Moral Mayhem! '12-'13

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem

What does it mean to be a good person? How does one become good? We’ll begin this course by examining Ancient Greek and Chinese notions of goodness and then turn to the question of moral choice: what happens when our values collide and we’re forced to choose between them? Specifically, we’ll look at issues of freedom and justice in Ann Patchett’s award-winning novel Bel Canto; we’ll explore the costs of a western education in Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga’s novel Nervous Conditions; and we’ll consider moral dilemmas caused by modern technology in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. In addition to formal essay-writing, you’ll be writing frequently and informally in this class. You’ll also be asked to come up with questions for class discussion and to participate in leading these discussions. Be prepared to talk, write, think, and have fun!