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  2. EDU H611 02

Becoming a Good Person and Leading a Good Life
EDU H611 02

Course Information

Description

How do we raise children to become good people and lead good lives? This module explores these questions. We’ll focus on two main pillars of a good life—morality and romantic love—and on the capacities children need to develop to be moral and to engage in gratifying, ethical romantic and sexual relationships.  How do we develop in children and teens the capacities, for example, to be caring, justice-minded and courageous? How do we cultivate in them moral purposes, i.e. goals that benefit others and their communities?  How do we develop in them the capacity to love in ways that nurture and expand both those they love and themselves?  How do we guide them in developing caring, ethical and gratifying sexual relationships? We will analyze how school and home environments, as well as major societal trends, are shaping the development of these capacities, and explore concrete school and home-based strategies for cultivating these capacities in children. We’ll also explore the challenges and opportunities in cultivating these capacities in children in these anxious, uncertain times. The module seeks to deepen students’ understanding of morality and love and to provide ideas and tools for developing these capacities in children and young people.

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Regular Course
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Student Option (Letter Graded, Sat/Unsat)
Learning Goals <p>Learning Goals: Students will learn about: 1. How parents/teachers cultivate key moral capacities at different stages of childhood and young adulthood. 2. How adults' intense focus on happiness and achievement can undermine children's capacities for caring and responsibility. 3. Key differences across race, ethnicity and class in the parenting and community practices and beliefs influencing moral growth. 4. The differences between romantic love and infatuation and obsession 5. How adults can cultivate in young people caring, ethical romantic and sexual relationships. 6. The nature of hope and how adults can help children develop hope that takes into account reality while motivating action. 7) How to cultivate in young people, if not a single purpose, goals that are meaningful and energizing.</p>
Career Focus N/A