Class topic to follow.
Thicker Than Water: The Idea of Family
“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”
-Thic Nhat Hanh
“The first move I ever made, after the cradle, was to crawl for the door, and every move I have made since has been an effort to escape.”
― Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel
Ours is a culture in which the celebration of the autonomous self is equaled by a veneration of family. In this course, we’ll consider the idea of family and the ways it has been framed in the American imagination. Our texts will take a number of forms: theoretical and philosophical essays, poetry, paintings and photographs, personal essays, a documentary, a novel, and even a few sitcom snippets. Through our reading, we’ll explore the ways in which each of us is required to form an identity that is at once individual and collective, and we’ll consider the ways in which the tension inherent in this demand manifests itself in American art and literature.
The Spiritual Dimensions of Health and Healing
This course examines the spiritual dimensions of health and healing from historical, cultural, medical, and personal perspectives. We will ground our exploration of spiritual phenomenon (e.g. synchronicity, forgiveness, meaning, holism, community, hope) in rich multi-cultural, historical and contemporary resources (novels, film, illness narratives) and then link those insights with our own experiences of health and healing. Throughout the semester, each person will create a “spiritual profile” which will give voice to one’s own unique expressions and experiences of health. We will explore the science of the body-mind connection, the impact of chronic stress on health, and identify ways to manage stress in daily life for the purpose of creating healthy lives and communities.
Envisioning Your Professional Future
The world is changing fast and it will run you over if you are not ready. The goals of the course are for you to (1) characterize how technology is changing every aspect of our world; (2) understand the career implications of your major; (3) combine your interests with probable technological changes to envision how your career might be impacted; and (4) critically examine yourself to prepare you for the future. While this class examines technology, you do not need to be in a technology-related major to succeed in this class. Creativity and a willingness to think critically about yourself are the necessary skills to envision your future. So join us for the ride as we keep ahead of the future. Don't be run-over.
Meridian Scholars Application Deadline:
Dec. 1
