The Pursuit of Happiness

This course will study the emergence of the modern concept of happiness from the ancient ideal of the "good life" to the notion of "pursuit of happiness" as an "inalienable right." We will trace the development of this concept in the early modern period and read representations of the search for happiness in a variety of literary, philosophical, and political texts (including the American and the Haitian Declarations of Independence and the French Declaration of Rights). Readings will include oriental and fairly tales, novels, and essays (by Mme d'Aulnoy, Mme du Chatelet, Montesquieu, Johnson, Fielding, Voltaire, and Rousseau, among others). Enrollment limited to 19 first year students.