Catholic intellectual tradition (CIT)

, you will summarize and then respond to a text from the Catholic intellectual tradition (from our readings textbook, Unit 2, p. 87-122, four selections) that addresses a concept or idea related to reading, writing, and / or rhetoric.

According UD’s statement,
“The Catholic intellectual tradition asks what light the Catholic tradition in its various forms of expression can shed on human questions and experiences. It also asks what light human events, discoveries, and reflections can bring to the Catholic tradition.

“Catholic thought certainly expresses itself in theological and philosophical conclusions but also in other arenas of human creativity such as music, worship, literature, government, education, science, and history.”

A response can take multiple forms:
Agree
Corroborate the existing text by supplying additional support for its claims—provide more evidence, or examples, or clarify the logic, or enhance its presentation.
Disagree
Refute the claims of the text by providing contrasting evidence or by critiquing the logic.
Modify
Some combination of the above two approaches—select some claims as worth supporting and furthering, while pointing out others claims that are best discarded.

This response will take the form of a 4-5 page essay in which you demonstrate a close reading of the original text, an in-depth engagement with the concepts it presents, and a critical examination of its claims.

As with the literacy narrative paper, this paper requires a strong thesis statement—a statement of what the original text claims, and of your position on those claims (whether agreeing, disagreeing, or modifying).

Because this is an academic paper and does not involve personal narrative, do not use the first person pronoun “I.”

No external sources are required; you are responding to only a single text (although if your claims involve the citation of additional sources, you may do so.)