Life, Death, and Meaning

Course Description

An examination of philosophical writings concerning death and the meaning of life. Plays, poems, art, literature, and films that apply or illustrate the philosophical works are also examined.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Critically analyze and evaluate the ways in which studies in the Humanities represent the human condition and can be applied to your life by connecting academic learning to personal experience.
  • Critically analyze and describe how the formats, genres, and approaches of different Humanities disciplines can each uniquely address the same event or topic; how study in one Humanities discipline can inform understanding in another.
  • Critically interpret and articulate the tenets of existential philosophy and identify key existentialist thinkers; demonstrate knowledge of terms/concepts specific to existential philosophy.
  • Critically analyze and argue for your own philosophical perspective on the meaning or purpose of life as evidenced in coherent, reasoned, and thoughtfully written assignments.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Readings/Viewings/Discussions[One, integrated assignment category—foundation of course] 30%
Quizzes 20%
Mid-Term Analysis Paper 25%
Final Paper: Culminating Essay 25%

BLS 366-11 is an asynchronous online class. Attendance and participation cannot be physically monitored. Grades are based on student performance.

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
94 - 100%A
90 - 93%A-
87 - 89%B+
83 - 86%B
80 - 82%B-
77 - 79%C+
73 - 76%C
70 – 72%C-
67 – 69%D+
63 – 66%D
60 – 62%D-
Below 60%F

Attendance/Participation:

BLS 366-11 is an asynchronous online class. Attendance and participation cannot be physically monitored. Grades are based on student performance.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Existentialism (2nd ed.) (2005) by Robert C. Solmon / ISBN: 13 978-0195174632 - AVAILABLE IN PRINT ONLY

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.