The God gap in the workplaces of the world

the University Concourse
Volume V, Issue 7
March 27, 2000
Table of Contents

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The God gap in the workplaces of the world

One year ago, I wrote in and stated that Franciscan University must prepare its students for the work force by encouraging classes with a vocational slant to them. Classes in computer education, business and professional writing courses, and practical internships are important, and need to be given priority if our graduates are to compete in the global economy and--more importantly--to spread the gospel using the tools of the time. (St. Maximilian Kolbe is a wonderful example in the way he used state of the art machinery and instruments to spread his work on Our Lady.)

But, with that being said, I can see very clearly why a good wholesome liberal arts program is needed as the proverbial backbone for our students. Take the following examples as a indicator of what a total professional-courses-only approach might have.

In a business course I took at a junior college, the issue of medical ethics was addressed. One student and I argued about the function of the hospital. I stated that it existed to save lives. This lady shook her head and said its function was to make money, and if someone died, oh well. Our teacher gave no support for either argument. This same teacher, in training future business managers and administrators, discussed a case where a train car was robbed over the Thanksgiving holiday, because the workers were on a holiday with family and friends. His view was that the manager should have paid the time and a half for the workers to get the car unloaded. The training was completely centered on money and doing what had to be done in order to get more. Ethics were relative. Family life was seen as less important than making money. My vocational-only training was full of "what's in it for me."

Liberally educated individuals will recognize the reason why people work. While it is true that the liberally educated manager must make a profit to keep in business, the focus will also be on the dignity of the person. If the person is given such dignity, greater dignity would be accorded for God. Living a life of worship and prayer, keeping God's commandments and those of the Church, and acknowledging that God is the Ultimate Authority in matters of ethics and faith will be present.

Our university community must promote liberal education in order to bring about God's Kingdom on earth. We have lost God in the work place. Actually, I doubt He was ever there. Now we must bring Him in, to restore our businesses to an ethical and faith-filled place where the simple values of faith, family, and friends are given priority.

Peter Cole, Masters in Education Program

Related Articles:
• Shouldn't we have a real core curriculum at Franciscan University?, John F. Crosby (I,1)
• Core curriculum (1), R.J. Convery (I,2)
• Core curriculum (2), Jim Fox (I,2)
• What is a 'real' Catholic education?, Kathleen van Schaijik (I,2)
• Core curriculum (3), Katherine Kemmis (I,3)
• Core curriculum and anti-intellectualism, Adam Tate (I,4)
• Core curriculum and critical thinking, Joseph A. Loizzo (I,5)
• Core curriculum (4), Regis Martin (I,6)
• A defense of a diversified core, Mark Fischer (I,7)
• Making 'the connection': A Steubenville education, Regina Schmiedicke (I,7)
• In reply to Mark Fischer's defense of the present core curriculum, John F. Crosby (II,1)
• More on the curriculum debate, Mark Fischer (II,2)
• Last words on the core, John F. Crosby (II,3)
• What liberal educators may not omit, Regis Martin (IV,4)
• Dr. Martin does it again, Joanna K. M. Bratten (IV,5)
• FUS needs to get more practical about education, Peter Cole (IV,5)
• Why non-liberal majors need a liberal core, Susan C. Fischer (IV,5)
• The real purpose of liberal education, Ben Brown (IV,6)
• The will and the intellect are inseparable, Martha L. Blandford (IV,7)
• Preparing students to compete in the global economy, Peter Cole (IV,7)
• Education not limited to the mind, Susan C. Fischer (IV,7)
• According to the Tradition, education aims beyond the intellect, Matthew Fish (IV,7)
• Newman, education and context, Kathleen van Schaijik (IV,7)
• More on the aim of education: Ben Brown replies to his critics, Ben Brown (V,1)
• Preparing FUS graduates for the modern world, Jason Negri (V,2)
• Liberal arts and professional programs: a reply to Jason Negri, Ben Brown (V,3)
• Let's improve our stats, Sofia Genato (V,3)
• The ideal of perfecting the mind is timeless, Michael Houser (V,3)
• Cultivating the intellect, Anne Schmiesing (V,3)
• Computers and liberal learning, Ben Brown (V,5)
• The eternally practical liberal arts, Timothy J. Williams (V,5)
• Liberal arts with professional training: the best of both worlds, Thomas E. Kelly (V,6)
• Education is not primarily about preparing to evangelize in the workplace, Ben Brown (V,7)
• The God gap in the workplaces of the world, Peter Cole (V,7)
• Arrogant idealism, Jason Negri (V,8)

By the same author:
• FUS needs to get more practical about education, (IV,5)
• Preparing students to compete in the global economy, (IV,7)
• A key difference between 'Church work' and regular 'work', (V,2)
• The God gap in the workplaces of the world, (V,7)