Suffering is an inevitable yet poorly understood feature of human existence. This course examines how societies respond to the puzzling reality of human anguish. Among the questions it addresses are the following: What is suffering? Which types of human affliction are unique to the modern world? Have the meaning and portrayal of suffering changed over time? Do digital media sensitize or desensitize us to the anguish of distant others? In addition to introducing students to academic literature and debates on these topics, Suffering and the Human Condition will give them the opportunity to learn a method for studying human affliction that identifies the actors that perpetuate it.
Suffering and the Human Condition
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Suffering and the Human Condition
This course is part of Caring for Others Specialization
Instructor: Don Grant
2,286 already enrolled
Included with
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6
(15 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
8 hours to complete
3 weeks at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Develop a deeper understanding of human suffering
Identify different types and sources of affliction
Assess trends in human anguish
Critically evaluate how suffering is framed by social media
Details to know
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Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
6 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Caring for Others Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 5 modules in this course
In this module, you will learn why human suffering is such a difficult issue to study.
What's included
8 videos7 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
In this module, you will learn about the types of suffering that are unique to modern society.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this module, you will learn about how modern forms of suffering manifest themselves.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this module, you will learn how historically the phenomenon of human suffering has been conceived and framed.
What's included
5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In this module, you will learn about two highly contentious issues involving human suffering.
What's included
5 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Education
Indian School of Business
Wesleyan University
Universiteit Leiden
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
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4.6
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