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Life Worth Living is an initiative of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School.
North Carolina State University EAC 762
Meaning and Purpose in Higher Education
Alyssa N. Rockenbach (she/her) is Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at North Carolina State University.
A reflective course exploring meaning, purpose, and values in higher education. Students engage philosophical, religious, and educational perspectives to shape a personal vision for impactful, purpose-driven work in the field.
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meaning and purpose in higher education
EAC 762
North Carolina State University
Taught by Alyssa N. Rockenbach
Course Description
Meaning and Purpose in Higher Education invites graduate students pursuing careers in higher education to cast a vision for their work that is attuned to and grounded in the deeper purposes, values, and philosophies that matter most to them. The course engages perspectives from a variety of philosophical and religious traditions as well as inspirational writings from educators and theorists who reflect different identity narratives and various historical and contemporary moments and movements. Learners will also delve into research that illuminates the complex story of meaning, purpose, spirituality, and religion in higher education communities across time. Taught in a hybrid format, this course weaves together opportunities for contemplative individual work alongside interdependent work and dialogue in a community of practice
Course Materials
There is one required book for this class:
Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz (2023)
All readings and course materials are available on Moodle. I made every effort to select timely, engaging pieces to coincide with each unit’s theme. I gave a lot of thought to representing different identity narratives across our readings this semester. I considered authors’ identities and the populations featured in the articles when selecting readings. In addition to the readings, you may be asked to watch videos or listen to podcasts before class meetings that focus on the theme for the day. Links to the video and podcasts are provided in Moodle.
meaning and purpose in higher education
EAC 762
North Carolina State University
Taught by Alyssa N. Rockenbach
Course Description
Meaning and Purpose in Higher Education invites graduate students pursuing careers in higher education to cast a vision for their work that is attuned to and grounded in the deeper purposes, values, and philosophies that matter most to them. The course engages perspectives from a variety of philosophical and religious traditions as well as inspirational writings from educators and theorists who reflect different identity narratives and various historical and contemporary moments and movements. Learners will also delve into research that illuminates the complex story of meaning, purpose, spirituality, and religion in higher education communities across time. Taught in a hybrid format, this course weaves together opportunities for contemplative individual work alongside interdependent work and dialogue in a community of practice
Course Materials
There is one required book for this class:
Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz (2023)
All readings and course materials are available on Moodle. I made every effort to select timely, engaging pieces to coincide with each unit’s theme. I gave a lot of thought to representing different identity narratives across our readings this semester. I considered authors’ identities and the populations featured in the articles when selecting readings. In addition to the readings, you may be asked to watch videos or listen to podcasts before class meetings that focus on the theme for the day. Links to the video and podcasts are provided in Moodle.
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