Love as a Force for Social Justice from Coursera

The objectives of this course are:

-To introduce participants to different concepts of love, to empower them to be conscious of the power of love and the possibility of practicing it in everyday life, and to highlight in particular the idea of love as a force for social justice.

-To communicate a sense of personal strength and empowerment by actively learning from each other and beginning to define how participants can apply their learning in service to society.

This course will explore the concept of agape love (compassion/kindness) as a force for social justice and action and as the inspiration for service and the application of knowledge to positive social change. Biological, psychological, religious, and social perspectives of love will be discussed, drawing on the expertise of people from a variety of disciplines.

During the six-week course, the following topics will be raised and discussed: kinds of love/defining love; non-violent communication; love and the biology of the brain; love as a basic concept of religious and ethical beliefs (e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Gandhian); love applied in action, and poetic expressions of love as a social force. This curriculum aims to foster a sense of the importance of love as a key phenomenon in creating community, connection, and functional societies among humans.

Course materials will draw from a variety of sources. One of the goals of the class is to provide participants with some knowledge of the literature of love, and readings for the course are listed in the outline of the course on the pages that follow.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Course introduction

Words and the Meaning of Love

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on the application of the concept of love as a force for social justice and action, empowering learners to practice love in their daily lives and apply their learning in service to society

Emphasizes the significance of love as a key phenomenon in fostering community, connection, and functional societies

Provides a comprehensive understanding of love from various perspectives, including biological, psychological, religious, and social

Taught by Anne Firth Murray, who specializes in social justice, ethics, and human rights

May require learners to actively participate in discussions and apply their learning in real-world situations

While the course aims to empower learners, it may not provide specific technical skills or job-specific knowledge

Reviews summary

Love's role in social justice

Learners say this course offers a deeply thought-provoking exploration of love as a force for social justice. The curriculum is well-structured, drawing from a broad range of disciplines including biology, psychology, and various religious and ethical beliefs. Many find it personally inspiring and a positive experience that challenges their perspectives. However, some note that the wide scope means individual topics may sometimes feel superficial. There's a perceived balance between theoretical foundations and practical application, with some learners seeking more concrete strategies for real-world action.

Mix of conceptual depth and practical application.

"Strong on philosophical context, needed more concrete strategies."

"Attempts to connect theory to practical 'Love in Action' sections."

Modules and content flow logically.

"The modules were well-structured and easy to follow."

"Course outline seems logical."

Covers many fields; broadens perspective.

"Explores love from biology, psychology, religion..."

"Appreciated seeing perspectives from different fields."

Challenges thinking and motivates reflection.

"Deeply thought-provoking course."

"Very inspiring; reframed my understanding."

Wide scope can make topics feel superficial.

"Because it covers so much, it sometimes felt a bit superficial..."

"Good introduction, but needs more focused study for depth."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Love as a Force for Social Justice with these activities:

Re-familiarize Yourself with Key Concepts of Love

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Reinforce your understanding of love in a romantic context.

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Review readings or notes on different theories of love.

Read The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm

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Gain insights into the complexities and challenges of love from a renowned philosopher.

View The Art of Listening on Amazon

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Read and reflect on key chapters exploring the nature of love.
Summarize the author's perspectives on the different types of love.

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Career center

Learners who complete Love as a Force for Social Justice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Worker

Social Workers may use this course to develop a stronger theoretical foundation for carrying out their daily duties. The coursework covers communications, psychology, sociology, biology, and religion. There is significant overlap between these subjects and the work of a Social Worker. What's more, this course will help a Social Worker empathize with and support those they serve.

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Minister

Ministers may use this course to further develop their understanding of religion. They may also use this course to consider how ethics and love work in practice. Ministers already support their communities, and the coursework of this class will help them clarify these processes. The class also covers communications and biology.

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Sociologist

Sociologists may find this course helpful in developing a deeper understanding of the social forces that shape human behavior. This is particularly relevant to their work studying societies and cultures. The course covers relevant subjects like psychology, religion, biology, sociology itself, and the ethics of different systems of thought.

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Psychologist

Psychologists may be able to apply the concepts of this course to better understand and support their clients. The course covers topics such as communication, biology, and religion. These are quite relevant to psychology in both theoretical and practical applications.

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Professor

Professors may find this course helpful in enriching their curricula. The course covers topics like communication, biology, religion, and ethics. These are all valuable to teaching a wide range of subjects. The course may also help professors better serve the students who pass through their classrooms.

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Lawyer

Lawyers often draw on ethics and psychology to perform their jobs. They must also communicate effectively and understand the social forces that shape the legal system. This course may be helpful to lawyers in developing these skills, as it covers all of the aforementioned subjects.

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Physician

Physicians may find this course helpful for developing a more holistic approach to patient care. The course covers psychology, sociology, biology, and religion. These subjects will help Physicians better serve their patients by gaining a better understanding of their beliefs, customs, and behaviors.

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Philosopher

Philosophers may find this course helpful as it covers ethics, religion, and the social forces that shape human behavior. While the course does not directly teach philosophy, it does cover subjects that are relevant to philosophical inquiry.

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Teacher

Teachers may use this course to develop a stronger foundation in the subjects they teach as well as learning new teaching strategies. The course covers religion, psychology, and communications. These are valuable subjects for any teacher.

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Counselor

Counselors may find this course helpful in developing a deeper understanding of how to support their clients. This is particularly relevant to their work helping people overcome personal and interpersonal challenges. The course also covers biology and religion.

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Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit Executive Directors may find this course helpful in gaining a better understanding of the social justice issues that their organizations address. The course covers ethics, religion, sociology, and the social forces that shape human behavior. These subjects are quite relevant to leading a successful nonprofit.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers will benefit from the communication skills and discussions on ethical thought in this course. Empathy and strong communication skills are vital to this role, as is the ability to approach challenges from a number of directions. Most work performed by Human Resource Managers involves working with people, and this course may help people in this position to do just that.

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Journalist

Journalists can benefit from the strong focus on communications and ethical thought in this course. The course will help to foster a deeper understanding of how to apply ethics to their work and communicate their insights to others. Investigative journalists may find the course particularly useful.

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Politician

Politicians may find the course helpful in their work with constituents and in developing policy. The course can help politicians to better understand the needs of their constituents and will teach them how to better communicate with them. The insights gained from the coursework may provide the foundation to form effective policy.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers may use this course to enhance their service to their communities. The course will teach them how to be more effective in their work and will also help them to better understand ethical thought. The course will also sharpen their communication skills, which can be vital to building and fostering relationships and community.

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Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Love as a Force for Social Justice.

From Outrage to Courage

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Collection of essays by Anne Firth Murray on the topic of love as a force for social justice.

From Outrage to Courage: The Unjust and Unhealthy...

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From Outrage to Courage: Women Taking Action for...

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Meaning and Method

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Explores the concept of agape love (compassion/kindness) as a force for social justice and action and as the inspiration for service and the application of knowledge to positive social change.

Meaning and Method: Prolegomena to a Scientific...

Paperback