UNDERGRADUATE WORKING GROUP

On Friendship

The Undergraduate Working Group is an opportunity for undergraduate students and recent graduates to discuss the necessities of deep thinking and good intellectual work.

The Spring working group, "On Friendship,” will provide students with resources for understanding the value of all kinds of friendships they will encounter throughout their undergraduate career. Through conversations with Senior Fellows and faculty, we will discuss the value and contingencies of friendship. Some questions may include: What is the nature of friendship? Does it require necessary conditions? Are there evaluative measures to determine whether a friendship is worthwhile? And, what social value does it offer and what ends does it serve? 

We ask that students commit to attending all scheduled events (see below for more details). This program is free for undergraduate students and recent graduates.

Please reach out to info@binst.org with any questions.

Dates: throughout the Spring 2025 semester

Location: Berkeley Institute (2134 Allston Way, 2nd floor)

  • Session 1: Theorizing Friendship

    facilitated by Dr. Monica Mikhail

    Thursday, February 20 from 5:30-7PM

    What responsibilities does friendship requires of us? Are there core components that define every friendship? In this first session, our working group will consider different theories for understanding friendships and the value inherent in each framework. In addition to the theoretical, we'll also examine practical approaches to nurturing the  various friendships that shape our lives.

  • Session 2: Complexities of Friendship

    Excursion

    Thursday, February 27 at 8PM

    meet at 7:40PM at Berkeley Repertory Theatre (2025 Addison St)

    The Thing About Jellyfish
    Performance at Berkeley Repertory Theatre

  • Session 3: Friendship in a Digital Age

    facilitated by Professor Anselm Ramelow, O.P.

    Thursday, March 13 from 5:30-7PM

  • Session 4: The Value of Sub-Optimal Friendships

    facilitated by Dr. Dena Fehrenbacher

    Thursday, April 10 from 5:30-7PM

    In a contemporary culture that beckons us to optimize everything (our schedules, our diet, our professional aspirations), and with the increasing ability to filter who we choose to build relationships through online platforms, why might it be important for our friendship to not also optimized? With some examples from literature and philosophy, we'll consider why it is good for friendships to be difficult and require the inconvenience of commitment. 

  • Session 5: Intellectual Friendship

    Dinner Conclusion

    Thursday, April 24 from 5:30-7PM

    Our last session will conclude the conversations of the semester.