The Human Experience What makes us human? How can an exploration of literature teach us about the human experience?

Building the capacity for understanding: What is the human condition? Step one Building the capacity for understanding: What is the human condition?

What is the "human condition"? The "human condition" is an important part of our understanding of literature. Literary critics often label a piece of writing as literature - and not pulp fiction - if it tries to describe this "human condition." Essentially, the discussion of the human condition is any thematic concern about human nature, human society or how we live our lives. In other words, it's about the fundamental issues of human existence. One of literature's central concerns is to comment on these issues; it might be better at it than psychology or philosophy!

If you are asked to make a theme statement about a piece of writing, the easiest way to identify a theme is to look for some challenge to the human condition. Look for common problems that any person - you included - might face sometime in his or her life. So let's be more specific. What kind of issues connected to "human nature, human society or how we live our lives" are we talking about? Well, it can mean MANY different things! Here are a few examples that come to mind:

How We Live Our Lives How do we forgive after hardship? How does one manage stress and expectations? How does one cope with loss? What leads to happiness?

Human Nature Are we naturally evil or good? Are we born with inherited traits or are we a "blank slate"? How does one express their identity with confidence? What makes a good leader?

Human Society -What's the best way to live together? -Should we care for the weak and poor or let them fend for themselves? -How do we alleviate discrimination? -How should society treat the environment?

What makes us human? As a group, brainstorm the answer to the above question and note the answers on your paper Eg. Our need to give and receive love

Constructing essential questions using illustrated children’s books Step Two: Constructing essential questions using illustrated children’s books

Possible information sources to create questions and explore the human condition You will be reading children’s books to create theme statements that can be transformed into deep inquiry questions.

You will read three children’s books in your group, describe the plot, determine the conflict, create a theme and formulate a question

What does an inquiry question look like? How do we cope with loss? How does a person’s actions impact others? How can a person face the struggles of the past? Why is loneliness a difficult emotion to overcome? How does one alleviate loneliness? Why is it important to help others? How can we overcome tragic events? How can we stop being victims of bullying?

How does society alleviate discrimination? This is the central inquiry question we will explore in grade 10.

Step three: How do we answer our question? The exploration of texts, film, media and discussion (Retrieving Information)

Information Collection We will read poems, short stories, a novel, newspaper articles, blogs, non-fiction, TEDtalks and watch films and youtube throughout the semester that focus on discrimination You will be asked to pose questions and determine the theme of each source and determine if this source is relevant to your group’s inquiry question

So pay attention to the world around you. Explore humanity So pay attention to the world around you. Explore humanity. Look for sources that answer your inquiry question