Education and (Un)happiness: The Promises and Risks of Elite Higher Education

1 credits · Undergraduate

Does getting more education lead to greater happiness? Given how much time, energy, and money are invested in getting into college, and especially top-tier schools, one might think college is the golden ticket to a happy life. But is it? If so, what do we make of college students' mental health struggles, including those at elite schools? If not, why do people work so hard to get into college? In what ways, should college contribute to students' happiness? In this course, we?l explore the relationship between education and happiness in the context of elite undergraduate education. We'll explore various perspectives on what 'education' means, examine philosophies of happiness that have shaped American colleges, and look at how these ideas shape the experiences of elite college students.