New York Abstains "Courteously": Essays on Civil Discourse and Civic Responsibility

The idea for this collection of essays emerged from conversations about how the art of civil discourse has become increasingly less visible in American society today, particularly in political activities. At the same time, it is frustrating to realize that more Americans vote for contestants on shows like American Idol than usually vote in the November elections. The themes throughout New York Abstains “Courteously” touch on the very heart of what it means to be a responsible citizen, both in our own country and in the global community. While so many individuals speak about values today, it ultimately seems that the true values undergirding the United States are being overshadowed by partisan politics and private ideologies. The book’s contributors take a wide variety of approaches to civil discourse and civic responsibility. Each essay in this collection stands on its own and grows out of the author’s unique discipline and experience. The essays, however, are the fruit of ongoing collaboration and intersect with each other in many intriguing ways.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Kenneth J. Soprano, Ph.D. Introduction Chapter One: The Victims of the European Witchcraze: An Early Political Smear Campaign Marie A. Conn Chapter Two: Vertu: An Enlightenment Ideal Mary Helen Kashuba, SSJ Chapter Three: Civilizing the National Discourse: The Liberal Arts As Conversation in John Henry Newman's Idea of a University Barbara C. Lonnquist Chapter Four: Out of the Gutter: Illness and Disability in the Graphic Narrative Karen J. Getzen Chapter Five: A Teacher Educator's Re-imagining: Finding Places and Making Spaces for Transformative Civility in Schools Carol M. Pate Chapter Six: Towards a Compassionate Conversation: The Art of Spiritual Direction Carolynne Ervin Chapter Seven: Fear and Fundamentalism As Barriers to Civil Discourse Nancy Porter Chapter Eight: Lessons From the Ecumenical Lifeworld: Dialogue and Civility Steven Guerriero About the Contributors

About the Author :
Marie A. Conn, Ph.D., is professor of religious studies at Chestnut Hill College, where she chairs the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy and the Graduate Program in Holistic Spirituality. Conn received her doctorate in theology from the University of Notre Dame. Her research interests include the “underside” of Christianity (women’s history), bereavement, social justice issues, and biomedical ethical issues. Her books include Noble Daughters: Unheralded Women in Western Christianity, 13th to 18th Centuries and C. S. Lewis and Human Suffering: Light among the Shadows. She has also co-edited three books of essays with Thérèse McGuire. Thérèse McGuire, SSJ, Ph.D., is professor of art at Chestnut Hill College. She holds a doctorate in art from New York University. She has had numerous papers published and given many presentations at conferences in the United States and abroad. Her dissertation involved an exploration of Hildegarde of Bingen; she is often invited to speak about this extraordinary woman’s life and work.