I believe that we read Gaudium et Spes in a travel writing course because the document brings up critical points centered around the importance of traveling. The first point that is discussed through paragraph 60 is about the need to work diligently when making fundamental decisions. I believe that this is important to continuously think about because many economic and political decisions affect not only the person or people who are making the decision but also the people within the different political regions involved within a deal.
Another reason why we read Gaudium et Spes in a travel writing course is to make students aware of their right to culture. While growing up people have the responsibility to develop themselves culturally while also helping others. We can help others through community service, mission trips, or even simple tasks such as unloading their cart at a grocery store. I personally believe that making ourselves more culturally aware will help us to make more conscious decisions while making us realize the benefits of growing up in a first world country rather than a third world country. By reading Gaudium et Spes we can be reminded of our duty to not only develop culturally as well as our duty to be servant leaders.
A third reason as to why we read Gaudium et Spes is to show students different ways to use our leisure time. According to paragraph 61, the leisure time of most people has increased over time. Gaudium et Spes states that while it is important to use leisure time to relax, one can use leisure time to refine their character and become a tourist. Although Gaudium et Spes also states that leisure time can be used to preserve a communities spirit through sports and to bring people of different races and nations together. By reading this document in a travel writing class, students can learn about ways to spend their leisure time as well as how one can become more culturally developed.
Lastly, Gaudium et Spes demonstrates how important it is to walk away from an experience with a new meaning of culture. I think reading Gaudium et Spes helps give an understanding as to the deeper meaning of life and what can come about from immersing yourself in a new culture. This document also makes us realize how our decisions can affect those around us.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI really like that you focused your discussion on Gaudium et Spes, as I chose to write about Herodotus. You brought an awesome point to mind that I hadn't explored: being aware of everyone's right to culture. So often we get wrapped up in our "first world problems" we often forget, and even judge, other cultures. I think this ties in perfectly to the idea of traveling. In my response I explored how history is a major component to traveling. We must first understand how a culture developed and their past before we can explore why we find ourselves there. You hit on that same topic by using a different document. I think that this goes to show how important history, culture, and travel are together.
Bonus point for being the first to use 'first world problems'...
DeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteYou cover some very poignant topics. You talk about political and economic decision making and their ramifications and I agree that we should all be more careful and understanding of the consequences of our actions. I think it would be very interesting if you provided more detail or examples, in sort of a "call to action" way. You also discuss bringing to consciousness cultural awareness, it seems of not only different cultures but of our own. I think you really pulled out of Gaudium the most important topics and covered a general understanding of them very well.
Beautiful observations, Katie - as your commentors note, the idea of a right to culture is a powerful one...
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI really think you noted a few important things as to why reading Gaudium is imperative for our travel writing class. I really agree with you when it comes to helping out others. I think community service is a way to expand our culture and experience other perspectives. Many first world countries take for granted what is handed to us. Helping other cultures is very beneficial to our own customs because it makes us so much more diverse. I also liked how you explained leisure time because it can occur in so many different ways depending on the person. I believe you tied in Gaudium well because you emphasize how important it is to experience new cultures when you travel.
I think the phrase "right to culture" is just great. As you pointed out, Gaudium teaches us that we have a duty to make ourselves culturally aware and be proactive in creating a better world; we often complain about society but rarely think of how it got to the way it is. I think that travelling or reading about others' experiences with new cultures can actually teach us a lot about our own and highlight the ways in which we can work to change that. I think you did an awesome job of explaining the importance of Gaudium here, Katie!
ReplyDelete