ENG 4938r Spring 2024 Neal

Throughout human history people have sought to determine what it means to live life well. Aristotle speculated that a well-lived life is a result of pursuing happiness (eudaimonia)—living well and doing well—through the exercise of virtue. Albus Camus, a 20th century French philosopher, posited an existential view that people determine the value of their own lives on their own terms. A 75-year-long study done by Harvard researchers indicates that the most significant factor in living a healthy, happy life is meaningful relationships. In this honors senior seminar, we’ll investigate historic and contemporary ways people have responded to the question of a well-lived life through philosophy, literature, religion, music, art, film, architecture, and other disciplines, modes, and media. In addition to reading, viewing, listening to, and discussing others’ ideas on the subject, students will be asked to find meaningful ways to volunteer in Tallahassee, interview elders within their various communities, and ultimately—for the final project in the course—demonstrate what they’ve learn about a well-lived life in the form of a podcast or mini-documentary.