What are we learning from the coronavirus pandemic? What are the personal, social, and moral implications of the pandemic? How might renewed calls for racial justice interact with pandemic challenges? How can we support vulnerable populations, promote collective resilience, and foster justice for the future? The course will examine such questions and explore implications for social institutions: education, social services, citizenship, and public policy. The course is designed in response to the current moment, drawing on literature and emerging research in psychology, moral education, and beyond. Students’ own experiences and authentic listening will be important starting points. While direct community engagement is limited, students will contribute through an applied research project (as appropriate within University safety guidelines) that may take the form of collecting interviews/narratives, assisting with contact tracing, digital research, or the like). Course requirements will include brief written reflections and robust class participation. This course is open to both undergraduates and graduate students. We will meet (in person or by video conference) on Mondays from August 17–November 9 at 5:30 p.m.
This course is full for fall 2020.