Philosophy and Film
PL 72 1-Y
Interim, 2008
Dr.
Bill Myers, HC 222, 226-4868, bmyers@bsc.edu
Online
syllabus: http://csunx4.bsc.edu/bmyers/int08.htm
Classroom:
HC 010
Course Description and
Objectives:
On the most general level, this course is an
introduction to philosophy, utilizing both film and traditional texts. We will
be making connections between the visual and imaginative features of film, and
the traditional ideas of the history of philosophy. One of the intended outcomes of this course
(in addition to the simple introduction to philosophy) is that we will become
more media and visually literate. This kind of course and the thinking that it
fosters requires us to say much more than "I like that" or "I
don't like that." We are taking works of film and plumbing their depths to
a greater degree than most of us have done. There is the added bonus that
visual representations often make the normally and sometimes abstract problems
of philosophy more real. That is, the narrative structure of the movies
embodies the problems into real stories. Hopefully, we will then see that
philosophy is not simply abstract mind-games, but it deals with real life
problems. This interim course is designated as 1-Y.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Meditations on First
Philosophy,
by Rene Descartes
The Republic, by Plato
Utilitarianism, by John Stuart Mill
Foundations for the
Metaphysics of Morals, by Immanuel Kant
A
handout or two.
EVALUATION:
Response papers: 30%
Final paper: 40%
Argument summaries: 10%
Participation and attendance: 20%
SHORT PAPERS:
The syllabus notes four chances for you to turn in a
short paper. You will be required to submit a short paper on two of these
occasions, any two of your choosing. The papers will serve as a basis for class
discussion. They should be about 3 pages long, word-processed and double-spaced,
12 point, Times New Roman. The focus of your paper should be on relating the
philosophical readings with the issues raised in the movies. A tight, focused
paper is preferred.
LONG PAPER:
Your long paper should be 8-10 pages in length. In
this paper, you are to explore in depth either one of our movies and the
relevant philosophical issues raised in it or you may explore some issue that
is raised in two or more of the movies. I will provide some further guidelines
once the semester begins. See my web page for a handout on
writing philosophy papers.
ARGUMENT SUMMARIES:
For each class period where we have a reading
assignment, you are to bring with you to class a short summary of what you take
to be the author's main point or argument. These need to be only about a page
long. If there are two readings for the class, you should do a slightly shorter
summary of each. These are fairly informal and may be hand written.
ATTENDANCE AND
PARTICIPATION:
I will take attendance at each class period. This is
the kind of course that requires attendance at all of the meetings. Absences
will affect this part of your grade, and if you miss more than 3 meetings, you will
fail the class. It is also important that we start class on time. Habitual
tardiness is irresponsible, rude, and disruptive. To discourage it, the
student's final course grade will be reduced by one point for each instance of
tardiness beyond the first two instances. No excuses will be accepted. You have
two—use them judiciously.
CLASSROOM RULES:
Two rules for the sake of courtesy: First, eating is
not allowed in HC classrooms. Don’t bring food to class. Second, turn off your
cell phone when you come to class. If I hear your cell phone ring, vibrate, or
otherwise make its presence known, you will be immediately dismissed from class
and counted absent for that day.
HONOR CODE:
All work at
TENTATIVE
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Thurs,
1/3 What is philosophy?
Mon,
1/7 What is a person? Descartes
(10:00)
Mon,
1/7 Afternoon viewing (1:00): Blade Runner
Tues, 1/8 Discussion (1:00)
Wed, 1/9 (10:00) Why be just and moral? (Short
paper day—first chance.)
Afternoon viewing (1:00): Goodfellas
Thurs,
1/10 Discussion (1:00).
Fri, 1/11 Short paper day—second chance. Turn it
in at my office by 2:00—slide it under my door.
Tues,
1/15 Morality: What makes right
actions right? (1:00)
Wed,
1/16 Afternoon viewing (1:00): Do the Right Thing
Thurs,
1/17 Discussion (1:00).
Fri, 1/18 Short paper day—third chance. Turn it
in at my office by 2:00—slide it under my door.
Tues,
1/22 Issue: Existentialism (1:00)
Wed,
1/23 Afternoon viewing (1:00): Crimes and Misdemeanors
Thurs,
1/24 Discussion (1:00).
Fri, 1/25
Short paper day—fourth chance. Turn it in at my office by 2:00—slide it
under my door.
Mon,
1/28 Optional movie day, 1:00, Being There.
1/29 Discussion or library
1/30 Discussion or library
1/31 Long papers due in my office by noon.