Understanding the American Dream through American Literature

Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory (CMCP), Hollywood, FL, English department, promoted Goal 4 of the Marianist Encounters through the Global Compact on Education’s commitment to finding new ways of understanding the economy, politics, growth, and progress that can truly stand at the service of the human person and the entire human family, within the context of an integral ecology.

Many CMCP faculty members would ask me how they can incorporate the Goals of the Marianist Family Encounters Project into their curriculum. I will admit that it is easier for theology, economics, and earth sciences to make the connections. But how can subjects like Math, English, Foreign Languages, etc., connect to the MFEP’s goals and objectives?

One of the sources for Goal 4 of the Marianist Family Encounters Project is taken directly from the Global Compact on Education: We are committed to finding new ways to understand the economy, politics, growth, and progress that can truly serve the human person and the entire human family. Mr. Patrick Heffernan, a member of the English department has, with creativity and ingenuity, made this goal a reality in his American Literature class. When speaking with Mr. Heffernan about how he is doing this, he wrote the following:

“Here at Chaminade-Madonna, Honors English III is not simply a survey of American literature, or an opportunity to earn dual enrollment credit through St. Thomas University, but rather an invitation for juniors to join the Marianist Family Encounters Project. The class is framed around the American Dream and explores the extent to which it is achievable for all Americans, as students examine the effects of income inequality on citizens and their communities. One focal area targets the criminal justice system and asks whether liberty and justice are attainable for all Americans. Currently, these eleventh graders are participating in a competition sponsored by C-SPAN called StudentCam, in which they must produce a six-minute documentary that considers how a contemporary issue impacting them or their community is connected to a value expressed in The Declaration of Independence, in celebration of the foundational document’s 250th anniversary next year.”

Congratulations to Mr. Heffernan and his students. And don’t forget to give us an update on the competition and a sneak preview of the documentary.

Honor English III Class with Mr. Patrick Hefferan (Last row - green shirt)

Update sent by Bro. Jack Ventura, SM,

Ministry Lead, Marianist Encounters

Director of Mission Integration,

Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory,

Hollywood, FL