Viktor Frankl's Call to Meaning for Humanity

• Week 1: Introduction to Viktor Frankl
  We explore the connection between Frankl’s experiences as a Holocaust survivor, psychotherapist and founder of logotherapy, towards re-humanizing the field of psychology. We’ll discuss readings from Man’s Search for Meaning and Frankl’s theory of meaning as a unique “call to meaning” for humanity, for our life journeys and our creative expression.
• Week 2: Meaning and life journeys
  Logotherapy is known as “existential analysis,” with reference to notions of human freedom, values, self-transcendence and quest for meaning through life transitions. We’ll consider the work of Frankl and other logotherapy scholars across themes of aging, meaning, suffering, spirituality and humanism, and engage in reflective sharing and writing.
• Week 3: Meaning and intergenerational healing
  Frankl’s theory of meaning relates to our contemporary global challenges of intergenerational trauma and socio-political uncertainty. We’ll read excerpts from Imprint, Claire Sicherman’s 2017 memoir as a third-generation Holocaust survivor, including restorative letters to her young son. We’ll continue to share meaningful creative expressions such as writing, photography and art.
• Week 4: The call to meaning for Canada
  We’ll read excerpts from Canadian Indigenous author Bev Sellars’s residential school memoir, which reveals how deep cultural roots upheld her survival and transcendence of a dehumanizing situation. We’ll find connections between the theory of meaning to our lives, through sharing, contemplation and creativity.
• Week 5: Meaning now and in history
  Frankl’s concept of “creative values” links to readings from Joy Kogawa, who wrote bravely about Japanese-Canadian internment in B.C. during the Second World War; Iranian-Canadian memoirist Marina Nemat; and intercultural poets such as Anar Rajabali. We’ll reflect on our own family histories, sharing thoughts on humanity and reflective written or other non-verbal art forms.
• Week 6: Reflections on a call to meaning
  We’ll consider Frankl’s notion of an unconscious spirituality. We’ll ponder again the question: “How can we re-define ourselves and life’s meaning?” We’ll share meaningful forms of creative expression collected over the past few weeks, such as memoir, poetry, photography, art and artifacts.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Define and interpret Viktor Frankl’s theory of meaning from Man’s Search for Meaning
• Trace the evolution of meaning theory and the “call to meaning” for humanity with reference to fields of psychology, philosophy and literature
• Describe the socio-political, environmental and literary significance of “meaning” in our local, national and global awareness
• Consider how technology and media influences have affected our call to meaning and contemplative practices
• Reflect on how the natural world offers meaningful, peaceful sanctuary for the life journey

• Lectures
• Participation in discussions
  
• Supplementary readings and resources accessed through Canvas
  
• Sharing ideas and creative responses to the course material 
• Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online. Recommended reading: Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl, available in various formats through libraries and bookstores.