When author Mitch Albom asked Morrie Schwartz to describe his ideal afterlife scenario, the answer was strikingly clear. Morrie responded, "that my consciousness goes on... that I'm part of the universe."
Regardless of our individual views on the afterlife, Morrie's wish has in fact come true. His legacy - his lasting impact on others - is that readers around the world can discover "life's greatest lesson" and apply his philosophy in our lives, with our families, and throughout our communities.
As we explore the meaning and purpose of Morrie Schwartz's life, and begin to construct our own, the following activities will help us understand the impact each of us can have when we choose to, "devote yourself loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
The book should be read in its entirety prior to class on
Wednesday, December 14th.
Regardless of our individual views on the afterlife, Morrie's wish has in fact come true. His legacy - his lasting impact on others - is that readers around the world can discover "life's greatest lesson" and apply his philosophy in our lives, with our families, and throughout our communities.
As we explore the meaning and purpose of Morrie Schwartz's life, and begin to construct our own, the following activities will help us understand the impact each of us can have when we choose to, "devote yourself loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
The book should be read in its entirety prior to class on
Wednesday, December 14th.
Activity One - The Audiovisual
Wednesday 12/7/2016
Read pages 3-23 of the text. Carefully review "The Audiovisual" on pages 18 through 23 of Tuesdays With Morrie, then watch Part One of the Nightline interviews featuring the lessons of Morrie Schwartz.
After reading the first 20 pages of the text, and watching Morrie's interview with Ted Koppel, reflect on the following questions:
1. How did Mitch's life evolve between his college graduation and the moment he saw Ted Koppel's interview?
2. On page 18 of the text, as well as within the interview, Morrie begins sharing his aphorisms. How do those aphorisms reinforce what he perceives to be his purpose in life? Which can help us begin to construct our own meaning and purpose?
3. During the interview, Morrie says to the newsman, "Ted, I'm dying... I don't have a lot of time here." What role does mortality play when it comes to creating meaning and purpose?
Homework Read the text by Wednesday, December 14. In the spirit of Morrie "jott[ing] down his thoughts on yellow pads," capture at least two specific ways this excerpt connects with your service experiences, and two aphorisms you find particularly relevant to your life and your service experiences. You will do this on (4) yellow post it notes provided in class, and they should be kept with your book.
Activity Two - Small Group Seminars
Wednesday 12/14/2016
In small groups, you will be discussing topics related to Tuesdays With Morrie. These text-based conversations will help us better understand Morrie's purpose and meaning, and how his message can help us craft our own. To prepare for these seminars, as well as the upcoming midterm conferences, each student is expected to prepare the discussion questions listed below.
Wednesday 12/14/2016
In small groups, you will be discussing topics related to Tuesdays With Morrie. These text-based conversations will help us better understand Morrie's purpose and meaning, and how his message can help us craft our own. To prepare for these seminars, as well as the upcoming midterm conferences, each student is expected to prepare the discussion questions listed below.
Morrie believed, “You have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. Create your own” (35-36). What “culture” did Morrie create, and how does it contribute to his legacy? What other people do you know who “create” their own culture, or intentionally design their legacy? How might people do this? What does it really mean to create your own culture?
Who do you think got more out of their Tuesday meetings, Mitch or Morrie? In what ways? What is the meaning and purpose of their discussions for you? For society?
After reading this book, what do you think the meaning of life is? How did this reading lead you to this conclusion?
Beginning on page 18, Morrie shares his aphorisms about essential components of life. Select one aphorism that relates to you personally. This may be a philosophy you believe in, a legacy you want to leave for others, or an attitude you are trying to develop. Explain the specific context in which Morrie shared this aphorism with others. Then share in detail why/how this statement is personally relevant.
Select an aphorism that relates to your service experience. It may be an attitude that your service supervisor demonstrates, the impact of your service site, or even an example captured by a client or student your work with. Explain the specific context in which Morrie shared this aphorism with others. Then share in detail why/how this statement connects with your service experience.
Select an aphorism that relates to the Perry Service Learning Program. It can be a belief that the program demonstrates, or a legacy we should work to create. Explain the specific context in which Morrie shared this aphorism with others. Then share in detail why/how this statement connections with PSL.
Develop and answer your own discussion question. This should be an idea or concept you want to explore with your classmates. The question (and subsequent answer) must specifically relate to Tuesdays With Morrie, and should be broad enough to support an extended conversation amongst readers.
Who do you think got more out of their Tuesday meetings, Mitch or Morrie? In what ways? What is the meaning and purpose of their discussions for you? For society?
After reading this book, what do you think the meaning of life is? How did this reading lead you to this conclusion?
Beginning on page 18, Morrie shares his aphorisms about essential components of life. Select one aphorism that relates to you personally. This may be a philosophy you believe in, a legacy you want to leave for others, or an attitude you are trying to develop. Explain the specific context in which Morrie shared this aphorism with others. Then share in detail why/how this statement is personally relevant.
Select an aphorism that relates to your service experience. It may be an attitude that your service supervisor demonstrates, the impact of your service site, or even an example captured by a client or student your work with. Explain the specific context in which Morrie shared this aphorism with others. Then share in detail why/how this statement connects with your service experience.
Select an aphorism that relates to the Perry Service Learning Program. It can be a belief that the program demonstrates, or a legacy we should work to create. Explain the specific context in which Morrie shared this aphorism with others. Then share in detail why/how this statement connections with PSL.
Develop and answer your own discussion question. This should be an idea or concept you want to explore with your classmates. The question (and subsequent answer) must specifically relate to Tuesdays With Morrie, and should be broad enough to support an extended conversation amongst readers.
Activity Three - Comparative Legacies
Friday, 12/16/2016
Closely read Anna Mae Seaver Halgrim's essay "My World Now." Compare and contrast her experience with those of Morrie Schwartz.
Reflect on the following questions:
1. Why might have Halgrim's son chosen to publish this in a national magazine? What conversation(s) does this article generate within families, and in society?
2. Are there any common themes that exist between your individual legacy stories, and the experiences of those we have read about and/or met?
2. To what degree is crafting a legacy an individual act? When (if ever) does it require collaboration?
Friday, 12/16/2016
Closely read Anna Mae Seaver Halgrim's essay "My World Now." Compare and contrast her experience with those of Morrie Schwartz.
Reflect on the following questions:
1. Why might have Halgrim's son chosen to publish this in a national magazine? What conversation(s) does this article generate within families, and in society?
2. Are there any common themes that exist between your individual legacy stories, and the experiences of those we have read about and/or met?
2. To what degree is crafting a legacy an individual act? When (if ever) does it require collaboration?
my_now_world_-_anna_mae_seaver_halgrim.docx |