1. Close Reading: 12 CP English
A bit of existentialism for what ails you, Petr Koval
Close Reading: 12 CP English

2. What is an existential crisis?

3. Video

4. Discuss the 5 features: #1
1. Period where a lot that had previously seemed like common sense or normal, reveals that it is contingent on chance. (more options than we allow ourselves to imagine.

5. Discuss the 5 features: #2
Anxiety driven: No one cares about who we are: ultimate responsibility is to ourselves.

6. Discuss the 5 features: #3
Develop a heightened awareness of death

7. Discuss the 5 features: #4
We have more choices but are, by the nature of our human condition, denied info we need to choose with wisdom and certainty. (We have to decide, but will never know if we have done so adequately).

8. Discuss the 5 features: #4
Every life is burdened by regret and we have to accept responsibility for actions.

9. Vocabulary: define words
Narcissism
Self actualization
Authenticity
consolations

10. Vocabulary: Words defined
Narcissism: excessive interest in one’s self
Self actualization: realization or fulfillment of one’s talents and potentialities
Authenticity: true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character
Consolations: reward for coming in a place other than first

11. First Read Take your time.
Annotate the entire article (about 7-8 notes per page)
Circle words/terms you may not comprehend
Ask questions
Make connections
Draw Conclusions

12. After First Read Question:
The author states, “It is through these actions that we might increase our opportunities for personal growth, making meaningful connections with others, challenging and extending ourselves.”
What are the actions that the author is referring to?

13. Second Read: Before Reading
Section:
The author lists three components that need to be in balance in order for people to find self actualization. What distractions does the author believe keep us from reaching our maximum potential? How are those three components interrelated?

14. After Second Read, Before Third
Academic Discussion:
Thinking back to the “Existential Crisis” video, and the five features that the speaker includes as part of the Existential crisis, explain the connection between the components present in the article and the features in the video. Then, categorize the five into either: existential anxiety, existential avoidance, and existential authenticity and support your rationale for placing the features in these categories.

15. After second, before third cont.
Academic discussion cont.
Then, categorize the five into either: existential anxiety, existential avoidance, and existential authenticity and support your rationale for placing the features in these categories.

16. Third Read: Section: After second read to end
According to the author, “Existentialism urges us to be true to ourselves”.
What are some ways that the author says we can display authenticity?

17. Second Academic Discussion
Thinking about the statement previously discussed (existentialism urges us to be ourselves), What are some other examples you can think of that existentialists might believe to show authenticity and courage?
Do you believe those actions make someone an existentialist?

18. TDA
Analyze why “a bit of existentialism for what ails you” is an appropriate title for this article. Use evidence from this article to support your answer.