IDS 2034 - How Am I Not Myself?

Credits: 4
What do we mean when we say “I’m not feeling like myself today” or “I need to get in touch with the real me”? Do our identities stay the same throughout our lives or do they change from moment to moment? Do we create our own identities or inherit them? What gives our lives meaning? Does meaning exist at all? This course will investigate sources of personal identity, the ways in which we experience our freedom, and the
value of self-transformation. We will delve into these questions through a study of the Existentialist movement in 19th and 20th century European philosophy, literature, theater, and psychology. While students will become familiar with various theories about freedom and individuality, it is hoped that the course will open up a space in which students can develop the ability to think critically about their own lived experience in light of the readings.