PHIL4242 · Philosophy

The Ethics of Accompaniment: East Africa

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

This course will explore the complicated and urgent problem of refugees and forced migration, in the specific context of East Africa. Our approach will have three dimensions: attention to the social, political and environmental conditions; theoretical analysis from philosophy, theology, and social theory; and activeaccompanimentof refugees in the form work with them and for them as facilitated by theJesuit Refugee Servicesin East Africa. Our central aim will be to generate and practice the mode of responsibility defined by what the Society of Jesus calls accompaniment. Students will be expected to read and discuss a variety of texts, attend invited lectures and workshops, andparticipate in an overnight retreatprior to the immersion experience in East Africa. There will be examination on the academic materials prior to departure from the United States, organized reflection while in East Africa, and a reflection paper grounded in scholarly research will be due some weeks after our return. We will be in Uganda for one month, beginning in early June.