What Matters Most

"What is a good life?" is a daunting question. While each of us needs to answer it, it is almost impossible to do so all at once. This course divides the question of the good life into smaller, but still very significant questions, like: Who do we answer to for the shape of our lives? What should we hope for? What is the role of suffering in a good life? Readings and discussion-heavy lectures engage a number of ancient and contemporary voices from a variety of religious, philosophical, ideological, and cultural perspectives. Through a series of small writing assignments, students respond to each of life's big questions for themselves and synthesize these responses into their own account of what matters and why.

All written assignments should be submitted in pdf format via Canvas assignments. Late papers will receive a grade reduction of one step (e.g., from A- to B+) for each day or part of a day that they are late.

1. Attendance & Participation: Attendance at lecture and active participation at all writing lab meetings is required (10 percent of final grade)
2. Paper 1: 2-page paper responding to the question: To whom are we responsible for the shape of our lives? Due September 14 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
3. Paper 2: 2-page paper responding to the question: How does a good life feel? Due September 21 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
4. Paper 3: 2-page paper responding to the question: What should we hope for in terms of life’s circumstances? Due September 28 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
5. Paper 4: 2-page paper responding to the question: How should we live? Due October 12 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
6. Paper 5: 3-page paper considering what sorts of contradictions and/or tensions exist between the papers you’ve written so far this term. Due October 26 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
7. Paper 6: 2-page paper responding to the question: What should we do when we fail to live as we should? Due November 2 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
8. Paper 7: 2-page paper responding to the question: What is the role of suffering in a good life? Due November 9 by 9:00pm (10 percent of final grade)
9. Final Paper: 15-20 page “portfolio” assignment, weaving together revised versions of all written work submitted during the semester, with a newly-drafted (2-3 pages) introduction and conclusion, reflecting on the philosophical tensions and synergies existing between papers already submitted. (20 percent of final grade)