How can you make choices that lead to a good life? What does “a good life” even mean? This seminar offers you an opportunity to ponder, critique, and reflectively engage diverse perspectives on the question of what it means to live well, and to develop a personal and practical vision for how you can live a flourishing life. Readings, written assignments, exercises, and discussions will invite you to critically examine the values that have shaped your path and who you’ve become thus far; consider what it means to live a good life in its various facets (such as meaning, purpose, work, achievement, purpose, community, and character); and articulate the kind of life you want to live now and after graduation.
Incorporating readings and reflections from Plato, Albert Camus, Min Jin Lee, Conan O”Brien—and a number of recently-graduated Duke undergraduates, this class seeks to help you situate and refine your hopes and aspirations for a life well-lived.
Here’s what former students have said about the class in the anonymous course evaluations:
- This is a great class that teaches you how to ask and think about some of the big questions in life. Don’t expect to find the answers to all of them, but you’ll definitely be in a good spot to evaluate your own life and how to move forward after Duke.
- I think this class is great for talking about finding happiness and purpose in your life, includes a lot of introspective thinking.
- This class is probably the best class I have ever taken at Duke. I would be a completely different person without having taken it. Absolutely take it.
- This is the best course I have taken at Duke. And I would honestly say it has changed my life. Please take it if you are considering it.
- This course should be required for all graduating seniors.
- Take it!
- Highly recommend even if they have everything figured out at the moment.
