Anxiety, Depression, and Culture

Catalog description

This course investigates the origins and manifestations of anxiety and depression from ancient philosophical insights to contemporary therapeutic approaches. It begins by examining classical perspectives on the human mind from Stoicism, Buddhism, and Epicurean philosophy, highlighting how these traditions sought to understand and alleviate suffering. The course then transitions to modern psychological frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychoanalytic theories, exploring foundational texts and illustrative case studies. We examine Freud's writings on mourning and melancholia alongside modern critiques and film representations, like Hitchcock’s Vertigo, to understand the psychodynamic roots of depression. Further, the course critically examines contemporary approaches to mental health, including biological treatments and critiques of psychopharmacology, as seen in documentaries like Overpill and Letters from Generation RX. In the final section, we delve into existential and societal influences on mental health. Readings from Schopenhauer, Tolstoy, and modern critiques on the impact of technology by Johann Hari and Jaron Lanier shed light on how modern life, social media, and environmental factors contribute to the mental health crisis. Throughout, students will engage with diverse media—including texts, documentaries, and films—to develop a nuanced understanding of anxiety and depression, and to critically assess the potential of different therapeutic models in addressing these pervasive issues.