Philosophy 5: Philosophy, Art and Film: Philosophy Through Film
The Pennsylvania State University
Fall Semester 2017
Dr. Peter Wolf
Email: pmw117@psu.edu
Tues-Thur 12:05 PM-1:20 PM
Earth and Engineering Sciences 121
Required Text:
Falzon, Christopher: Philosophy Goes to the Movies: An Introduction to Philosophy 3rd Edition (Book my be purchased at the Barnes and Noble Textbooks in the HUB)
Course Overview
From the course catalogue:
“Explores relations between images and reality, representation and culture, and beauty and politics through film, artworks, and aesthetic theories.”
Philosophy 5: Philosophy Through Film aims to instruct the beginning student in basic lessons of philosophy through the viewing and critical analysis of six films specifically selected for their presentation of fundamental philosophical themes. Phil 5 makes an excellent introduction to philosophy for students interested in art, film, representation, and creativity. It includes an examination of historical and contemporary thought through films and videos, in-class presentations, readings, discussions, and student writings. These activities will allow students to gain an understanding of diverse, often competing, perspectives on basic human problems and the great influence of film and images in contemporary life. Students will examine diverse viewpoints that will allow them to understand a wide range of views and challenge them to defend their own positions. This course involves active use of writing, speaking, and group projects. It provides opportunities for gathering information, analyzing problems, synthesizing diverse perspectives, and developing one's own thought and the reasons for it by linking theory to practice.
The required text critically analyzes films such as Antz, Crimes and Misdemeanors, All of Me, Tale of Despereaux, The Truman Show, and Brazil lend themselves to philosophical interpretation thanks to the use of analogy, allegory and distantiation.
My Expectations
My role as instructor is to ensure a safe classroom environment where each student can develop to the best of their ability. Students are expected to participate in every class to the best of their ability---to ensure this, class attendance and participation by far count as the majority of the possible grade. Students are expected to respect the class experience, their fellow classmates and the teacher. All distractive behavior, and conversation that does not lead to the goal of learning ethics will detract from in-class/participation points. Every student is expected to take notes, to listen attentively when their fellow classmates speak. Students are expected to bring a positive attitude and an open-mind to every discussion and class. Examples of distractions include: cell phone use, iphones, blackberries, etc.; conversations not related to the course content or any type of private conversations that are not relevant to the class, lateness, leaving class early.
Disclaimer
Please be advised that we will encounter material in this course that may seem offensive to some students in terms of strong language or subject matter.
Lecture Notes to be taken in real notebook-
No computer note-taking.
Academic Integrity
Students who cheat, plagiarize, commit fraud, etc...Consequences in light cases may include failing grade on an exam, essay or course. In serious cases, academic dishonesty may result in permanent expulsion from the university. For details see The Student Guide to University Policies and Rules. http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/integrity/student_resources.shtml
Class Cancellation
In the event of snow or other inclement weather forcing a delay or closing on campus, class may be cancelled. Unless you hear from either the instructor or Penn State that class has been cancelled, there will be class and you are expected to attend.
Attendance Policy
To obtain all class points students are expected to attend all classes and to be present for the entire class session. The teacher grants two unexcused absences.
Disclaimer
Please be advised that we will encounter material in this course that may seem offensive to some students in terms of strong language or subject matter.
Cell Phones/ Texting Policy
Students will refrain from using cell phones, blackberries, palm pilots, etc. in class. Turn off ringers during class sessions. Their presence and use during class time is considered a breach of etiquette. Students caught texting, ringing phones, etc. will lose grade points.
Pop quizzes are not intended to be difficult; their primary purpose is to ensure that everyone is keeping up with the material. There will be no make-up quizzes.
Class discussion is very important in an issues-oriented class, so your participation is counted toward your final grade. If you are uncomfortable talking in class you may use alternative means to contribute to your class discussion grade, e.g., handing in written comments, contacting me outside of class, etc. Poor attendance will affect your discussion grade adversely.
Tentative Course Schedule and Assignments
(Instructor reserves the right to update the syllabus)
WEEK ONE: Opening Moves
August 22: Class Begins: lecture One: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and The Philosophical Hero
August 24: First reading assignment: Falzon, Introduction and Chapter one, pp 1-48.
WEEK TWO: First Film: A Tale of Despereaux-2008
August 29: Lecture Note #1 Due View Film
August 31:View Film
WEEK THREE: Discussion
September 5: Discussion: Despereaux
September 7: Film Reaction #1 Lecture: On the Soul and Identity
WEEK FOUR: All of Me-1984
September 12: Lecture Note #2 Due View Film
September 14: View Film
WEEK FIVE : Discussion and lecture
September 19: ‘All of Me’ Class discussion.
September 21: Film Reaction #2 Due: Lecture #3: Ethical Themes in Crimes and Misdemeanors
WEEK SIX: Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
September 26: Lecture Note #3 Due View Film
September 28: View Film
WEEK SEVEN: Discussion and Lecture
October 3: Crimes and Misdemeanors: Class Discussion
October 5: Film Reaction #3 Due: Lecture #4: Social and Political Themes in ‘Antz’
WEEK EIGHT: Antz-1998
October 10: Lecture Note #4 Due: View Antz
October 12: View film.
WEEK NINE: Discussion and Lecture
October 17: Antz Class Discussion
October 19: Film Reaction #4 due: Lecture #5: Utopia or Dystopia: The Truman Show
WEEK TEN: The Truman Show-1998
October 24: Lecture Note #5 Due: View the Truman Show
October 26: View the Truman Show
WEEK ELEVEN: Discussion and Lecture
October 31: Discussion: The Truman Show
November 2: Film Reaction #5 Due; Lecture #6: Dystopic Themes
WEEK TWELVE: Brazil-1985
November 7: Lecture Note #6 Due: View Brazil
November 9: View Brazil
WEEK THIRTEEN:
November 14: Discussion: Brazil
November 16: Film reaction #6 Due
WEEK FOURTEEN: Thanksgiving Break-No Classes
WEEK FIFTEEN: Conclusion
November 28: Lecture: Philosophy through Film
November 30: Discussion
Week Sixteen:
December 5: Final Lecture Note Due
December 7: Class Celebration
Grading Rubric
- 6 Weekly lecture Notes @5 points =30 points
- 6 Film Reactions: @10 points= 60 points
- 2 Quizzes: @ 5 points=10 Points
- Attendance and Participation: 40 points
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Total 140 pts. [the ‘94’ grade (A) equals 131.6 points or better]
Letter Grades
- A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
- B
- B-
- C+
- C
- D
- F
Assignments are due on the teacher’s desk at the beginning of each class session (hard copy---e-mailed assignments are not accepted). Late work is not accepted. Make-up tests will lose credit.
