Human Value

(4 Credits)

What is the value of human life? How is human value socially constructed in particular political, economic, and cultural contexts? When one society honors athletes and movie stars more than factory laborers, does that mean people with fame, wealth, and beauty are inherently more valuable? How do individuals create value and meaning in their lives in different contexts? This class will deconstruct the historical definition of human value across a variety of cultures, from foragers to contemporary global capitalist society. We will examine human value in terms of such themes as worth, utility, beauty, status, wealth, and fulfillment, via close engagement with texts, visual arts, mass media, and advertising. A practical component of the class will challenge students to explore concepts surrounding human value through a variety of artistic media, from sketching to sound recording and photography. No previous background or training is required.