Hum/En 39 - The Ethics of Friendship

Is there such a thing as an ideal friend? What responsibilities do friends have to each other? How can friendship negotiate differences, and what are its limits? To explore these enduring questions, we will read classical and Renaissance philosophies of the nature of friendship as well as imaginative literature from Miguel de Cervantes to Toni Morrison that puts these theories to the test. Students will gain a deeper understanding of views on friendship across the centuries, including the challenges and the rewards of working towards becoming a better friend. Meanwhile, the course's assignments aim to make you a stronger reader and writer. Students will develop skills in how to analyze difficult texts from various historical periods and craft persuasive arguments about them. Authors read will include Aristotle, Cicero, Montaigne, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Shelley, and Morrison.