GERST 1117

FWS: Just Friends?

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2016-2017.

In popular culture and literature, in the humanities and in the social sciences, friendship – a relationship of choice without institutional foundation – is a topic that allows for the exploration of the concept of community. We speak of 'friending' someone or being 'Facebook friends,' but can we define friendship? Plato and Aristotle already asked: Are friends alike or do opposites attract? Can a good friendship end? Other questions recently emerged: Can individuals of the same sexual orientation be friends? Is friendship between humans and animals possible? How does one mourn the end of a friendship? Looking at philosophical essays, literary texts, films, and scholarship from various disciplines the seminar will hone the ability to critically reflect in writing and discussion on arguments, concepts and representations.  

When Offered Fall.

Satisfies Requirement First-Year Writing Seminar.

Comments No knowledge of German is expected.

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