Character Explorations

40. Citizenship and Public Service

What does being a good citizen look like for a public servant? In this episode, Shea Chapin and Vladimir Hudson explore the meaning of citizenship and virtues that aid in public service. Featuring Shea Chapin, Assistant Professor of Law, and Vladimir Hudson, a senior Flight Operations major at the University of Dubuque Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Resources/] or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/].

39. Civic Virtue and Meaningful Engagement with Politics

How do we engage with the political sphere in a meaningful way? In this episode, Adam Smith and Chloe Breitbach discuss voting, civic virtue, and the difference between spectating and participating in politics. Featuring Adam Smith, Professor of Political Philosophy talking with Chloe Breitbach, a first-year student majoring in Human Health Science at the University of Dubuque. You can read Adam Smith’s essay, “The Strenuous Life,” referenced in the episode here [https://fordforum.org/2024/10/17/the-strenous-life/]. Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Resources/] or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/].

38. Exploring Civic Virtues and the Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens

What responsibilities do citizens have in the United States of America? Are there certain virtues that lead someone to be more responsible as a citizen? In this episode, Adam Hoffman and Jackson Drobac explore civic virtues and the actions that good citizens take to support the common good. Featuring Adam Hoffman, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, and Jackson Drobac, First-year Biology Student at the University of Dubuque. Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Resources/] or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/].

37. Attention and Digital Mourning (Character and Inevitability)

The rise of the internet has impacted the way we mourn in ways that may be beneficial in some cases and harmful in others. In this episode, Daniel Fleming argues that, however we choose to mourn online, paying attention to ourselves and others is essential to mourning well.   Featuring Daniel P. Fleming, Assistant Professor of Computer Studies at the University of Dubuque Interviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director Emerita of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque   The content in this episode comes from Daniel P. Fleming’s article, "Attention and Digital Mourning," from Character and . . . Inevitability [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Publications/CharacterandJournal/CharacterandInevitability/], volume 10 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Publications/CharacterandJournal/] . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Resources/] or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/].

36. The Inevitability of Dying (Character and Inevitability)

The deaths of love ones can lead us into despair if we do not find a way to find focus on hope and positivity. In this episode, Dale Easley discusses how storytelling can help us navigate our grief and create meaning around loved one’s deaths, so that we can move forward in hope.   Featuring Dale H. Easley, Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Dubuque Interviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director Emerita of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque   The content in this episode comes from Dale H. Easley’s article, "The Inevitability of Dying," from Character and . . . Inevitability [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Publications/CharacterandJournal/CharacterandInevitability/], volume 10 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Publications/CharacterandJournal/] . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/Resources/] or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here [https://www.dbq.edu/Wendt/].