Suffering and the Human Condition

Suffering and the Human Condition

This course is part of Caring for Others Specialization

Instructor: Don Grant

3,387 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Develop a deeper understanding of human suffering
Identify different types and sources of affliction
Assess trends in human anguish
Critically evaluate how suffering is framed by social media

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Caring for Others Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 5 modules in this course

Suffering is an inevitable yet poorly understood feature of human existence. This course examines how societies respond to the puzzling reality of human anguish. Among the questions it addresses are the following: What is suffering? Which types of human affliction are unique to the modern world? Have the meaning and portrayal of suffering changed over time? Do digital media sensitize or desensitize us to the anguish of distant others? In addition to introducing students to academic literature and debates on these topics, Suffering and the Human Condition will give them the opportunity to learn a method for studying human affliction that identifies the actors that perpetuate it.

In this module, you will learn why human suffering is such a difficult issue to study.

What's included

8 videos8 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 25 minutes

Course Capstone Project Overview 5 minutes
Introduction to Suffering and the Human Condition1 minute
What is suffering? Part I: Suffering as Qualitatively Different Than Pain3 minutes
What is suffering? Part II: Limitations of the Dualistic Understanding of Suffering3 minutes
What is suffering? Part III: Alternative Understandings3 minutes
What is suffering? Part IV: How Photography Changed Our Exposure to Suffering3 minutes
Should we study suffering? Part I: Arguments Against Studying Suffering2 minutes
Should we study suffering? Part II: Arguments For Studying Suffering4 minutes

8 readingsTotal 71 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support1 minute
Nursing Continuing Professional Development Contact Hours10 minutes
Teacher Education University Credit from CU Boulder10 minutes
Caring for Others Facebook Group10 minutes
Video: Course Capstone Project: Daniela Papi-Thornton10 minutes
Capstone Project10 minutes
Video: Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care10 minutes
Decartes and Dualism10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

What is suffering and should we study it?30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Introduce Yourself10 minutes
The Term Suffering10 minutes

In this module, you will learn about the types of suffering that are unique to modern society.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

In this module, you will learn about how modern forms of suffering manifest themselves.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

4 videosTotal 12 minutes

Suffering in the World Today Part I: Anomie and Deviance4 minutes
Suffering in the World Today Part II: Poverty and Inequality3 minutes
Suffering in the World Today Part III: Meaninglessness, Systematic Violence, and Unforeseen Dangers4 minutes
Suffering in the World Today Part IV: Improvements and Conclusion2 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

“The Great Paradox of Our Time: Everything is Both Better and Worse Than Ever Before"10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

How much suffering is in the world today?30 minutes

In this module, you will learn how historically the phenomenon of human suffering has been conceived and framed.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 24 minutes

The Meaning and Portrayal of Suffering Part I: Sacred/Religious Understandings 4 minutes
The Meaning and Portrayal of Suffering Part II: Secular/Scientific Understandings 3 minutes
The Meaning and Portrayal of Suffering Part III: American Views7 minutes
The Meaning and Portrayal of Suffering Part IV: Journalism vs. Social Science6 minutes
The Meaning and Portrayal of Suffering Part V: Journalism vs. Social Science Part 24 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

“How Natural Disasters Can Be Faith-Challenging Experiences"10 minutes
Video about Child Neglect10 minutes
“The Disadvantage of Sensationalism in the Media”10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Has the meaning and portrayal of suffering changed over time?30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Suffering as Sacred or Secular5 minutes

In this module, you will learn about two highly contentious issues involving human suffering.

What's included

5 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 19 minutes

Religion and Terrorism Part I: Questionable Assumptions About the Nature of Religion6 minutes
Religion and Terrorism Part II: Religion is Not the Problem but it is Problematic4 minutes
Religion and Terrorism Part III: Can religion be made less problematic?1 minute
Digital Media Part I: Empathy Machines vs. Instruments of Indifference5 minutes
Digital Media Part II: How Spectators Talk and Respond to Suffering2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

“You Shouldn’t Blame Islam for Terrorism. Religion Isn’t A Crucial Factor in Attacks”10 minutes
“'Horrific' And 'Surreal': The Words We Use To Bear Witness”10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Religion and Terrorism30 minutes
Digital Media30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Suffering and the Human Condition60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

Religion and Terrorism5 minutes
Digital Media5 minutes

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Instructor

Don Grant

University of Colorado Boulder

3 Courses4,438 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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