Fall 2011 Fellows Arrive in Philadelphia
First Philadelphia Fellowship Class Begins its Journey of Principled Public Service
As the leaves change on the new Bala Cynwyd campus, the mansion is a bustle of activity. Fourteen John Jay Fellows have filled it, and with them has come the energetic conversation that is the hallmark of the Fellowship experience.
"We have just entered into the third course of our semester here in Philadelphia: Modern Political Theory and Christian Thought," explains 2011 Fellow Amanda Glatfelter, a Pennsylvania native. "Having travelled through the history of the Christian Church, we are about to commence with the modern conversation concerning the practice of modern political theory in light of our Christian tradition."
This portion of the semester, Amanda believes, offers a particular challenge to the Fellows, because it asks them to consider what thoughtful Christian statesmanship looks like in practice in a secularized public square. But she relishes the challenge, because it is what brought the Fellows here. "We have been invited to enter an environment concerned with engaging our Western tradition, and doing so in a way that incorporates faith and practice in our modern public sphere. Wherever and whenever faith intersects with public policy, architecture, education, history, or the arts, John Jay trains us to read, to dialogue, to think, and to act in ways faithful to our shared Christian heritage."
Click here to meet Amanda's classmates in the Fall 2011 John Jay Fellowship.
