Taught by

Perhaps the greatest certainty that comes with being alive is that we are all mortal and that someday we will perish.  This is our fate.  How does this unwanted wisdom influence the way we chart a path from birth to our ultimate end?  Would we be different if immortal? In earlier times, these questions were mostly the domain of religion and the arts. But with the dawning of the modern age and the advent of psychology, we are now able to examine mortality from a variety of disciplinary perspectives to better understand how artists, scientists, and intellectuals have provided imaginative and penetrating insights into the phenomenon all living things have in common. In this one quarter, 8 credit program, we will examine the particulars of “self” and “narrative” that are true for each life, whether examined or not. We will explore psychological theory, science, and practice. We will learn how humans have searched for and found meaning in mortality -- through theatre, poetry, visual art, and music -- in works by Shakespeare, Mozart, Kushner, Picasso, and Welles, to name a few. The class may include a Seattle or Tacoma field trip to attend gallery or performance events relevant to our themes. Credits will be awarded in Psychology and Performance Studies.  

Quarters

Spring Open

Location and Schedule

Final Schedule and Room Assignment

• Spring

Campus Location

Olympia

Time Offered

Evening and Weekend

Advertised Schedule