Comparative Studies: The Pursuit of Desire
Course Description
Human desire is considered by some to be the source of all of humankind’s accomplishments and by others to be the source of all of our miseries. This course explores the topic of human desire across cultures and through film and literature. We will look at a range of human desires including those for victory, fame, love, bodily pleasures, wealth, expression, and understanding. Throughout the course, our task will be to contemplate whether the pursuit of desire is culturally specific or if it is universal in character.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, the student should be able to speak articulately about the relationship between desire and what it means to be human. Likewise, the student should be able to explain numerous ideas about the subject of desire put forth by various thinkers and traditions.
Course Topics
The Desire for Victory and Fame
The Desire for Pleasure and Wealth
The Desire for Beauty and Art
The Desire to Know (and Travel)
Instruction to Students
In addition to learning basic facts, students will be asked to form opinions and to employ creativity in their classwork and assignments.
Human desire is considered by some to be the source of all of humankind’s accomplishments and by others to be the source of all of our miseries. This course explores the topic of human desire across cultures and through film and literature. We will look at a range of human desires including those for victory, fame, love, bodily pleasures, wealth, expression, and understanding. Throughout the course, our task will be to contemplate whether the pursuit of desire is culturally specific or if it is universal in character.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, the student should be able to speak articulately about the relationship between desire and what it means to be human. Likewise, the student should be able to explain numerous ideas about the subject of desire put forth by various thinkers and traditions.
Course Topics
The Desire for Victory and Fame
The Desire for Pleasure and Wealth
The Desire for Beauty and Art
The Desire to Know (and Travel)
Instruction to Students
In addition to learning basic facts, students will be asked to form opinions and to employ creativity in their classwork and assignments.
Resources for Students
Bibliographic information course texts and films for use in paper assignments
Films for Student Use: please go to the second floor of the library to the AV counter to request a specific film used in the course. Ask for films held by Prof. Shultz for Comparative Studies A
Bibliographic information course texts and films for use in paper assignments
Films for Student Use: please go to the second floor of the library to the AV counter to request a specific film used in the course. Ask for films held by Prof. Shultz for Comparative Studies A
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