Jesuit Inspiration
In the past century, Jesuit leaders have emphasized the centrality of social justice in their mission to educate young people across the world. The emphasis on speaking well—which, for the Jesuits, has always been viewed as crucial for converting people to the Christian faith—has been extended into an emphasis on using technology to craft communication that inspires others to act with justice and mercy. As Pedro Arrupe, former General Superior of the Society of Jesus, concluded in a speech on the progress of Jesuit education:
"We must go to a map of the world and point out the critical points—geographical, sociological, cultural—where sin and injustice find their lodgment… To do this, technologies are needed to program analysis and action so that they will actually dislodge and dismantle injustice."
This aligns with a principle that Jesuits have held since their early work as missionaries in Asia: the need for adaptability in their work. Jesuits believe that while their mission shouldn't change, the way they realize that mission should adapt to the culture around them. Therefore, it is not enough for a Jesuit class to only teach forms of writing that wider society doesn’t typically read (e.g. MLA-format five-page persuasive essays). To be truly “Jesuit,” students and teachers must also adapt to the ways in which citizens of today’s world are making themselves heard.
After completing this assignment, students should be able to...