Instructor: Karann Durland
Description: Some of the most intriguing movies and books invite us to explore classic philosophical problems. Whether the issue is personal identity, freedom, morality, the good life, or the limits of what we can know about the world, these works encourage us to reconsider how we think of ourselves and the place and time in which we live. This course explores traditional philosophical problems by drawing on literary classics, cyberpunk, historical dramas, and texts that defy classification from such authors as Gibson, Borges, Akutagawa, Goethe, Kundera, and Vonnegut. Our films include classics and cult favorites by the likes of Kurosawa, S. Coppola, Scott, and Welles. By examining these materials, we not only can enrich our understanding of important philosophical problems but position ourselves to participate in ongoing conversations about them. Students will have a range of options for engaging in these conversations, all of which combine the careful and critical thinking associated with “doing” philosophy, on the one hand, and various types of creative activity, on the other. Writing short fiction (e.g., stories, dialogues, scenes from a play), creating poetry, composing (and possibly performing) songs, drawing or painting, developing board games, and producing short videos are some of the possibilities. Since reading texts and working on creative projects take time, students who enroll in this course should expect to put in the hours that these activities require. Work of this sort, when at its best, is as rewarding as it is fun. For students who are curious about philosophical problems, who want to up their cultural literacy quotient, and who relish the opportunity to explore their creative side, this course offers a fun and rewarding way to spend a January!
Course taken for a letter grade only.
Meeting Dates: 01/02/2025 – 01/24/2025
Meeting Times: M-F 1:00PM – 4:30PM
Meeting Location: Admin 209
Section Requisites: None
Course Fee: None
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: $30