophy course. The author applies Aristotle's discussion of virtues to construct a unique approach to cultural studies. The author uses this model to push students to examine and refine their beliefs and values in order to develop personal integrity and to articulate their reasons to live. The model also develops students’ skills for thinking about their own and other cultures and to develop tolerance toward other worldviews. Tolerance, in the context of the virtue model, necessitates that students understand others’ beliefs in such a way that they allow others to pursue a way of life that they would never choose for themselves.