First-Year Seminar (105-6-26)
Topic
The Terror & Triumph of Youth
Instructors
Elizabeth Anne Lenaghan
847/467-4462
555 Clark St, #241
Office Hours: By appointment
Meeting Info
Parkes Hall 213: Mon, Wed, Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM
Overview of class
As you are well aware, being young has many benefits and many drawbacks. For instance, the optimism and creativity that often characterize youth can lead to positive social and societal change. At the same time, though, young people often struggle to be taken seriously, even when their actions and ideas are good ones. Through examining several historic and contemporary case studies, this course will explore both the triumphs and terrors of youth (i.e., teens-twenties). What risks are uniquely available to young people? Which ones are rewarded and which end in regret? How might these outcomes be mediated by other factors (e.g., race, gender, sexuality)? Most importantly, what can we learn from the triumphant and terrible behaviors of others? As we explore answers to these questions through discussion, reading, and writing assignments, we'll also take advantage of your own uniquely youthful status as first-quarter, first-year students. Specifically, we'll think and learn about how both your transition to college and the years ahead present you with opportunities to both capitalize on your youth and cultivate for you and others (especially those who might disparage Gen Z) a more realistic idea of what it really means to be young these days.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
● Advance your writing skills in the categories of argument, organization, and style in order to satisfy the Weinberg College writing requirement
● Improve your ability to participate in class discussion, always demonstrating adequate preparation (a.k.a., doing the reading!). Participation includes both speaking and listening effectively.
● Improve your ability to read critically and analyze a variety of genres and media texts
● Connect course materials to your own interests and experiences
● Together form an intellectual community of mutual respect and understanding as the basis for your participation in the larger Northwestern community
Class Materials (Required)
All texts will be available for free online through the NU Library and/or will be posted in pdf form on the class Canvas Site.
Class Attributes
WCAS First-Year Seminar
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required