Film and Philosophy

As new media technologies have emerged, the practice of doing philosophy has evolved as well. Going beyond the written word, this course aims to examine philosophy as articulated through film and to view film through the lens of philosophy. Students will be introduced to film theory and its philosophical background before viewing several famous films from the past 100 years and across different cultures. Using film theory, students will analyse major films and then discuss these films as a potential medium for philosophy. Among the major philosophical topics that will be discussed are skepticism, ethics, life meaning, the problem of other minds, objectivity, and dialecticism. Students will be required to think critically about how the medium of film offers new ways of exploring philosophical concepts, either by demonstrating them through cinematography, exploring them through narrative or dialogue or offering new vehicles to engage in philosophical thinking as demonstrated through film theory. Because film is an expression of culture, this course explores films from across different cultures and uses a variety of different perspectives to help students gain a deeper appreciation for our increasingly interdependent, intertwined world. Finally, students will be encouraged to engage in creative, self-directed learning by exploring how to create film as a medium for philosophical expression.

 

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