Friendship Through Fiction and Film
Literature/Cinema
Course Description
What does it mean to call someone a friend? How are friendships different from other types of relationships? This course will explore these questions through a study of short stories, novels, and films that all consider the meaning of friendship. While philosophers, psychologists, and sociologists have long recognized the importance of friendship for human happiness, romantic partnerships and parent-child relationships often receive more attention as formative relationships in people’s lives than the bonds between friends. Through discussions of literature, film, and supplementary readings, we will consider questions such as: How do our friendships enrich and complicate who we are as individuals? How do people become friends, and why are some people better at making friends than others? What makes certain friendships last a lifetime and others fall apart? Why is the pain of losing a friend often less acknowledged than the pain of losing a partner or a family member? What are the ethics of ending a friendship? How does friendship offer alternatives to biological notions of family? And what would it mean for societies to recognize friendship, rather than marital or kinship bonds, as the defining relationships in people's lives?
Books to Purchase: TBD
Please note that this course has a maximum enrollment of 16 students and that TMI does not allow participants to audit courses for free.
Course Details
Location: Atwater
First Session: Tuesday, January 14, 2024
Course Length: 12 weeks, Tuesdays, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.
Discussion Team: Valerie Amyot, Charlotte Boatner-Doane
Degree Credit: 3 credits
Course Fee:
$100.00 (New Students)
$160.00 (Standard Tuition)
Administrative Fee:
$40.00
Total:
$140.00 (New Students)
$200.00 (Standard Tuition)
For 12-week courses, fees are refundable in full before the second session. If the participant withdraws after the second course, they will be charged a $50 fee. There is no refund after the third course has passed. Please note that non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.
Students pursuing studies for credit are encouraged to consult with their advisers as they register for courses.
Course leaders, and students wishing to use credit vouchers, should call (514) 935-9585 to pay by phone or to schedule an appointment to pay in person.