‘Engagements with the Common Good,’ is a common phrase that all current Cabrini University students and alumni know too well. For those who do not know what this phrase means, it is a course that is implemented into Cabrini’s curriculum. The course is a way to teach its mission, “Education of the Heart.”
There are three different levels of Engagements with the Common Good that each student at Cabrini is required to complete during their semesters. The university’s mission also states that it is dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development and commitment to social justice. Each level of ECG ties in with the mission.
The first level also known as ECG 100 is a writing course that studies individuals in various communities. During this level, students will learn from a variety of perspectives on gender, race, class and more.
In the next level, students start to engage more with the surrounding community and local partnerships. Sophomore marketing major, Katie Kucia, is currently taking ECG 200- Hope Worx: Advocacy & Empowerment.
“I heard good reviews about the class and wanted to learn more about mental health. It is a really interesting topic because it affects a lot of people today and is a major issue in today’s society,” she said.
This ECG 200 course gives insight on mental health and illness and works with a local community organization. The class recently took a field trip to the Hope Worx building and met with those who are affected by mental illness.
“We were able to meet with the director of Hope Worx and all of the workers there who struggle with mental health issues themselves. They told us their stories and how some of them have been convicted for their illness because they have no control over it. It was a really interesting experience,” Kucia said. This is an example of one of the courses offered at Cabrini University and there are more just like it on other topics of injustice.
This is an example of one of the courses offered at Cabrini University and there are more just like it on other topics of injustice.
The last level of ECG that is offered at Cabrini discusses topics on social justice. Students are able to learn about social justice topics that are major issues around the world and in the local community. An ECG 300 course that has been known for advocating about global issues is ‘Working for Global Justice.’
During this course, students learn about the Syrian refugee crisis, human trafficking, climate change and poverty. All of these issues affect millions of people around the world and it is the current generation’s duty to use their voices to help raise awareness.
“What I liked most about the course was the fact that it allowed us to learn about things that are happening in the world that we may not even be had known about without the course. Knowledge of these situations that are occurring are the first step to being able to help and I liked that this course opened up our eyes to that,” Jake Cheeseman, a junior graphic design major, said.
Engagements with the Common Good teaches students to strive for something better and help them make a positive mark in society. There are multiple topics for everyone to enjoy and find interest in. Each year there is a new lesson to learn and help build character before students graduate Cabrini University.
At the end of the course, students travel to Washington D.C. where they meet with representatives of congressmen and senators. They discuss the issues that they have learned throughout the course and advocate them to help make a change.
“At the end of the day, it made you feel pretty good about yourself because you know you took the opportunity to make a difference when there are a lot of others out there that wish they could do the same but are not lucky enough to have that opportunity,” Cheeseman said.
