On December 10, Philosophy faculty member Wayne Henry went back to high school. Dr. Henry visited Sardis Secondary School to give guest presentations to Mr. Rickard Chadsey’s Philosophy 12 classes.
Henry’s lectures concerned Locke on private property and the development of the notion of human rights (coincidentally it was International Human Rights Day). He pointed out that discourse on human rights is historically conditioned and is ongoing. Henry engaged the Sardis students in a discussion about what rights mean for us today. Should they be extended beyond the bounds of the human race? Are they really inalienable? And if so, what does this mean? He found the students were very participatory and had opinions which they were not shy to share.
After the visit, Chadsey reported back to Henry that the students wanted him “ to pass on…the following words and phrases as feedback: they expressed that your lectures were ‘thought provoking,’ ‘captivating,’ ‘worthwhile,’ ‘charismatic,’ and ‘made you want to go into Philosophy.’”
Henry also met with Sardis principal Diego Testa to discuss ways of continuing the relationship between the UFV Philosophy department and Sardis Senior Secondary.
Dr. Henry plans to return to do more guest lectures for Mr. Chadsey’s classes in the spring. He is also currently involved in advocating for philosophy becoming a teachable minor within the province of British Columbia.
For more information, contact Anastasia Anderson at anastasia.anderson@ufv.ca
12/20/2013