When Socrates was on trial for his life, he defended himself with the claim that the “unexamined life is not worth living”. While this claim may seem to be innocuous, in the case of Socrates living out this principle lead to his execution. Socrates defense in his trial is an example of what constitutes a “life worth living” or what we might call “the good life”. Socrates claims that a “bad” life is the result of ignorance. The corollary to this is that a “good” life is based on knowledge and so a good life will require the pursuit of knowledge.

This course is a philosophical study of “the good life”. What constitutes a good life? Around which principles ought one to organize one’s life? It is safe to say that Socrates view that knowledge leads to the good has not been widely accepted. The Judeo-Christian view is that a bad life is the result of an evil will, not of ignorance. A good life will be found by living in obedience to the Divine Command. Natural Law theory says that nature itself has a purpose and that the good life will found by living in accord with the purposes of nature. Social Contract theory seeks to establish human communities through agreed upon rules that will mitigate the competition for survival among individuals. Utilitarianism seeks similar goals by asking that every decision be based upon the good of the society as a whole, rather than individual interest. And finally, Egoism is an assertion of the right of each individual to seek their own happiness without regard for the claims of others.

Tentative Itinerary

Tuesday, May 6 - Depart Chicago

Wednesday, May 7 - Arrive Vienna, dinner provided, short orientation meeting

Thursday, May 8 - Walking tour of oldest sections of Innenstadt, focus on buildings reflecting the religious basis of society.

Friday, May 9 - The Reforms of Joseph II: Tour Hofburg & The Praeter

Saturday, May 10 - Tour the Ringstrasse and 19th century civic buildings; visit Jewish Quarter, Memorial Center and Synagogue

Sunday, May 11 - Attend choral High Mass at Stephansdom.

Monday, May 12 - Excursion: Melk Monastery & Mauthausen KZ

Tuesday, May 13 - Decline of the Empire and the loss of Identity                               

Wednesday, May 14 - Wiener Secession and Belvedere: Art for Art’s sake; Beauty as the ultimate good

Thursday, May 15 - Alpine Excursion: The Good Life and Nature

Friday, May 16 - Alpine Excursion continued

Saturday, May 17 - Alpine Excursion continued

Sunday, May 18 - Return to Vienna

Monday, May 19 - Wiener Secession and Belvedere

Tuesday, May 20 - Tour 20th Century architecture

Thursday, May 21 - Socrates Re-visited. Visit Sigmund Freud Museum

Wednesday, May 22 - Red Vienna

Friday, May 23 - Course Review and Wrap-up

Saturday, May 24 - Free Day

Sunday, May 25 - Free Day

Monday, May 26 - Return to Chicago

Make your course/substitution selections on your EIU Program Application. The credit hours associated with your selections may not exceed the credit hours allocated for this program: 3

Below are the choices available for this program:

Approved Substitute: None

Approved Substitute: None

Students will stay at Kolpinghaus Wien Zentral (http://www.kolping-wien-zentral.at). Breakfast provided. Students will be on their own for lunches and dinners.

At least two pre-departure orientations will be provided and are required for all participants.

Your faculty leader will hold one of these orientations, where he/she will cover information on safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country(ies), as well as planning logistics.

The Office of Study Aborad (OSA) will hold the other orientation. They will cover general information about traveling abroad to different areas of the world and facilitate a panel discussion composed of students who have already participated in faculty-led study abroad programs.

You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on your host countries. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip.

**Please be aware that you are responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date information on foreign entry requirements. The Office of Study Abroad only provides general information, as regulations and procedures are always changing. Please consult the Consulate for more information. **