We will begin our investigation of emotions by trying to get in touch with our own “live questions” about the topic. Please address the following questions in your journal over the next few days. This reflection will be substantially longer than others, so please be prepared to devote several hours to it. Remember that no one will see what you write unless you choose to share it; however, participants will be asked to speak about some of their reflections in class on Thursday, Aug 29, and that discussion will form part of the foundation of the course.  

Question 1

What mood are you in as you begin this semester? What are you most excited about? What are you worried about? Where are you in your journey from adolescence to adulthood? How are things going? 

Question 2

What moods, questions, perplexities, or insights were provoked by our first class session on Tuesday? Did you, the professor, or a classmate say anything that surprised or bothered you? What do your reactions reveal about your concerns and your relationship to learning? What do they reveal about your past experiences and how you are thinking about the future?

Question 3

What is one place in your life right now where you are feeling stuck, conflicted, or burdened? Describe in a few sentences a specific moment in which you experienced an emotion or mood related to this issue. What questions or insights does this raise about the nature of emotions or their role in human life? 

Question 4

What is one place in your life right now where you are feeling expansive, engaged, or a sense of freedom? Describe in a few sentences a specific moment in which you experienced an emotion or mood related to this issue. What questions or insights does this raise about the nature of emotions or their role in human life? 

Question 5

What are some of your best strategies for managing your emotions and moods? What are some strategies that have proven to be problematic for you? What questions or insights does this raise about the nature of emotions? 

Question 6

Think more broadly about your emotional responses, habits, and styles, how they have evolved over time, and how they may differ from one context to another. Describe the emotions and moods that arise as you consider the following topics. Note where you have personal experiences that may strongly influence your relationship to the issue, and where you feel blank, non-committal, or confused. Whenever possible, identify the philosophical questions that may be related to your experiences or responses. 

  • Friendship (old friends/new friends) 
  • Sex/romance
  • Learning
  • College 
  • Work
  • Money
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Kids
  • Nature
  • Art 
  • Politics
  • Death
  • God
  • Mental health
  • The body 
  • Addiction/bad habits
  • Power/authority
  • Privilege
  • Race 
  • Gender
  • Identity
  • The future
  • Your childhood
  • Performance/anxiety
  • Authenticity
  • Trauma 
  • Serving something bigger than you
  • Conflict
  • Other