Facing Adversity

This course will explore the literary, psychological, philosophical, and emotional components of the way people face difficulty in their lives. Readings will include well–known stories like “Endurance” (Shackleton’s Antarctica voyage), literary masterpieces like One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, contemporary autobiography like When Breath Becomes Air, with lessons by Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou, Victor Frankl, and Rollo May. We’ll also do two projects. One is an outdoor experience to help students reflect on the nature of adversity from personal experience. The second is an interview and write–up of a person who has faced or is facing significant adversity.