UNCC100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Katherine Paterson, Rank, The Good Life
Katherine Paterson
UNCC100 Self + Community
Week 2
-1.1 THE VALUES OF AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
•ACU’s Mission + Vision to have graduates who "will be skilled in their chosen fields, ethical in their
behaviour, with a developed critical habit of mind, an appreciation of the sacred in life, and a
commitment to serving the common good."
•ACU prepares graduates to be professionally competent, knowledgeable and skilful. Furthermore: be
ethically informed/ethical perspectives in decision making, demonstrate respect/dignity for others/
diversity; responsibility for environment, others and common good.
•UNCC100 introduces “Catholic Social Thought” (common good focus). ACU’s foundations are based
on the Church’s teachings on social justice and the common good which are key to promoting
human flourishing.
-1.2 THE ACU GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
•Graduate attributes are gradually developed over degree. UNCC unit focuses on the following:
•GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity
•GA4 - think critically and reflectively
•^ addressed through unit content and activities such as reflection on yourself + profession
•GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively
•GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media
•^ addressed through additional resources + Graduate Attributes Form (final submit sem end)
-1.3 THE GOOD LIFE AND THE GOLDEN RULE
-1.3.1 WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD LIFE?
•How we thrive. Opportunities to realise potential. Need versus want. Inequities challenging
humans with individualism, consumerism, and materialism.
-1.3.2 WHAT IS THE GOLDEN RULE?
•The Golden Rule is the 'Ethic of Reciprocity' or the universal ethical principle transcends cultures,
religions, ethical systems and secular philosophies.
•The simple, universal and powerful rule has the capacity to be the ethical cornerstone in building
a peaceful, just and sustainable society.
-ACTIVITY 1
•What do you think constitutes “the good life”?
•How do you respond to the author’s proposals about happiness and meaning?
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