To See The One That Sees You
Janne Teller
About the Course
Who are we? What defines our identity? In this course, Janne Teller rejects the current fashionable definition of identity based on external markers, such as nationality, religion, job and sexuality. Instead, she argues that we should define our identity more dynamically, based predominantly on our inner characteristics, enabling us to better understand and interact with people of other 'identities'.
By the end of the course, you will have learned:
- The origins and history of identity.
- The problems with our current markers of identity.
- The importance of art in uniting people with different identites.
- What our 'essence' is, and why it is important.
- A utopian vision for how we should define ourselves, and how this will affect society as a whole.
As part of the course there are in-video quiz questions to consolidate your learning, and discussion boards to have your say.
IAI Academy courses are designed to be challenging but accessible to the interested student. No specialist knowledge is required.
About the Instructor
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Janne Teller
Janne Teller is a critically-acclaimed writer of novels, essays, and short stories. Teller’s work includes existential themes on a grand scale which often spark controversial debate. Her novels include Odin's Island, a modern Nordic saga of politics, history and religion, Europa, All that you Lack which explores history in war and love, and Come, an existential novel about ethics in art and modern life.
Teller has received many literary awards including the Drassow’s Prize for literary works towards peace and human understanding and her work has been translated into over 25 languages. Before she began writing full-time, Janne studied macro economics and worked as a conflict advisor for the EU and UN, mostly in Africa.
Course Syllabus
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Part One: What is 'identity'?How did the idea of 'identity' come about? And how do we define ourselves today?
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Part Two: In search of the essenceIn this section, Janne Teller explores the essence, the power of literature and a utopian ideal of identity
