Diaries are thought to be among the most democratic and practiced form of writing, yet one of the least studied and valued. In this course, we will uncover the impact of diaries through reading a variety of examples, as well as writing our own. From the wartime diaries of Anne Frank (WWII) and Dang Thuy Tram (Vietnam War), to the private writings of artists Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Plath, diaries are a compelling source of unvarnished observation and thought. But a fundamental question remains: is it ethical to publish and read these private writings? We will probe the form and its standing in society with questions surrounding ethics, audience, purpose, and more. We will read accounts of exploration, scientific and artistic discovery, coming of age, and more. Readings of secondary sources will help contextualize the diary excerpts. Ultimately, we will attempt to answer questions such as: What can diaries illuminate about the individual and society? How did race, class, gender, location, and more impact these writings? How are diaries used in other fields and disciplines? As we read the diaries from a wide range of time and place, students will complete their own diaries and reflections, based upon the parameters presented by our studied diaries.